Line of Duty’s Patricia Carmichael leaves fans convinced she’s H after Morse code interview clue

Line of Duty fans were left convinced that Detective Chief Superintendent Patricia Carmichael is ‘H’ after Sunday’s episode.

The officer, played by Anna Maxwell Martin, placed herself at the centre of the action as she ordered Kate Fleming be arrested following the shootout and then tried to shut down Ted Hastings’ questions during a very intense interview of Jo Davidson. 

Some viewers even theorised that Carmichael was trying to send a message during the ‘puzzling’ interview – which also saw Jo discover her paternity despite offering more ‘no comments’ than answers – based on how often she tapped her pen.

Could it be? Line of Duty fans were left convinced that Detective Chief Superintendent Patricia Carmichael is the fourth man after Sunday’s episode

Carmichael was first seen arriving at the scene of last week’s cliffhanger where Kate Fleming [Vicky McClure] and Ryan Pilkington [Gregory Piper] pointed their guns at each other and two shots were heard before the screen went black.

And after finding Ryan’s body with two bullet wounds to the chest and being told by Hastings [Adrian Dunbar] that Kate has been authorised to carry a concealed weapon, Carmichael declared them ‘armed and dangerous’.

She also caught eagle-eyed viewers attention once Kate and Jo were apprehended by police following a high-speed car chase – as it transpired was made possible after she and the chief gave orders to track all of AC-12s vehicles.

This pivotal bit of information was revealed once Arnott [Martin Compston] had talked Kate into surrendering and he was going over the events back at headquarters with Hastings. 

Theories: Some viewers even theorised that Carmichael was trying to send a message during the interview based on how often she tapped her pen

Trying to hide something? The officer, played by Anna Maxwell Martin, tried to shut down Ted Hastings’ questions during a very intense interview of Jo Davidson

Explaining that he and Kate have keys to each others cars and houses for when there’s an ‘unexplained disruption to the chain of command’ he was left stunned when Carmichael cruelly revealed Hastings secret and approaching retirement.

However despite all of this already raising suspicion, it was during the intense – and very long – interview of Jo that many viewers decided that Carmichael must be H or at the very least involved with the OCG herself.

The interview saw Jo discover that her uncle Tommy Hunter was actually her father as well, with the officer emotionally revealing that her mother had told her she’d been raped as a teenager and how ‘uncle’ Tommy controlled both of their lives.

Despite Jo finally starting to open up on some points after numerous ‘no comments’, Carmichael repeatedly shut down Arnott and Hastings’ questions whenever they verged on talk of corruption in the force. 

Unimpressed: Hastings did not looked pleased with Carmichael taking the lead in the lengthy interrogation 

Emotional: Jo Davidson broke down as she discovered her true relationship to Tommy Hunter

One fan said Carmichael’s behaviour here left them thinking she was H, tweeting: ‘That was a tense interview scene. Carmichael didn’t wanna go into any police corruption at all. Jo protecting Kate. All very puzzling.’

Another simply stated: ‘Carmichael absolutely the fourth caddy that interview gave everything away #LineofDuty’ 

While others even theorised that Carmichael was sending out some kind of message during the interview, based on how often she tapped her pen.

A third summed up the opinion of many as they quoted Hastings and said: ‘Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey! Line of Duty that was intense from start to finish!

‘Carmichael shutting down every question about and reference to OCG links to high ranking police officers…’ 

Giving orders: Carmichael was seen arriving at the scene of last week’s cliffhanger where Kate Fleming and Ryan Pilkington pointed their guns at each other and two shots were heard before the screen went black

Calling the shots: She demanded the two officers put down their guns after the high-speed police chase

One person wrote: ‘Carmichael tapped her pen 4 times in the interview . . . . = H in morse code.’ 

And another agreed, adding: ‘Carmichael is H she has to be. Why is she tapping the table 4 times? #lineofdutyday #LOD’ 

However one fan suggested that Osborne was H, and Carmichael was actually trying to cover for him, tweeting: ‘Osborne has got to be H, and that’s who Jo thought her father was? 

