Line of Duty series 6 resumes filming after halting production due to Covid-19

Filming has resumed on the sixth series of hit crime drama Line of Duty .

The BBC One thriller was forced to shut down production earlier this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the time has now come for the series to get back to work with the promise of new episodes arriving in 2021, with actor Martin Compston even sharing some images from the set on Instagram.

In addition to the usual players, the guest star of series six will be Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald.

She will play Detective Chief Inspector Joanne Davidson, who is investigating an unsolved murder and prompts AC-12 to question her conduct.

The previous five series featured guest actors as series-long major players.

Martin Compston shared a photo from the set of Line of Duty series six (Instagram)

The first series featured Lennie James, the second focused on Keeley Hawes, the third on Daniel Mays, the fourth on Thandie Newton, and the recent fifth run on Stephen Graham.

On returning to filming the new episodes, the series's creator and showrunner Jed Mercurio, said: "We know Line of Duty fans are desperate for series six and we hope we can get it on air as soon as possible.

"Thanks so much for your patience in these difficult times."

Adrian Dunbar, Kelly McDonald, Martin Compston and Vicky McClure at the read-through for the next series of Line of Duty last year (PA)

Meanwhile, Scottish actor Martin Compston who plays DS Steve Arnott), said: "It’s been a long few months and it will be a different way of working from when we stopped, but I’m delighted to be back on the case with the Line Of Duty team!"

Elsewhere, DI Kate Fleming actress Vicky McClure said: "Been sitting on these incredible scripts for some time now, so I’m really looking forward to getting back to it and seeing the Line Of Duty family."

Line Of Duty will be back to thrill fans next year (BBC/World Productions Ltd)

Adrian Dunbar, who plays big boss Supt. Ted Hastings, added: "Even with the imposition of Covid restrictions I can't hide my excitement at getting the team back together.

"So many people wondering… what happens next?"

Finally, Simon Heath, Executive Producer for World Productions, commented: "It’s been almost six months since we stopped shooting, but following our implementation of all the industry Covid protocols, we’re delighted to be able to resume filming series six safely."

Line of Duty series 1 to 5 are available now on BBC iPlayer, while series 6 will air on BBC One next year.