Martin Compston has teased that Line of Duty season 7 marks an end to the story to date – but not necessarily to the show itself.
The actor, best known for playing AC-12's Steve Arnott, appeared on The One Show last night to promote his new documentary, Living Las Vegas, on Channel 4.
Inevitably, the conversation touched on Line of Duty's hotly anticipated return to our screens next year, reuniting Compston with longtime co-stars Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar.
Teasing what's in store for the embattled anti-corruption cops this time, he revealed that it was "definitely the hardest" season to film of the bunch.
"It was a pretty brutal shoot, but I think it's because what we're trying to achieve is really ambitious," explained Compston.
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"The sheer amount of interview scenes in this one is something we've never done. So, just as a mental test [it was challenging].
"We really had to rely on each other when one of us is having a down day, just going like, 'I don't know how I'm going to learn an 18-page scene in the next couple of days'."
Pushed on his thoughts on season 7, Compston was conscious that he didn't want to sound like a band member "flogging their next album". However, he seemed confident it was one of, if not , best Line of Duty so far.
"I don’t know if it's the end of Line of Duty – that would be for Jed Mercurio to say – but it's the end of the story arc," the Red Eye and Revenge Club star continued.
"It's the end of everything that's been building since series 1. Everything is coming to a head and it's pretty explosive."
Compston chalked the success of the new season up to Mercurio's careful planning, assuring viewers that the story was "fully formed" when cameras began rolling.
In stark contrast, the actor recalled working on shows that were only part-written at the start of production, and seeing first-hand how they can fall apart when the final scripts arrive.
"We knew exactly what Jed wanted to do with it. I think, hopefully, it's going to be everything that the fans wanted," added Compston.
Earlier this week, co-star Dunbar teased more unusual phrases from Ted Hastings in season 7. Meanwhile, at the National Television Awards, McClure walked away with an acting trophy for her turn in Trigger Point.
Line of Duty season 7 is coming to BBC One and iPlayer in 2027.
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