‘Carmichael shut down the convo every time Osborne was mentioned. Whoever Jo thought her dad was, that’s H right? Also I can’t hack Ted Hastings being upset like this so I’d appreciate less of that #LineofDuty 

This Morse code theory popped up during Arnott’s questioning of Davidson, specifically when he tried to get information about Gail Vella’s laptop and computer. 

Reaction: Fans were quick to declare that Carmichael is H because of her suspicious behavior

LINE OF DUTY: WHO IS THE FOURTH ‘H’?

Line Of Duty creator Jed Mercurio excited fans when he shared the first clue about the plot of season six to Twitter.

Uploading a snap of a packet of the Australian chocolate biscuits TimTams with the caption ‘#LineofDuty Series 6 Plot Clue No. 1’, fans began to ferociously speculate as to what it might mean.

But one plot point hanging over the next season of the show is about the identity of the ominous ‘H’.

While the mystery was somewhat answered in the season five finale, it was also revealed that there are FOUR people pertaining to be ‘H’, with the final one still unknown.

So who could it be?

Patricia Carmichael (Anna Maxwell Martin)

Patricia Carmichael (Anna Maxwell Martin)

She was one of season five’s stand-out characters, swooping in towards the end of the series to interrogate Ted Hastings – highly suspected to be ‘H’ at the time.

And while she simply seemed to be excellent at her job – and hellbent on uncovering the corruption within the department – could it be that Patricia Carmichael was SO keen to pin the blame on Ted to take the focus away from herself.

Could SHE be the fourth ‘H’?

Her position of power and respect, along with her unnaturally steely and cut-throat demeanor, could well point to this.

Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar)

Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar)

Ted Hastings was pinpointed by viewers of the show, as well as the characters on the show, to be a candidate for ‘H’.

But it seemed he was exonerated by the end of season five, allowed to walk free.

But could be potentially be triple-crossing us all? Could he in fact STILL be the potential fourth ‘H’.

The biggest issue with this theory is that Gill Biggeloe – one of the three revealed to be ‘H’ – was so against him. Surely she wouldn’t be working to deter him if they were in league?

UNLESS, she doesn’t KNOW he is the fourth ‘H’?

DCC Andrea Wise (Elizabeth Rider)

DCC Andrea Wise (Elizabeth Rider)

Detective Chief Constable Andrea Wise was new to the show in season five and is another high-powered contender for ‘H’.

She has been constantly interfering when it has come to supporting AC-12’s investigations, removing them from the investigation into Operation Pear Tree. She also instigated the Ted Hastings investigation.

She is also keen to cover up police corruption, despite announcing at the end of season five: ‘This constabulary will work tirelessly to root out rotten apples in its ranks.’

PCC Rohan Sindwhani (Ace Bhatti)

PCC Rohan Sindwhani (Ace Bhatti)

Police and Crime Commissioner Rohan Sindwhani demanded to be ‘in on’ a meeting between Andrea Wise and Ted Hastings. This might be a small clue but any clue could be valid at this point.

Any shady behavior suggests ‘H’ is at play, and so Rohan could indeed be culpable.

 

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Although Jo remained tight-lipped, Carmichael did seem to start sweating a little as she tapped her pen four times and took a sip of water.

Morse Code is an alphabet that spells out words or messages using a series of short and long sounds, with the officer appearing to make four taps and spell out H.

Carmichael again set alarm bells ringing whens he cut off Hastings at the end of the interview following his knockout question about Osborne being H.

Cutting off the AC-12 head’s question, she declared that Jo was being charged with ‘perverting course of justice and misfeasance in public office’.

Also during the interview, Jo told her version of what happened during the shootout with Ryan Pilkington.  

