Robert Carlyle joins Line of Duty
Robert Carlyle will join the seventh season of Line of Duty as a guest series lead.
Robert Carlyle is joining Line of Duty.
The BAFTA-winning actor is "delighted" to have been cast as the "extraordinary" Detective Constable Shaun Massie - a guest series lead - in the highly-anticipated seventh series of the BBC crime drama next year.
Robert, 64, said: "Having been a huge admirer of [show creator-and-writer] Jed Mercurio’s work for many years, I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to join such an exceptional cast for series seven of Line of Duty."
The actor - who will join the show's main stars, Vicky McClure, 42, Martin Compston, 41, and 67 year old Adrian Dunbar - has teased that viewers are in for a treat when the programme returns in 2027.
Robert continued: "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."
Detective Constable Shaun Massie is a Specialist Rifle Officer (SRO), a veteran marksman, operating with Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7) to take down Organised Crime Groups.
A gruff loner, Massie keeps himself to himself, but when his boss, TO-7's commanding officer DI Dominic Gough, is accused of being a sexual predator, Massie's otherwise detached demeanour changes drastically.
Robert joins an exclusive club of past Line of Duty guest series leads, including Kelly Macdonald, 49, Stephen Graham, 52, Thandiwe Newton, 53, Daniel Mays, 47, Keeley Hawes, 50, and 60 year old Lennie James.
Jed, 60, is "thrilled" by Robert's signing and declared working with him as a "career highlight".
Jed said: "On Line of Duty we've been honoured by the glittering guest leads who've joined the cast over the years.
"We couldn't be more thrilled that Robert Carlyle will star in series seven as Specialist Rifle Officer Shaun Massie. I've been a huge fan of Robert's work for many years, and it will be a career highlight to work with him.
"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."
In series seven, AC-12 have been disbanded and rebranded the Inspectorate of Police Standards.
Anticorruption work has never been more difficult, and in this challenging climate, Steve Arnott (Martin), Kate Fleming (Vicky), and Ted Hastings (Adrian) are assigned their most sensitive case so far.
And Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, thinks Robert is a perfect addition for the series.
She said: "Sometimes a piece of casting feels so right that you just can't imagine anyone else. Robert Carlyle is one of our greatest actors and the perfect fit for the phenomenon that is Line of Duty."
Line of Duty series seven is made by It is made by World Productions, part of ITV Studios, which is handling international distribution.
Simon Heath, World Productions’ CEO and Creative Director, said of Robert's signing: "It’s one of the privileges of Line of Duty to have the opportunity to work with so many actors I’ve admired over the years.
"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."
Series one to six of Line of Duty are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
Further information about the return of Line of Duty will be announced in due course.
