ACTOR Martin Compston says he does not know if this will be the final series of hit crime drama Line Of Duty, but that it will not return "just for the sake of it".
The current series of the gripping crime drama, which also features Co Fermanagh actor Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure and Kelly Macdonald, will come to an end on Sunday night.
Fans hope that the final episode will expose "H" - the corrupt officer responsible for a mass conspiracy - with the trailer for the season finale suggesting viewers will learn the identity of the infamous 'fourth man'.
But it remains unclear if a seventh series will be announced.
In an interview on the Jonathan Ross Show, Compston - who plays DI Steve Arnott in the hit BBC programme - said the future of the popular drama lies in the hands of show creator Jed Mercurio.
"That's nothing different for us," he said.
"Jed always takes months after ... there's stuff above our pay grade, analytics, figures and all that kind of thing that comes in.
"He always takes time off.
"But I think it is important to say, I think this natural story arc that we've been on for the last six years (is coming to an end).
"We won't come back just for the sake of it. That's for sure.
"We'll come back if there's a story to tell. But, so as well, if it ends well maybe sometimes it is best to leave it.
"But, so, genuinely we don't know."
The Scottish actor also described DI Arnott as "the guy who is having all the office affairs and no-one knows how".
"He's sort of unlikeable but he's obsessed with his job and doing the right thing," he added.
Mercurio previously also said the future of the hit drama was uncertain.
"We don't know. Since probably season four, we've been talking to the BBC about the realistic longevity of the series," he told the Radio Times
"It's an ongoing discussion is all I can say.
"A lot of it depends on the key creatives - me and the main actors - finding new stories to tell within that universe. We're in a situation where it's not entirely clear that there will be a seventh series.
"We would hope there could be."
The penultimate episode of Line of Duty last Sunday earned an average of 11 million viewers and 51.7 per cent of the audience share, according to the BBC.
Sunday night's instalment of the police drama will also run for a longer 90 minute episode.
Line of Duty is on BBC One on Sunday at 9pm.
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