First look images released of new Line Of Duty as filming begins for series six

Adrian Dunbar and Martin Compston are among Line Of Duty stars that have been captured on set filming for the sixth series of the hit BBC police drama.

While favourite characters return for Jed Mercurio's latest installment including Vicky McClure, there will be a number of new faces to star in the thriller - which is due to air later this year.

A tweet from the BBC press office said: "Mother. Of. God. First look images released as filming begins on series six of #LineOfDuty."

Series six is set a year and a half on from the events of the previous series, and will feature a brand new case for AC-12 focused on an enigmatic Detective Chief Inspector.

Kelly Macdonald will star as the DCI in question - Joanne Davidson - a senior investigating officer on an unsolved murder case.

Martin Compston AKA Steve Arnott appears to be holding a meeting in one of the scenes (PA)

Joining Line Of Duty cast for the first time this series are Shalom Brune-Franklin (Our Girl, Cursed), Perry Fitzpatrick (This Is England, I Am Nicola), Andi Osho (Kiri, Curfew) and Prasanna Puwanarajah (Doctor Foster, Patrick Melrose).

The fifth series aired last year, with Stephen Graham in the guest lead role as Detective Sergeant John Corbett.

Its final episode drew more than nine million viewers in May, making it the most-watched drama since Mercurio’s Bodyguard, which aired in 2018.

All previous series are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.