Line of Duty: where it’s streaming now in the UK and beyond

BBC has released a first-look preview of Line of Duty season 7, confirming that AC-12 will be back in early 2027 — giving fans time now to catch up. With season 6 already complete, here’s how to watch the latest run legally and, for UK viewers, free of charge.

How to watch season 6 free in the UK

All seven episodes of Line of Duty season 6 were broadcast on BBC One and are available on BBC iPlayer. The service offers on-demand playback of recent episodes at no extra cost, but streaming from iPlayer requires possession of a valid UK TV licence.

Because the series has already aired, you can binge the full season now on iPlayer. That’s the simplest route for viewers inside the UK who want to refresh the storyline before season 7 arrives.

Options for viewers outside the UK

Broadcast rights differ by territory, so availability varies. If you are not in the UK, you will usually need a regional streaming subscription where rights have been sold, or you can use a reputable commercial VPN to access the service tied to your home country — keeping in mind that VPN use may contravene a service’s terms of use and is subject to local law.

• United States — Season 6 is handled by BritBox in the US. Episodes began rolling out on the platform in May. BritBox also carries earlier seasons, while other services such as AcornTV or Amazon may host older series.
• Australia — BritBox holds rights in Australia as well; new episodes were released there on a weekly schedule starting in April.
• Canada — Earlier seasons can be found on services like Amazon Prime Video and, in some cases, Netflix; availability of season 6 depends on local licensing windows.
• Anywhere — If a regional service in your country does not carry season 6, viewers commonly use a reputable commercial VPN to connect to a country that does and then stream via that country’s platform. Choose a provider with strong privacy practices and consistent streaming performance.

Quick practical steps to stream from abroad

1) Sign up for the streaming service that holds the rights in the country you want to appear to be in (for example, BBC iPlayer in the UK or BritBox where it’s available).

2) If you opt for a VPN, install a well-known, regularly updated client on your device, select a server in the appropriate country and connect.

3) Open the streaming app or website and play the episode. If you run into access errors, try a different server in the same country or clear your browser cache.

Why it matters now

Season 6 re-centers the series on an investigation into the murder of investigative journalist Gail Vella and brings a new DCI — Jo Davidson — into conflict with AC-12. Understanding the plot threads and character dynamics from season 6 will make the return of Hastings, Kate and Arnott more rewarding when season 7 begins production next year.

For viewers preparing to watch, remember: streaming services and regional rights change over time. Check the official platform in your country before subscribing, and respect local rules around licensing and content access.