Line of Duty's Adrian Dunbar says real 'H' hasn't been caught yet
After the disappointing ending to series six
Many fans were left feeling a bit disappointed when season six of Line of Duty ended in May 2021, and have remained hopeful that the story will continue in a seventh season. According to Adrian Dunbar, who plays Superintendent Ted Hastings on the show, there might just be a different conclusion in store.
The Northern Irish actor has been vocal about wanting the Line of Duty storyline to continue in some form. As well as sharing his predictions for what might happen if there was a seventh season, he has now revealed that the person unmasked as 'H' in the final episode is not in fact the real criminal.
Warning: Line of Duty season six spoilers ahead
Adrian has implied that there's more to come, and AC-12 still needs to capture the real culprit. At the end of season six we saw Ian Buckells named as the criminal mastermind, but Adrian told Radio Times: "He’s not H. We just got the guy we could actually pin a charge on. We didn’t get H, we got Buckells, the patsy."
Speaking about who he thinks could have been behind the crimes, he said that it was "probably" Chief Constable Philip Osborne, before adding: "Unless there’s another twist and someone’s pulling his strings".
It seems like more Line of Duty could be on the cards, in one form or another, as Adrian added: "There’s been talk about a movie or a four-parter or two (episodes of) 90 minutes. We’d love to do it again. I’m really hoping something might happen next year.
"(Jed) has also devised a couple of templates as to how things could go."
In another interview, producer Jed Mercurio said of the unexpected twist: "Going into season six, we made the decision that we were going to reveal H, and then it was a case of, how do we make that the most surprising reveal?
"By going for this crossover between incompetence and corruption, rather than a criminal mastermind, it was a down ending. But it couldn’t be a predictable solution."
This comes after the BBC released a statement last year addressing the finale which said that they had 'deliberately aimed to wrongfoot viewers’ expectations.'
Is there a seventh season of Line of Duty?
Although there have been a lot of rumours and hopeful hints from the cast, neither the BBC nor Jed have confirmed that there will be a seventh series of the award-winning drama.
Check out the Line of Duty series six cast:
Adrian Dunbar as Superintendent Ted Hastings
First joined the cast: Series 1
Northern Irish actor Adrian Dunbar has played the role of Superintendent Ted Hastings, the leader of AC-12, since Jed Mercurio's brilliant show first aired back in 2012.
Over the first five series it came to light that Ted had some marital issues, as well as a number of financial struggles coming to light.
Despite being framed by Gill Biggeloe in series 5, many viewers were convinced Ted could be the last member of 'H', but all was cleared up in the series 6 finale when he come clean to Detective Chief Superintendent Patricia Carmichael that he leaked information to Lee Banks that led to John Corbett's death.
What other shows has Adrian Dunbar appeared in?
Adrian has appeared in a number of high profile shows alongside Line of Duty, including Blood, Death In Paradise, Ashes To Ashes and Adrian Dunbar's Coastal Ireland.
Vicky McClure as DI Kate Fleming
First joined the cast: Series 1
DI Kate Fleming, played by English actress Vicky McClure, is another Line of Duty OG, first appearing in series 1 as an undercover specialist.
Vicky's character Kate played an integral part in framing bent coppers over the first five series, but in series 6 Kate left AC-12, instead working alongside newcomer DCI Joanne Davidson in a murder investigation. Despite this, as seen in episode 1 of series 6, Kate remained good friends with Steve Arnott, meeting up to pass on inside information. At the end of series 6 it looked like Kate was back at home in AC-12, with the Gaffa even offering her job back!
What other shows has Vicky McClure appeared in?
Vicky appeared in Channel 4 series This Is England before joining the cast of Line of Duty, as well as featuring in shows such as The Replacement and The Secret Agent.
Martin Compston as DS Steve Arnott
First joined the cast: Series 1
Ever since his character DS Steve Arnott was welcomed into AC-12 by Ted Hastings in series 1, Scottish actor Martin Compston become a fan favourite with viewers.
Despite getting himself into a number of awkward situations (we are talking about you Lindsay Denton), Steve is one of AC-12's most decorated officers, helping bring down a number of bent coppers over the first five series.
Despite a number of issues with a painkiller addiction in series 6, Steve finally went to Occupational Health in the series finale, after finally bringing down H!
What other shows has Martin Compston appeared in?
You'll recognise Martin from a number of popular dramas on the box, including shows like The Nest, Traces and Victoria.
Nigel Boyle as DCI Buckells
First joined the cast: Series 1
Buckells, played by actor Nigel Boyle, has been a reoccurring character since series 1, appearing in series 1, 4 and 6.
Series 6 saw Buckells working as a DCI and the station chief at Hillside Lane Station. However, it was clear to see that his ways of policing hadn't changed, with DI Kate Fleming bringing to light that Buckells made a serious mistake in filing paperwork during the Beechwood House surveillance.
