The seventh season of the acclaimed BBC police drama Line of Duty is set to premiere earlier than originally anticipated, with the new episodes scheduled to debut in late January 2024. This marks a shift from the series’ traditional late March release, reducing the wait for fans to just over two months. The show, starring Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar, had last aired five years ago, heightening anticipation for its return.
BBC executives reportedly advanced the air date after reviewing early edits of the new season, expressing satisfaction with the content. An industry source noted that moving the premiere to January signals confidence in the series, as this period is typically reserved by the broadcaster for flagship dramas. Previous shows, including Sherlock and The Night Manager, have also benefited from early-year launches following different initial airings.
Since its debut on BBC Two in summer 2012, Line of Duty’s run has varied: the second series aired from February to March 2014, while series three through six consistently premiered in late March. The revised schedule for the seventh season may also indicate a quicker production pace for potential future installments, although no official confirmation on an eighth series has been made.
Across the television landscape, several other notable productions are generating interest. The second season of the spy thriller Black Doves, featuring Ben Whishaw as an assassin, will be available on Netflix starting Thursday. Whishaw shared that Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin reached out to express his enthusiasm for the show. Black Doves follows a gripping espionage narrative and has garnered a growing audience since its initial season.
In the realm of British soap operas, actress Lacey Turner, currently a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, expressed hope to reprise her role as Stacey Slater on EastEnders after her exit last year. Turner reflected on the impact of the character, calling the opportunity to revisit Stacey “a joy” and acknowledging the compelling storylines that shaped the role over two decades.
Welsh BBC Two comedy Mammoth is returning for a third series early next year. The show follows Tony, a frozen teacher thawed in the present day, now complemented by new cast additions including Elizabeth Berrington, Freddie Meredith, and Mark Benton. Filmed around Cardiff, the five-part series continues to explore comedic scenarios rooted in Tony’s adjustment to modern life and family developments.
Meanwhile, Rula Lenska, familiar to Coronation Street fans as Claudia Colby, has filmed a guest appearance for the upcoming fourth series of the mystery drama The Good Ship Murder. Lenska’s role as a Baroness was shot on location in Malta and is set to air on Channel 5 in early 2027, with a holiday special scheduled for the festive season. The series stars Shayne Ward as cruise ship detective Jack Grayling.
Netflix has confirmed a renewal for the political drama The Diplomat following its fourth season, which concluded with a pivotal moment for Ambassador Kate Wyler, played by Keri Russell, and her husband Vice President Hal Wyler, portrayed by Rufus Sewell.
On the BBC, a new supernatural drama titled The Witch Farm, featuring Michael Socha and Gabrielle Creevy, will premiere on November 29. The four-part series, set in 1989 South Wales and inspired by true events, will be available on BBC One and iPlayer.
In other developments, Paul Bettany, known for his role as Vision in the Marvel universe, disclosed that he sustained minor eye injuries while filming VisionQuest, a Disney+ spin-off of WandaVision. Bettany described overacting during intense scenes as the cause of multiple burst blood vessels in his eyes.
These upcoming releases and returns underscore a busy 2024 slate for British and international television, offering a blend of drama, comedy, and intrigue across multiple platforms.