Martin Compston Prepares for Line of Duty Comeback as Fatherhood Reshapes His Perspective

Key Points

• Martin Compston returns as DI Steve Arnott in the upcoming Line of Duty Season 7

• Actor reflects on how becoming a father has changed his experience heading back to set

• Compston and wife Tianna Flynn keep their family life private, welcoming their son in 2020

• Fatherhood has influenced his outlook on roles and real-world issues, including child welfare

• Fans eagerly await the long-anticipated new chapter of the acclaimed BBC crime drama

Compston Set to Reprise Iconic Role With New Personal Chapter Behind Him

Martin Compston is officially returning to Line of Duty, stepping back into the role of DI Steve Arnott for the first time since 2021. But as production ramps up on the highly anticipated seventh season, the actor is entering familiar territory with a noticeably different perspective—one shaped by fatherhood.

Since the show’s last outing, Compston has expanded his screen portfolio with roles in Vigil, The Rig, and Red Eye. Yet it’s his life away from cameras, notably the arrival of his son, that he says has made the biggest impact on how he approaches his work today.

A Low-Key Family Life Behind the Spotlight

Compston and his wife, American actress Tianna Flynn, have long prioritized privacy. Married in 2016 at St Joseph’s Chapel in Greenock, Scotland, the couple rarely shares much about their family. Their ceremony featured personal touches—including Compston in a traditional kilt and co-star Adrian Dunbar among the guests.

Their relationship began unassumingly in a bar, where Compston often jokes that “happy hour” luck played a role in meeting Flynn, then a hostess. In 2019, speculation about their growing family surfaced when Flynn appeared at the Henley Festival with a baby bump. By May 2020, Compston confirmed the birth of their son.

In a charming behind-the-scenes moment, co-star Vicky McClure revealed that the Line of Duty cast gifted the baby a tiny waistcoat—mirroring Arnott’s signature look.

Fatherhood’s Influence on Career and Worldview

Compston has spoken openly about the challenges and rewards of parenthood, acknowledging how it influences the emotional preparation for his roles, including his work on the thriller series The Nest.

In 2022, he publicly corrected a false tabloid claim regarding fertility struggles, noting that he and Flynn had not faced such issues. He emphasized the importance of media sensitivity around deeply personal subjects.

His views as a father were further shaped during a 2023 visit to Bangladesh, where he witnessed the harsh realities of child labor. Compston described the heartbreak of seeing vulnerable children contrasted with coming home to hold his own son—an experience he said underscored the belief that “every kid should have a safe space to play.”

Anticipation Builds for Line of Duty Season 7

As one of the BBC’s most successful crime dramas, Line of Duty has a devoted global fanbase eager to see AC-12 reunite. Compston’s return marks a key milestone in reviving the franchise’s momentum after its 2021 season finale left viewers with numerous unanswered questions.

With Compston stepping into DI Arnott’s waistcoat once more—now as a father—the upcoming season promises not only high-stakes drama but potentially a deeper emotional resonance from one of the show’s core characters.

What Happens Next?

Production details for Season 7 remain under wraps, but filming is expected to begin soon. As Line of Duty gears up for its next chapter, fans can anticipate renewed chemistry between the cast and a potentially reinvigorated DI Arnott shaped by Compston’s life experiences.

BBC is likely to announce additional plot and casting updates in the coming months.