This all made sense in the final episode, where Buckells was unveiled as the fourth member of H.
What other shows has Nigel Boyle appeared in?
Nigel has also appeared in Peaky Blinders and The Enfield Haunting.
Tommy Jessop as Terry Boyle (Ross Turner)
First joined the cast: Series 1
If you remember correctly, the character of Terry Boyle first made an appearance in Line of Duty way back in series 1 in 2012, originally played by actor Elliott Rosen. Terry, who has Down Syndrome, was manipulated by the OCG to hide the body of Jackie Laverty in his freezer, before returning in series 5, this time played by actor Tommy Jessop.
Just 15 minutes into series 6, Tommy's character Terry made an appearance, being arrested as the main suspect of journalist Gail Vella's murder, under the false name of Ross Turner - a name given by the CHIS.
After evidence was found by DCI Joanne Davidson early in the series, Terry was once again being framed by an OCG, but he was acquitted of all charges when the real suspect was found in episode 7.
What other shows has Tommy Jessop appeared in?
Tommy has appeared in shows such as Holby City, Off Their Rockers and Coming Down The Mountain and Casualty.
Gregory Piper as Ryan Pilkington
First joined the cast: Series 1
If you cast you minds back to series 1, actor Gregory Piper played the role of 'soft lad', 13-year-old Ryan, a teen who delivered burner phones on his bike for Tommy Hunter.
Ryan was then re-introduced into the cast in his early 20s in series 5, working alongside Lisa McQueen and John Corbett in the OCG. At the end of the series, Ryan attended an interview for Police College, before an epilogue showed him passing out as a student police officer.
In series 6, Ryan was a PC working in DCI Joanne Davidson's murder squad on the murder of Gail Vella.
After attempting to murder Terry Boyle and being involved in THAT tense shoot-out with DI Fleming, Ryan was pronounced dead after a double shot from Kate.
What other shows has Gregory Piper appeared in?
Although Line of Duty is Gregory's biggest role to date, he's also appeared in Shrine of Duty, Frankie and Fixed.
Keeley Hawes as Detective Inspector Lindsay Denton
First joined the cast: Series 2
Keeley Hawes was one of the main characters in Line of Duty in series 2 and 3, playing the role of Detective Inspector Lindsay Denton, who was the only officer to survive when a protected witness convoy was ambushed. After suspicions about DI Denton rose with AC-12, the officer was forced to plead her innocence.
In series 3, DI Denton was granted an appeal, but she was later murdered by 'The Caddy' after she discovered crucial evidence about the Danny Waldron murder in series 1.
What other shows has Keeley Hawes appeared in?
Keeley has appeared in an array of TV shows, including Spooks, The Durrells and Bodyguard.
Thandie Newton as Detective Chief Inspector Roz Huntley
First joined the cast: Series 4
Thandie Newton played the role of DCI Roz Huntley in series 4, with her character being the senior investigating officer of 'Operation Trapdoor'. The divisive detective was certainly a major part of the last season, and ended up being sent to prison for 10 years for manslaughter.
What other shows has Thandie Newton appeared in?
Thandie is a huge star, and got her big break starring in Mission Impossible II opposite Tom Cruise in 2000. After starring in Crash, she had parts in The Pursuit of Happyness and Run Fatboy Run, and had a main role in Westworld as Maeve Millay.
Anneika Rose as Sergeant Farida Jatri
First joined the cast: Series 4
Anneika Rose's character first appeared in Line of Duty in series 4, where she was acting as a PC on DCI Roz Huntley's Operation Trapdoor.
However, her character reappeared in series 6 with a promotion to Sergeant Farida Jatri working at Hillside Lane Station in the murder investigation squad.
It was also made aware to viewers at the start of series 6 that Sergeant Farida Jatri is the ex-girlfriend of newcomer DCI Joanne Davidson. Despite being held in prison for the majority of series 6, it was confirmed at the end of episode 7 that all charges had been dropped, with her returning to active duty as a Sergeant at Hillside Lane Station.
What other shows has Anneika Rose appeared in?
Anneika has appeared in shows such as Ackley Bridge, Taggart, The Good Karma Hospital, and Deadwater Fell.
Elizabeth Rider as DCC Andrea Wise
First joined the cast: Series 5
Operating out of Pelbury House, Elizabeth Rider's character DCC Andrea Wise first made an appearance in series 5, being promoted to Deputy Chief Constable following Mike Dryden's resignation.
It's safe to say DCC Andrea Wise isn't a fan of AC-12, Superintendent Ted Hastings especially, shutting down many of their operations and refusing to give them access to important documents. Many fans of the show did suspect she could be 'H'.
What other shows has Elizabeth Rider appeared in?
