Line of Duty: Stephen Graham and Rochenda Sandall appear in new preview

Rochenda Sandall and Stephen Graham in character as Lisa McQueen and John Corbet

A newly-released image from the upcoming series of Line Of Duty shows incoming stars Stephen Graham and Rochenda Sandall in their roles.

Rumours of Graham joining the cast began circulating last year after a blurred image of the This Is England and Boardwalk Empire star was shared online.

He has now been shown in character alongside guest star Sandall, with the pair looking threatening in their roles as John Corbett and Lisa McQueen.

The picture released by the BBC shows the new characters looking stern, surrounded by a gang of associates in their organised crime group.

They are at the command of a mysterious figure known only as “H”.

Stephen Graham joins the cast in series five

Graham has previous playing crime kingpin Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire.

Sandall recently starred in Silent Witness so she is no stranger to a police procedural.

Graham previously said of his casting: “It’s an honour to have been asked to be part of the Line Of Duty team.

“I’m especially looking forward to working with Martin Compston and Vicky McClure again.”

Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar in Line of Duty

The pair will be joining series regulars Compston, who plays DS Steve Arnott, McClure as DS Kate Fleming and Adrian Dunbar in the role of Superintendent Ted Hastings.

Penned by Bodyguard writer Jed Mercurio, Line Of Duty will return to BBC One with a six-part series later this year.