Line of Duty is officially coming back for its seventh series, starring Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar, and Martin Compston, a show that has captivated audiences, pulling in over 16 million viewers.

On Newstalk Daily, Tara Duggan delves into the excitement surrounding the return of one of the most-watched dramas of the century.

Brendan O’Loughlin, co-host of 98FM’s Big Breakfast and one of the voices behind the fan podcast Shrine of Duty, said the hype is “over the top and completely deserved.”

“I think in the world we're living in at the moment, we need season seven of Line of Duty,” he told the show. 

Line of Duty is appointment TV. Every episode requires full concentration, perfect for fans who love trying to figure out the twists before anyone else, O’Loughlin explained:

“If you love watching something that you can’t figure out, that drives you insane, this is the show for you.”

The show’s success comes from the creator Jed Mercurio, who has crafted three very individual characters. 

Line of Duty, Photo: PAImages.co.uk

For Irish audiences, Adrian Dunbar brings extra charm with his one-liners and classic Ted-isms, like:

 “Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey!”

Though filmed in Belfast, the series is set in the UK. The BBC has already teased a glimpse of what’s to come, including the introduction of Detective Inspector Dominic Goff, already setting up another intense season.

Shrine of Duty podcast is back

Fans of the show can also rejoice that Shrine of Duty, the popular podcast hosted by Brendan, Hannah, and Rebecca, is back. The podcast dives deep into Line of Duty’s conspiracy theories.

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure if this day would ever come… We actually cannot believe we’re getting another season of Line of Duty - and another season of Shrine of Duty,” said Tara.

The podcast has grown because Line of Duty isn’t just Television, it’s a weekly puzzle, O’Loughlin added:

“When it’s appointment TV, a Sunday evening and seven days to wait, you need something to fill the space. Everyone’s trying to guess where it’s going. You have to be an armchair detective.”

Written by Annemarie Roberts