Theories: Others suggested that her pen tapping was a major clue as four taps means H in Morse code

Drama: Kate and Davidson fled from the shootout, heading to Arnott’s apartment to pick up his car before getting into a car chase

Dead: PC Ryan Pilkington was seen with two bullet wounds to the chest following on from last weeks cliff hanger

Doesn’t look good: Arnott convinced Kate to put down her gun and told her and Davidson to walk behind him during another dramatic moment in the episode 

Jo Davidson told the other officers that it wasn’t Kate who killed the bent cop, but her using Kate’s gun. 

Even when Carmichael pointed out that the forensic evidence pointed to Kate being the shooter, Jo had an answer saying gunshot residue must have been absorbed by Kate’s sleeve as she fired and insisting that she killed Ryan.

Carmichael was later seen talking to Kate as she finished up her own interview and teasing that she didn’t believe Davidson’s version of events.

She said: ‘Two shots to the chest, like a firearms trained officer. Davidson’s not firearms trained is she? But you are though aren’t you Kate?’

Oh dear: Carmichael was later seen talking to Kate and teasing that she didn’t believe Jo’s version of events about what happened with the Ryan shooting

She’s alive! Line Of Duty ended on a tense cliffhanger last week after gunshots were fired as DI Kate Fleming and bent copper Ryan Pilkington held up their weapons

Cliffhanger: After being lured to a lonely car park by DCI Jo Davidson (pictured) [Kelly MacDonald] during the previous episode, Kate [Vicky McClure] was met by armed officer Ryan

Although sticking to tradition and raising yet more questions, Line of Duty fans at least got to experience some relief by discovering Kate’s fate early on in the show.  

Taking to Twitter to share their joy when Kate was seen alive, one wrote: ‘So relieved Kate Fleming lived to see another day #lineofduty #lineofduty6.’ 

Another said: ‘Well first of all Kate is alive!! Yipeee. Then wow that a shot Kate! Too good of an ending for Ryan but fair play to the actor brilliant baddie.’ 

A different viewer wrote: ‘Kate is alive, a firearms officer and it turns out a dab hand at handbrake turns. Icon. #LineOfDuty.’

Another commented: ‘Meanwhile, it’s a mixed bag for Kate. She’s alive!! But she’s hit an all-time low in police custody grey jersey.’ 

Man down: Sunday’s episode revealed that Ryan had been shot twice in the chest by Kate, who soon fled the scene with Jo in a Thelma and Louise-inspired fashion

Reaction: It casted doubt in some viewer’s minds over her intentions, as they couldn’t understand why she would run if she lawfully killed Ryan

Trust: In order to buy her trust after just leading her to be murdered, Jo takes Kate’s gun and touches it so that her prints are on the weapon – and it looks like she killed Ryan

After fleeing the crime scene, Kate and Jo head to Steve’s house and take his car because he and Kate have access to each other’s homes ‘for emergencies’.

In order to buy her trust after just leading her to be murdered, Jo takes Kate’s gun and touches it so that her prints are on the weapon – and it looks like she killed Ryan. 

While many were simply happy that Kate had survived another episode, other viewers were confused as to why Kate ran.

It casted doubt in some viewer’s minds over her intentions, as they couldn’t understand why she would run if she lawfully killed Ryan.

One viewer said: ‘Does anyone understand why Kate ran? I really can’t think why.’ 

Another said: ‘I still don’t get why Jo and Kate ran? #LineOfDuty.’ 

Is he really dead? Elsewhere during the show viewers were lead to believe that James Thurwell was dead following a raid in Spain

In agreement, another said: ‘Ok, can anyone explain why Kate and Jo ran in the first place? Everyone knew Ryan was dodgy and it was self defence? #LineOfDuty.’

Her actions even left some wondering if she could be the illusive ‘H’.

One person said: ‘Why am I low-key thinking that Kate could be H? It’s low-key weird that they ran.’ 

Elsewhere during the show viewers were lead to believe that corrupt officer James Thurwell was dead following a raid in Spain.

