Robert Carlyle joins Line of Duty for series seven

The Guardian - World NewsEN 2 min read 100% complete by Kevin Rawlinson and agencyFebruary 19, 2026 at 03:12 PM

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Robert Carlyle has joined the cast of Line of Duty for its seventh series, playing Specialist Rifle Officer DC Shaun Massie. The role follows his co-stars Kelly Macdonald, Stephen Graham, and Thandiwe Newton. Carlyle will appear alongside Vicky McClure, who reprises her role as Kate Fleming, and Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar, who return in their roles. The series will follow the anti-corruption unit AC-12 after it is disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards. Series seven is set to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next year, with Carlyle's character tasked with taking down organised crime groups as part of Tactical Operations Unit 7. The show's creator, Jed Mercurio, expressed his excitement about working with Carlyle, describing him as "mesmerising power" and a "career highlight".

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Stephen Graham 50% Martin Compston 50% Adrian Dunbar 50% Thandiwe Newton 50% Kelly Macdonald 50% Vicky McClure ×260% AC-12 60% BBC ×270% Shaun Massie ×270% Jed Mercurio ×270% Line of Duty ×590% Robert Carlyle ×790%

Keywords

line of duty 100% robert carlyle 90% series seven 80% bbc 70% anti-corruption unit 60% police procedural 60% jed mercurio 50% dc shaun massie 50% organized crime 40%

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Positive

Score: 0.40

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The Guardian - World News

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90%

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line of duty robert carlyle series seven bbc anti-corruption unit police procedural jed mercurio dc shaun massie organized crime

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