Line Of Duty season six: fans are convinced DC Chloe Bishop is actually Tony Gates’ daughter

Line Of Duty fans are convinced that newcomer DC Chloe Bishop is actually Tony Gates’ daughter in their latest theory about the sixth season.

Bishop, played by Shalom Brune-Franklin, is one of AC-12’s newest recruits, and as Gates and his wife Jools had two daughters, Natalie and Chloe, viewers have suggested their shared first name ‘can’t be a coincidence’.

Gates’ daughter was last seen in season one in 2012, and she was portrayed by Saffron Davies, which means she’d be roughly the same age as Bishop is now.

Fans have suggested that Bishop either took her mother’s maiden name or the name of a step-father, so that her true identity remains a secret – for now.

Gates died at the end of the first season when he walked into a busy road after getting a confession from gang leader Tommy Hunter, who had been blackmailing the police officer into covering up their criminal activity.

He took his own life as he knew that if he was killed in the line of duty that would ensure his family received a pay-out. 

Fans were besides themselves with the notion that Bishop could in fact be Gates’ daughter Chloe, and they took to Twitter to discuss it.

One person wrote: ‘Holy s**t so is Chloe, Tony Gates’ daughter Chloe??? That name can’t be a coincide right? (sic)’

Another added: ‘Just saying it now Chloe, the cop in AC-12, is Tony Gates’ daughter.’ 

Theorising, one viewer said: ‘So in series 1, DCI Tony Gates had a daughter called Chloe….. roll on to series 6 and Steve Arnotts new partner is called Chloe!! (sic)’

Meanwhile, series one alum Gregory Piper is set to make a triumphant return to Line of Duty’s sixth season.

The actor will reprise his role as Ryan Pilkington, now a junior cop, in the third episode of the gritty police drama, seemingly going on the straight and narrow after previously working as the child recruit of gangsters in earlier seasons.

And, on Sunday, show creator Jed Mercurio, 55, teased the possibility that Ryan has ‘turned a new leaf’ and isn’t a spy in the Central Police, despite what fans may think of his criminal past.

Speaking to The Sun about the character, Jed claimed: ‘Now that Ryan’s a police officer, viewers will have to wait and see if he has turned over a new leaf or if he remains a dangerous inside man for organised crime.’

Gregory first appeared in the show’s first season at the age of 13, as a foul-mouthed messenger for the criminal gang working with bent copper DCI Tony Gates (Lennie James).

But his escapades on the show have taken an even darker turn in past seasons, as he attempted to cut DS Steve Arnott’s (Martin Compston) fingers off with bolt cutters, and also killed undercover cop DS John Corbett (Stephen Graham).

But, given his dark past with the AC-12, how can viewers possibly believe he is anything but suspicious? 

Gregory said he was delighted to be asked to return, as he told the publication: ‘At 13 years old, you don’t really take everything in and what is going on around you.

‘Then I got this message out of the blue, saying they wanted to bring back my character for series five. It was amazing news.’

He added that his involvement in the show’s latest season was so top secret he ‘couldn’t even tell friends and family’ about it.  

On Sunday night’s show newcomer DCI Jo Davidson (Kelly MacDonald) was hauled in for the first AC-12 interrogation scene of the season. 

She was grilled by Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), Acting DI Arnott and DC Chloe Bishop (Shalom Brune-Franklin) over gross misconduct charges relating to the investigation into the murder of journalist Gail Vella (Andi Osho).

However, at the end of the episode she was let go, seemingly not guilty, after her ex-girlfriend PS Farida Jatri [Anneika Rose] was implemented in corruption.

The show’s latest episode also saw Steve being temporarily promoted, continuing to battle with his injuries and strike up a potential romance with John Corbett’s widow Steph [Amy De Bhrún].

Elsewhere, AC-12 were authorised to take over Operation Lighthouse to investigate corruption.

Is dodgy DCI Jo Davidson being blackmailed by an OCG… or will she be Kate’s new lover? Puzzled Line Of Duty fans reveal their new theories following episode 2 

Line Of Duty left fans with more questions than answers on Sunday as they flocked to Twitter asking whether DCI Jo Davidson could be being blackmailed by an OCG… and even if she’ll become Kate Fleming’s new lover. 

Taking to the microblogging site, viewers picked apart the second episode of the new series, with eagle-eyed enthusiasts noting a series of possible explanations for some of the biggest plot-holes and red-herrings dished out during the instalment.

One of the major theories centred around newcomer DCI Davidson [Kelly MacDonald] who was hauled in for the first AC-12 interrogation scene of the season.

Is DCI Jo Davidson being blackmailed?

She was seen being grilled by Superintendent Ted Hastings [Adrian Dunbar], Acting DI Steve Arnott [Martin Compston] and DC Chloe Bishop [Shalom Brune-Franklin] over gross misconduct charges relating to the ongoing investigation into the murder of journalist Gail Vella [Andi Osho].

However, at the end of the episode she was let go, seemingly not guilty, after her ex-girlfriend PS Farida Jatri [Anneika Rose] was implemented in corruption.

