Robert Carlyle joins Line of Duty for series seven

Acclaimed actor will take on guest lead role as a specialist firearms officer in hit BBC crime drama

Robert Carlyle will join the cast of Line of Duty to play a guest lead role in the new series, it has been announced.

The actor follows his Trainspotting co-star Kelly Macdonald, as well as Stephen Graham – the creator and star of Adolescence – and the Westworld actor Thandiwe Newton, in taking on such a role.

Carlyle, who is also known for films such as The Full Monty and 28 Weeks Later, will portray the specialist rifle officer DC Shaun Massie in the seventh series of the BBC show.

Carlyle said he had been a “huge admirer” of the series creator Jed Mercurio’s work, adding: “I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to join such an exceptional cast for series seven of Line of Duty.

“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.”

Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar will reprise their roles in the next instalment, which is due to air next year. It will follow the anti-corruption unit AC-12, after being disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards.

Carlyle’s character, a veteran marksman described as a “gruff loner”, will be tasked with taking down organised crime groups as part of the Tactical Operations Unit 7 (TO-7). His boss, DI Dominic Gough, is accused of being a sexual predator.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled that Robert Carlyle will star in series seven as Specialist Rifle Officer Shaun Massie,” Mercurio said.

“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.”

Lindsay Salt, the director of BBC Drama, 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 will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next year.