Line Of Duty filming 'paused' due to Belfast riots
The filming on the new series of police drama Line Of Duty was "paused" after riots broke out in Belfast, Northern Ireland earlier this month.
Filming on Line Of Duty was "paused" after riots broke out in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The police drama is returning for a seventh series five years after the last episodes aired in 2021 and the cast and crew have been busy filming on the streets of Belfast, but castmember Adrian Dunbar - who plays Ted Hastings - has now explained the shoot had to be put on hold after the city was thrown into turmoil as scenes of violent unrest unfolded there earlier this month following a knife attack by a Sudanese man.
During an appearance on radio station RTE Radio 1: "Adrian explained: "We did have to pause for the riots and that wasn’t great. There’s a lot of stuff being stirred up in Ireland at the minute and there’s a lot of social media stirred a lot of pots here, and a lot of idle hands sitting around were able to get out of the street.
"I think the demonstration that happened a few days later by the people of Belfast shows you what the real sentiment is here towards immigrants and this is just a small minority of people who are allowed to get on the street, so it was really unfortunate."
As well as being held up by the riots, the show also suffered another setback when fellow castmember Martin Compston was injured during filming in an incident with an Airsoft gun, which are used to replace real weapons on TV and film sets.
However, Adrian is adamant the real challenge during filming has been dealing with the weather as it's rained a lot over the last few weeks and the cast and drew have been getting "drenched" while shooting outdoors.
The actor added: "In between the showers it’s going pretty well – there’s a lot of showers coming in, we’re getting drenched to tell you the truth."
Line Of Duty - created by Jed Mercurio - was believed to have ended after the conclusion of season six in 2021 but TV bosses later confirmed the drama would be heading back to TV with the upcoming series seven, which is due to air in 2027.
The sixth series ended with the identity of the mysterious character 'H' - the criminal hunted for years by the AC-12 anti-corruption unit - being unmasked as Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells, played by Nigel Boyle.
However, a recent report suggested the ending could be a red herring.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "There was genuine anger about the way series six ended and that was part of the reason that a seventh outing was ordered.
"But this is the first time that there's been any news on whether they'll bring back the 'H' storyline – and devotees will be thrilled to hear Jed will be giving them just what they want.
"Although there is still likely to be a new villain introduced into the new season, just as there has been with every series since the show was launched. "But the incoming baddie's storyline is likely to be intertwined with that of 'H' in a sensational double-whammy."
