Line of Duty fans go wild as ‘definately’ reappears tipping Ted Hastings as H – before cliff hanger 

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Line of Duty fans were left reeling after Sunday’s episode saw fan favourite Ted Hastings tipped as being the elusive H again, and Ryan Pilkington left in a standoff with DI Kate Fleming. 

In typical AC-12 style, a twist emerged in the form of a throwback clue to the 2019 series showing the word definitely misspelt as ‘definately’ in Jo Davidson’s messages – a clue that previously suggested Hastings [Adrian Dunbar] could be one of the bent coppers he is so hellbent on finding.

Although fans were already left reeling with the twist, the dramatic instalment ended with another shock, with a tense cliff hanger seeing PC Pilkington [Gregory Piper] drawing his gun at and DI Fleming [Vicky McClure]. 

One of the big shocks of the night came as Acting Detective Superintendent Jo Davidson [Kelly Macdonald] was seen sending messages to the OCG boss, with whoever the mystery messenger was, typing out ‘definately’. 

Back in 2019, viewers watched as ‘definitely’ was misspelt by whoever was talking via an online chat to season five protagonist, undercover cop John Corbett [Stephen Graham].

And while many thought it was simply a spelling blunder at first, Hastings then also went on to type ‘definately’ during a police hack the following week, leaving fans convinced the AC-12 Superintendent was in fact villain H. 

The reappearance of the incorrectly spelt word caused some avid watchers to think that perhaps H is really the fourth man, despite him seeming to have been cleared of suspicion following his misconduct hearing last series. 

Dozens of people took to Twitter to discuss their theories over the word, with one penning: ‘Ted spelled ‘definitely’ wrong before. If Ted is H I’m done’

While another added: ‘Ted Hastings only split definitely ‘DEFINATELY’ but who else would know Ted spelt it like that, that’s the question.’

And someone else said: ‘Well we all know Ted can’t spell definitely right, but Mother of God, please don’t let him be the final H!’. 

Making things even shadier, it was during this conversation with the faceless crime boss that Davidson was told to ‘get rid’ of Kate.

Davidson looked distraught at the idea as she sat staring into her laptop screen, however replied saying she’d do it so long as it was the last task asked of her. 

Coming through on her promise, Davidson arranged to meet Kate outside of work before changing the location at the last minute. 

In the closing moments, Kate – a goodie (at least we hope) – and PC Ryan Pilkington – a baddie through and through – are seen with their guns trained on each other. 

Leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, the episode then ended after the duo and Davidson shouted at each other to drop their guns, with two gun shots heard as the screen faded to black.  

Has Kate – whom we’ve watched snaring bent coppers over six series – been killed in the line of duty? Or has she finished off corrupt and psychopathic Pilkington? 

And if she’s only wounded, will DI Steve Arnott – Kate’s partner in crime-fighting – manage to save her? 

Kate had managed to send him a text just before the intense final scene, however it remains to be seen if he makes it to her in time to help and catch Ryan.    

Also during Sunday’s show Davidson’s DNA match was revealed, with it being discovered that she’s related to Tommy Hunter. 

Several viewers had guessed that Davidson would be related to Hunter after last weeks show.

And Steve Arnott confirmed the news that they shared a ‘partial match’ on Sunday after Kate was called into AC-12 to hear the shock result.

Kate was visibly taken aback by the update, with Ted having to tell her that Davidson had ‘pulled the wool over her eyes’ during their Gail Vella investigation.  

Hunter, a crime boss turned informant, was murdered by the OCG (Organised Crime Group) in series two.  

However, many fans pointed out that there is no way to be sure that Tommy (Brian McCardle) actually ever died because his body was wrapped in bandages during series two. 

Despite this potentially being true, it wasn’t cleared-up on Sunday with the plot instead focussing on Davidson being drawn further into the OCG’s shady dealings. 

While elsewhere in the show, another twist saw the addition to the cast of James Nesbitt, though only as a photo. 

He plays Marcus Thurwell, a detective in the racist killing of Lawrence Christopher – a storyline that appears to be based on the real-life murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence. 

Thurwell was also featured in another earlier series as the SIO investigating the death of social worker Oliver Stephens Lloyd. 

His appearance on the show came as a shock to viewers, as he had previously lied about being ‘snubbed’ for the part.  

Speaking with The Sun, James said: ‘I had a lot of fun saying how Jed has snubbed me for Line Of Duty, all the while knowing our little secret.’    

In February, it was reported he felt ‘galled’ about never being asked to appear in Line of Duty despite being from Northern Ireland and the show being filmed in Belfast. 

The Cold Feet star told the Radio Times: ‘Even though Line Of Duty had been shot here for years I was never considered for it, which has always slightly galled me.’

However, James explained after Sunday’s show that it was all a ploy cooked up by himself and Jed to keep fans off the trail of his role on the hit police show.  

And when Jed asked him to appear on the show, he was filming Bloodlands in Belfast, creating the perfect cover story for if he was seen around the city.

Jed said: ‘It was easier to keep it secret by plotting the scheme between the two of us… It worked brilliantly, because everyone thought he was genuinely annoyed.’

James added: ‘I’ve kept it to myself for over a year and couldn’t even tell my closest friends or family.’ 

Devoted fans of the show had been tipped off to a mystery star joining the cast during the week after a spoiler was leaked on Tuesday night.

BBC Maestro, a hub for budding screenwriters, inadvertently uploaded a post revealing a brand new character and a key plot twist. 

On Sunday’s episode pictures were shown of James’ character in Spain, however the team actually filmed the scene in Belfast. 

Committing to the ruse, Jed even revealed to the publication that he told members of the public that James was modelling for a catalogue when he was spotted shooting in shorts at Belfast Marina. 

The writer added that they had some practice in fooling fans about actors making surprise appearances as Keeley Hawes reappeared in series three unexpectedly.  

James’ character Marcus Thurwell is a detective who worked on the racist killing of Lawrence Christopher – a storyline that appears to be based on the real-life murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.  

The fictional case was being investigated by journalist Gail Vella, whose killing is the focus of the current run. 

Several fans theorised that Thurwell and Hastings might have a connection, with them both being Irish, in the upcoming episodes.

One person said: ‘Calling it now, #TedHastings was at police college with #Thurwell #JamesNesbitt in NI #LineOfDuty.’

And another tweeted: ‘What are the odds on Hastings’ having known James Nessbit’s character in NI?’

While a third pointed the to misspelling of definitely, as they wrote: ‘James Nesbitt is definately going to have a Northern Ireland accent next week on #LineOfDuty – just like Ted.’  

Elsewhere in the episode, DCI Patricia Carmichael also returned to AC-12, launching into a rant against Hastings and saying the team doesn’t have strong evidence against Ian Buckles.

She also ordered that all of AC-12’s surveillance operations- on Ryan Pilkington, Jo Davidson and Terry Boyle -be halted because of ‘budget’ costs. 

However could this mean she’s actually H? Cancelling the surveillance suggests that Pilkington and Davidson weren’t followed ahead of meeting Kate, something the OCG would only benefit from.