Robert Carlyle has been cast as the guest lead in the seventh installment of Jed Mercurio‘s hit BBC crime thriller “Line of Duty.”
The BAFTA-winning actor, known for his roles in “Trainspotting,” “The Full Monty” and “28 Weeks Later,” will play Detective Constable Shaun Massie when the series begins filming this spring. Made for the BBC by World Productions, the new series is set to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next year.
Carlyle joins returning series leads Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, and is the first new cast member unveiled for the upcoming run. He follows a distinguished line of guest leads that has included Kelly Macdonald, Stephen Graham, Thandiwe Newton, Daniel Mays, Keeley Hawes and Lennie James.
DC Shaun Massie is a Specialist Rifle Officer and veteran marksman operating with Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7), tasked with taking down Organized Crime Groups. Described as a gruff loner who keeps to himself, Massie’s detached demeanor changes drastically when his commanding officer, DI Dominic Gough, is accused of being a sexual predator.
The new series picks up with AC-12 disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards, with Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming and Ted Hastings assigned their most sensitive case yet in what is described as an increasingly challenging climate for anticorruption work.
“Having been a huge admirer of Jed Mercurio’s work for many years, I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to join such an exceptional cast for series 7 of ‘Line of Duty,’” Carlyle said. “The scripts for the series are excellent and will absolutely maintain the quality that the audience have come to expect from this fantastic show. DC Massie is an extraordinary character and I look forward to bringing him to life.”
Mercurio, who writes and creates the series and will direct episodes four through six, added: “Robert always brings mesmerising power and depth to every role; I know viewers will be on the edge of their seats wondering what his character will do next, and why.”
World Productions CEO and creative director Simon Heath said: “As a young script editor starting out in the 90s, I was blown away by Robert’s stunning performances in ‘Trainspotting’ and ‘Cracker,’ so it’s a particular thrill to be working with him now.”
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, added: “Robert Carlyle is one of our greatest actors and the perfect fit for the phenomenon that is ‘Line of Duty.’
Jennie Darnell will direct the first three episodes, with Ken Horn serving as producer. Executive producers are Mercurio, Heath for World Productions and Nick Lambon for the BBC. The series will once again film in Belfast with support from Northern Ireland Screen. World Productions, part of ITV Studios, is handling international distribution.
Seasons 1-6 of “Line of Duty” are currently streaming on BBC iPlayer.