However, Jo was seen hitching a ride with known bent copper Ryan Pilkington [Gregory Piper] and taken to collect a burner phone, making her look suspicious once more.

Fans, however, are convinced the DCI is being blackmailed into corruption, and that she is not as shady as she seems.

‘Davidson is being coerced into doing whatever it is she is doing!’ one fan declared on Twitter.

‘So Jo Davidson is just like [season 1 character] Tony Gates: coerced by the OCG into doing their dirty work, under threats to the welfare of her family. But was never corrupt from an early age, unlike Dot and Ryan! Meaning that she’s unlikely to be H!’ another theorised. 

‘So Jo is being coerced/blackmailed somehow, right? Right?!?’ another tweeted.

‘Davidson isn’t bent, she’s trapped/being threatened by OCG (could be due to her family)!’

Will Kate and Jo hook up? 

Fans also appeared to be championing a romance between DI Kate Fleming [Vicky McClure] and Jo, with some predicting Kate might be using Jo for information.

‘I am very ready for this Kate Fleming and Jo Davidson dalliance!’ one person enthused.

Another penned: ‘KATE AND JO PLSSSSS!’

‘Look, if you’re gonna lock up Jo at least do it after her and Kate sleep together pls!’ another wrote.

Is DCI Jo Davidson’s mother Anne-Marie McGillis? 

Fans also speculated over who Jo’s mother could be, after she was seen in a photograph in last week’s episode.

Many theorised her mother has something to do with season five character John Corbett’s [Stephen Graham] mother Anne-Marie McGillis, who was killed by an Irish Republican paramilitary group sometime after 1989.

‘My theory is Joanne is related to Corbett in some way and has joined the OCG to bring them down and get justice for John or is being blackmailed by them?! Still think Kate is dodgy!’ someone tweeted.

Replying to this, another fan penned: ‘I thought this too, the woman in the family photo in Joanne’s house looked similar to John Corbett’s mother Anne-Marie!’

Another penned:  ‘Right, so Jo definitely set up Jatri but I get the feeling she was blackmailed into all of this for another reason… What do they have on her? And it deffo has something to do with her mother… (Who I still kinda think is Anne Marie in WP)’

Is the male voice on Gail Vella’s podcast DCI Roz Huntley’s dodgy lawyer?

Another popular theory referenced a recording of the late Gail Vella and an unknown male.

Several fans picked up on the male’s voice, linking it to series four character Jimmy Lakewell [Patrick Baladi], the lawyer of DCI Roz Huntley [Thandie Newton] and her husband Nick [Lee Ingleby].

‘I’m calling it – the male voice on the Gale Vella recording was Jimmy Lakewell, Nick Huntley’s lawyer!’ one posted.

Another agreed: ‘Tonight was crazy. They weren’t kidding when they said episode 2 took things up a notch! Also the voice on that podcast recording is Jimmy Lakewell (The bent lawyer from series 4)’

Someone else posted: ‘The voice on the Audio file with Gail Vella is 1000% this guy from series 4, Ros’ lawyer!’

Are DS Ian Buckells and Ryan Pilkington plotting together?

There was also plenty of chatter about the arrival of Ryan, who was last scene joining the police academy at the end of series five, having been part of the organised crime group.

Ryan had killed John Corbett. He also appeared in series one, as a teenager, and was interviewed by DS Ian Buckells [Nigel Boyle] – leading fans to theorise that the pair of them are in league with one another.

‘So Superintendent Buckles interviewed Ryan in season 1, so surely he would’ve noticed him as a Police Officer now? Yet I think Buckles is a massive red herring, it’s almost TOO obvious!’ someone penned.

Another added: ‘Hang on…. Buckles interviewed Ryan in Series 1? Surely he knows? Buckles is bent too!’

 

Is Gail still alive? 

One obscure theory that has the backing of a former show star, is that although this series is focusing on the murder of Gail Vella, the journalist could actually still be alive. 

Craig Parkinson, who played Matthew ‘Dot’ Cottan in the show, said on BBC Sounds podcast Obsessed with Line of Duty: ‘Somebody is in that flat and there’s some connection with Gail Vella, the investigative journalist.

‘You don’t cast someone like Andi Osho and then just have her as little magazine prints and stick them up on a kitchen wall.’ 

Sarah Millican – who also appeared on the podcast – went on to suggest Vella may have been a former lover of DCI Davidson’s. 

Is Kate still working undercover for AC-12? 

Viewers were left shocked when the first episode saw Steve announce that colleague Kate had left the anti-corruption unit for a job back in the force. 

The couple’s friendship was also left strained when Kate refused to be an informant for Steve, even going so far as to tip of Jo that their department was being investigated. 

However, several fans have begun to speculate if this could indeed be a double cross. 

One viewer penned: ‘anyone else think that Kate is already undercover and only Hastings knows about it’, while another added that she could have been sent to look into DCI Ian Buckells: ‘Do you think Hastings has put Kate undercover to investigate Buckley? But the side twist of Jo and the young PC??? So many questions being created in only two episodes.’

Line Of Duty continues on Sundays at 9PM on BBC One.