Line Of Duty fans have claimed to have pointed out a ‘huge spoiler’ after show creator Jed Mercurio shared a snap from filming on Monday.
The writer, 54, took to Twitter to share a collection of photos of DS Steve Arnott, played by Martin Compston, Ted Hastings, played by Adrian Dunbar, and DI Kate Fleming, played by Vicky McClure, as they playfully posed on set.
Yet eagle-eyed fans were quick to point out that DS Steve Arnott had lost his ‘sergeant stripes’ from his uniform as they questioned whether he had been demoted or was going undercover.
Spoiler? Line Of Duty fans have claimed to have pointed out a ‘huge spoiler’ after show creator Jed Mercurio shared a snap from filming on Monday
One person said: ‘No Sgt stripes on @martin_compston uniform.Has he been demoted???’
A different fan put: ‘Exactly what I was wondering. Undercover as a PC? Demoted, or a big omission!’
Another viewer commented: ‘Steve’s not got his sgt stripes!?’
A different account noted: ‘Steve been demoted? Where’s his stripes?’
Back to it: The writer, 54, took to Twitter to share a collection of photos of DS Steve Arnott, played by Martin Compston, Ted Hastings, played by Adrian Dunbar, and DI Kate Fleming, played by Vicky McClure, as they playfully posed on set
Eagle-eyed: Yet eagle-eyed fans were quick to point out that DS Steve Arnott had lost his ‘sergeant stripes’ from his uniform as they questioned whether he had been demoted or was going undercover
While another fan added: ‘Stevie boy demoted to PC?’
Elsewhere other fans came up with another bizarre theory as they noted Ted Hastings was stood in front of a piece of graffiti which had the letter H.
Posting a zoomed in picture with a red ring around it, a Line Of Duty fan commented: ‘Massive spoilers on wall.’
In the most recent series five finale, creator Jed dropped the bombshell there was not just one super villain H but four caddies.
Theory: One person said: ‘No Sgt stripes on @martin_compston uniform.Has he been demoted???’
Another plot twist? Elsewhere other fans came up with another bizarre theory as they noted Ted Hastings was stood in front of a piece of graffiti which had the letter H
Steve discovered the vital clue when a clip of DI Matthew ‘Dot’ Cottan’s dying declaration was played during AC-12 boss Ted Hasting’s interrogation with Patricia Carmichael (Anna Maxwell-Martin).
Line Of Duty resumed filming in September after a five-month hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The BBC police drama suspended shooting for series six back in March, but leading actor Martin Compston – who plays DS Steve Arnott – returned to set to shoot socially-distanced scenes last month.
Show creator Jed thanked fans for their ‘patience’ and assured that the cast and crew are aiming to have the sixth season back on air ‘as soon as possible’.
Explosive: In the most recent series five finale, creator Jed dropped the bombshell there was not just one super villain H but four caddies (show cast pictured in the show)
In one of the photos from the set, Martin posed as his character DS Steve Arnott while sitting behind a glass wall, which appeared to be in a prison.
The cast surrounding him are all wearing face masks and remain at a social distance on the other side of the screen.
Martin also posted the picture to his own Instagram where he captioned it with: ‘Officially back in business #waistcoatup #lineofduty6.’
The actor also posted a fun snap of himself getting his longer locks, which he grew during lockdown, cut by hair stylist Cat Coogan.
It’s back! Line Of Duty resumed filming in September after a five-month hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic
The hairdresser made sure she took social-distancing measures as she wore a face mask, visor and plastic apron.
Martin shared a before and after snap, which he captioned: ‘This woman’s surgical with scissors.’
The star also posted up a picture of himself in police uniform teasing fans: ‘In The civvies, must be Line of Duty 6.’
Vicky McClure took to Instagram to post a picture of herself with Martin at a distance, which she captioned: ‘Hello mate’
Reunited: Vicky McClure also took to Instagram to post a picture of herself with Martin at a distance, which she captioned: ‘Hello mate’ last month
Talking about the highly-anticipated return to filming, creator Jed said: ‘We know Line of Duty fans are desperate for Series 6 and we hope we can get it on air as soon as possible. Thanks so much for your patience in these difficult times.’
Series regulars, Martin, Vicky McClure (DI Kate Fleming) and Adrian Dunbar (Superintendent Ted Hastings), also issued statements about their return to filming.
Martin, 36, said: ‘It’s been a long few months and it will be a different way of working from when we stopped, but I’m delighted to be back on the case with the Line of Duty team!’
Vicky, 37, added: ‘Been sitting on these incredible scripts for some time now, so I’m really looking forward to getting back to it and seeing the Line of Duty family.’
Before and after! Martin also posted the picture to his own Instagram and shared a fun snap of himself getting his longer locks, which he grew during lockdown, cut by hair stylist Cat Coogan ahead of filming
Back to it! The star also posted up a picture of himself in police uniform teasing fans: ‘In The civvies, must be Line of Duty 6.’
While Adrian, 62, commented: ‘Even with the imposition of Covid restrictions I can’t hide my excitement at getting the team back together. So many people wondering…what happens next?’
Line Of Duty insisted that they have worked with health and safety consultants in accordance to government guidelines to ensure the safety of cast and crew.
Executive Producer for World Productions, Simon Heath, said: ‘It’s been almost six months since we stopped shooting.
‘But following our implementation of all the industry Covid protocols, we’re delighted to be able to resume filming series six safely.’
Statement: Talking about the highly-anticipated return to filming, creator Jed said: ‘We know Line of Duty fans are desperate for Series 6 and we hope we can get it on air as soon as possible. Thanks so much for your patience in these difficult times.’ (pictured in 2019)
The hit BBC One police drama suspended its filming in Belfast for season six in March to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations.
A BBC spokesperson said at the time: ‘In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, the producers Caryn Mandabach Productions and Tiger Aspect Productions of Peaky Blinders Series 6 have postponed filming, and World Productions on Line of Duty Series 6 have suspended filming, both in consultation with and supported by the BBC.
‘We will continue to review all productions on a case-by-case basis and will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organisation and Public Health England.’
The sixth series is rumoured to air sometime in 2021 – although no date has been confirmed. Series five aired from March-May 2019.
Hit show: Series regulars, Martin, Vicky McClure (DI Kate Fleming) and Adrian Dunbar (Superintendent Ted Hastings), also issued statements about their return to filming (above Mercurio with the lead stars)
The show, which stars Martin as DS Steve Arnott, Vicky as DI Kate Fleming and Adrian as Superintendent Ted Hastings – following anti-corruptions officers as they root out bent coppers in the AC-12 division.
In August, Martin explained the cast are hoping to have the forthcoming sixth season shot before Christmas.
Appearing on The One Show, he also teased storylines for the upcoming series as he insisted that ‘the scripts are so good!’
He said: ‘In terms of the changes… we really wouldn’t want to compromise the scripts, the scripts are so good, and people are so loyal to the show, there would be no point coming back if we’re going to compromise quality.’
The show’s writers are notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to storylines, and so when quizzed about whether there is, as rumoured, a ‘massive bombshell’ at the end of episode four, Martin teased: ‘Well there’s a few before that as well…
‘But just because I don’t have script five, there’s a big, big question at the end of [episode] four.’
Back to AC-12: The show, which stars Martin as DS Steve Arnott, Vicky as DI Kate Fleming and Adrian as Superintendent Ted Hastings – following anti-corruptions officers as they root out bent coppers in the AC-12 division (pictured in show still)