Shaky footage from a night vision camera showed Spanish police breaking into his house and finding two bodies – of a man and woman. 

However some experienced viewers refused to believe wholeheartedly in this new update, with many suggesting it could be a ruse especially as actor James Nesbitt was only introduced last week and his death would mean a very quick cameo.  

LINE OF DUTY SEASON SIX: WHAT ARE THE MAIN FAN THEORIES?

Season six of Line Of Duty has left fans with more questions than answers, with viewers flocking to Twitter to question what exactly is DCI Jo Davidson is up to, whether Kate Fleming has really left AC-12 and who is H?

Here, MailOnline examines some of the most prominent fan theories  

Kate Fleming HASN’T left AC-12 and is working undercover   

One of the most shocking discoveries was AC-12’s Kate is now working with a new team- with some fans suggesting she could even be the infamous H.

While chatting to her new gaffer DCI Davidson, Kate said: ‘I got fed upon nicking coppers, I’d rather go after the psycho who murdered Gail [Vella].’

But despite seeming confident in her new role, some viewers were left wondering if all was at it seems and theorised that Kate could still be undercover for AC-12.

Even after she tipped off Davidson and incurred the wrath of Ted Hastings, fans have continued to speculate that she is so deep undercover that even Hastings is having to keep her true agenda secret.  

Kate Fleming HASN’T left AC-12 and is working undercover: Is it true? The jury is still out on this one 

DCI Jo Davidson is being blackmailed by an Organised Crime Group  

Jo has already survived a grilling from AC-12’s top team and appeared to clear her name when it was ex-girlfriend PS Farida Jatri who seemed to have taken part in corruption.

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

Fans, however, are convinced the DCI is being blackmailed by an OCG, following her emotional outburst when she was summoned to pick up a new burner.

DCI Jo Davidson is being blackmailed by an Organised Crime Group: Is it true? After her car park outburst it seems increasingly likely

DCI Jo Davidson’s mother is Anne-Marie McGillis

Fans speculated over who Jo’s mother could be after she was seen in a photograph in the first 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.

DCI Jo Davidson’s mother is Anne-Marie McGillis: Is it true? There simply isn’t enough evidence yet to determine on way or the other  

Gail Vella is still alive

Although season six has centered around the murder of journalist Gail Vella, one obscure theory is that she is in fact still 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.

Gail Vella is still alive: Is it true? It seems unlikely that the scale of police corruption is so huge that they could fake a murder victim

DC Chloe Bishop is Tony Gates’ daughter

Bishop 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, 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.

DC Chloe Bishop is Tony Gates’ daughter: Is it true? The dates and facts line up, but there still isn’t enough to write it off as a coincidence just yet 

DCI Jo Davidson’s mystery blood relative is…?

After it was revealed that Jo’s DNA matched someone on the Police National Computer, fans theorized who that could be.

The overriding theories suggested that Davidson’s relative was either Tommy Hunter, of series one and two, Mike Dryden of series two, John Corbett of series five, or Derek Hilton, killed off in series four.

Tommy Hunter was the leader of the OCG in earlier series of the show, and a paedophile. His character is dead.

Mike Dryden, the former Deputy Chief Constable, was last seen resigning from his post for perverting the course of justice in series two. His Scottish links also suggest he could be related to Davidson.

John Corbett was an undercover cop in series five who had his throat slit, leaving behind a wife, two daughters, and a mysterious link to a woman, Anne-Marie, whom fans claim could also be Davidson’s mother.

Derek Hilton was a Chief Superintendent and later the Assistant Chief Constable of Central Police. He was also secretly affiliated with organised crime. He was shot in the mouth in a staged suicide in season four.

Other suggestions were Gill Biggeloe, Jackie Laverty, Lindsay Denton or Terry Boyle. 

After it was revealed that Jo’s DNA matched someone on the Police National Computer, fans theorized who that could be. Scottish Mike Dryden was last seen resigning from his post for perverting the course of justice in series two

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