Elizabeth has appeared in a number of high profile dramas, including Doctor Foster, Waking The Dead, Informer and Doc Martin.
Ace Bhatti as PCC Rohan Sindwhani
First joined the cast: Series 5
Ace Bhatti's character Rohan Sindwhani first joined the cast of Line of Duty in series 5, taking over from Paula Reid as the Police and Crime Commissioner.
PCC Rohan Sindwhani worked closely alongside DCC Andrea Wise in series 5 and 6, despite Sindwhani not enjoying going against his principles of transparency.
What other shows has Ace Bhatti appeared in?
Ace is probably most well-known for his role as villain Yusef Khan in EastEnders, but he has also appeared in Holby City, Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Spooks and Silent Witness.
Anna Maxwell Martin as Detective Chief Superintendent Patricia Carmichael
First joined the cast: Series 5
Actress Anna Maxwell Martin was first introduced to Line of Duty back in series 5, taking over from Superintendent Madeline Summers as the head of AC-3. You'll recognise her as being the officer who interviewed Ted Hastings following his arrest in series 5. Carmichael returned in series 6, taking over and disbanding AC-12 following Hastings' forced retirement.
What other shows has Anna Maxwell Martin appeared in?
Anna has appeared in a number of well-known shows, such as The Bletchley Circle, Bleak House, The Frankenstein Chronicles and Code 404.
Stephen Graham as John Corbett (Balaclava Man)
First joined the cast: Series 5
Stephen Graham joined season 5 of Line of Duty as John Corbett aka Balaclava Man. The BBC described his character as: 'Known to have links with corrupt police officers and suspected to be under direct command of the shadowy figure known only as 'H', Corbett and McQueen become persons of interest to AC-12 following an explosive chain of events.'
Whilst working as an undercover detective in season 5, Stephen's character John Corbett was killed by OCG member Ryan Pilkington.
What other shows has Stephen Graham appeared in?
Stephen is a hugely-successful actor, having appeared in shows including Boardwalk Empire, Peaky Blinders and This Is England.
Shalom Brune-Franklin as DC Chloe Bishop
First joined the cast: Series 6
It was announced in 2021 that actress Shalom Brune-Franklin would be joining the Line of Duty cast for series 6, playing the role of DC Chloe Bishop.
Chloe is the latest recruit to AC-12, with Shalom saying of the character, "Chloe is the newest member of AC-12. Like anyone starting a new job, she's so eager to prove to her bosses that she was the right choice. She's incredibly hardworking and we can see she's really trying to impress."
Despite some fan theories that she was the daughter of former character Tony Gates, it turned out Chloe was as straight as they come, helping her AC-12 colleagues bring down the bent coppers.
What other shows has Shalom Brune-Franklin appeared in?
You'll most likely recognise Shalom from her role in BBC drama Our Girl, playing Private Maisie Richards alongside Michelle Keegan. She also appeared in Roadkill in 2020, as well as Cursed, Moominvalley and Bad Mothers.
Kelly Macdonald as DCI Joanne Davidson
First joined the cast: Series 6
Line of Duty bosses first announced Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald would be joining the cast for series 6 in 2020, when filming resumed after the Coronavirus pandemic.
Kelly's character DCI Joanne Davidson was the latest police officer to be investigated by AC-12, with her character finding out Tommy Hunter was actually her dad and her uncle! Despite being held in custody whilst investigations took place, Joanne got acquitted of all charges, with her going on to find love with a mystery woman.
Jed Mercurio said of Kelly's casting, "We're honoured that Kelly Macdonald will join Martin, Vicky and Adrian in series six of Line Of Duty. DCI Joanne Davidson will prove the most enigmatic adversary AC-12 have ever faced."
What other shows has Kelly Macdonald appeared in?
As well as appearing in iconic film Trainspotting, Kelly has starred in a number of popular shows over the years, including Black Mirror, The Victim and Girl/Haji.
Perry Fitzpatrick as DS Chris Lomax
First joined the cast: Series 6
Another newcomer to the cast for series 6 was Perry Fitzpatrick, playing the role of DS Chris Lomax.
Lomax was DCI Joanne Davidson's junior on the murder squad at Hillside Lane, working on the same team as DI Kate Fleming and Sergeant Farida Jatri.
Despite many thinking Chris could be a bent copper, he proved a force in finding out Gail Vella's real murderer and had a great relationship with Kate.
What other shows has Perry Fitzpatrick appeared in?
Perry has a brilliant CV! Not only did he work alongside Vicky McClure in This Is England and I Am, he has also appeared in Peaky Blinders and Downtown Abbey.
While we keep our fingers crossed we'll get to see more of Ted Hastings in a future Line of Duty series, Adrian Dunbar is also taking on a new role in detective series Ridley. The show will air on Sunday 28th August on ITV.
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