Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle joins Line of Duty cast

Scottish actor Robert Carlyle is set to star as the guest lead in the new series of Line of Duty.

The Bafta-winning actor, known for Trainspotting and The Full Monty, will portray specialist rifle officer Det Con Shaun Massie in the seventh series of the BBC show.

The 64-year-old joins actors Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, who will reprise their roles in the next instalment of Jed Mercurio's hit crime thriller.

The show is set to start filming in Belfast in the spring before being broadcast next year.

The last series concluded in 2021 with a finale that attracted more than 17 million viewers.

Glasgow-born Carlyle said: "Having been a huge admirer of 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 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."

The upcoming six-episode series will follow the anti-corruption unit AC-12, after being disbanded and rebranded as the Inspectorate of Police Standards, as the team members are assigned their most sensitive case so far.

Carlyle's character, a veteran marksman described as a "gruff loner", will be tasked with taking down organised crime groups.

However, everything changes when his boss, DI Dominic Gough, is accused of being a sexual predator.

The Scottish actor follows in the footsteps of previous Line Of Duty guest series leads including Trainspotting co-star Kelly Macdonald, Adolescence actor Stephen Graham and Westworld actress Thandiwe Newton.

Series writer Mercurio said: "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."

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, added: "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 launched in 2012 and went on to become one of the most popular TV drams of the last decade.

Its seventh series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next year.