Richard Madden: Bodyguard sequel isn't being made this year

ichard Madden says the \'Bodyguard\' sequel won\'t be made this year.

While talks are officially underway for a second series of the hugely popular BBC One drama - in which he starred as personal protection officer PC David Budd alongside Keeley Hawes, who played Home Secretary Julia Montague - the leading man has explained the team are keen to take their time with whatever comes next.

He told Deadline: "We decided we\'re not going to rush it and shoot something this year. We\'re going to give it a breath and do it justice.

Line of Duty filming resumes for sixth series

"If we come back to do another one, I want to do something as different as the first series was, and not just repeat the cycle, repeat the formula.

"I want to do something totally different and I\'m excited to see what [creator Jed Mercurio] comes up with in that way."

Despite the delay, the 32-year-old actor - whose character walked through the streets of central London with a suicide bomb strapped to his chest in the season finale - is excited to see where the story goes.

Jed Mercurio had 'no idea' whether Line of Duty would succeed

He added: "I\'m fascinated by a man who\'s gone through so much, and I\'m very keen to see what happens to him two years later.

"Where will this man be, in terms of his mental health, in terms of his wife and children, in terms of his career?

"He\'s not going to sit back and retire, and he\'s not going to pick a normal job. He\'s going to be engaged in something interesting."

Jed Mercurio reveals Line of Duty secrets

His comments come after Jed revealed the team are currently holding discussions about bringing the programme back.

He recently said: "We\'re in talks. We\'re going through the logistics of it. There\'s no real update now."