Line of Duty - proof that Kate Fleming isn't dead after THAT cliffhanger ending?

DI Kate Fleming in Line of Duty
(Image credit: BBC/World Productions/Steffan Hill)

Line of Duty viewers were left reeling after Sunday night's dramatic episode ending...

Line of Duty fans are convinced they've worked out Kate Fleming's fate after she found herself caught up in a shoot out with dodgy officer Ryan Pilkington in episode 5 of Season 6.

The cliffhanger ending of the episode had fans on the edge of their seats as Jo Davidson (Kelly Macdonald) lured Kate (Vicky McClure) to an abandoned lorry park.

Ryan Pilkington aims a gun at Kate in Line of Duty

Kate found herself in deadly danger in episode 5 of Season 6 (Picture: BBC)

She was working under the orders of the OCG gang leader who has been using her as an insider mole in the police investigation into the murder of journalist Gail Vella.

But as Kate got closer to the truth and started sharing her theories with her old AC-12 collages, the OCG were starting to panic that she could blow their cover.

More: Martin Compston - things you didn't know about the Line of Duty star 

Despite having formed a friendship with Kate in earlier episodes, Jo had started to keep her at arms' length, causing alarm bells to start ringing for Kate.

Kate Fleming aims a gun at Ryan Pilkington in Line of Duty

Fans are convinced Kate is still alive (Picture: BBC)

But as the corrupt senior police officer - and the fourth 'H' - who is still yet to be uncovered, told Jo to get rid of Kate, she had no choice but to arrange for her to meet under the cover of darkness.

However, undercover OCG member and the newest member of the Hillside Lane team, Ryan Pilkington was hiding in the back of Jo's car.

Ryan Pilkington aims a gun at Kate in Line of Duty

Fans think Ryan is the one who has been shot in the standoff (Picture: BBC)

Kate soon found herself in a standoff with Ryan, both joining guns at one another, and just before the credits rolled two gun shots could be heard.

Fans have a theory 

While we will have to wait until next week to find out who, if anyone, was shot, fans have got a cunning new theory.

https://youtu.be/LbKIzP4bmFA

They're convinced that the trailer (above) for the new season, released ahead of the first episode, shows Kate alive and well in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment that is yet to be aired on TV.

The moment sees what appears to be a continuation of the cliffhanger ending that we saw on Sunday - with Kate and Jo standing with their hands up as police surround them.

A huge clue or a red herring?

There is also the small matter of a social media post that show creator Jed Mercurio posted on Twitter during filming last year.

The picture shows Kate wearing a distinctive purple top, which appears to be another scene that is yet to be aired in Season 6.

But could both these things be red herrings designed to lure fans into a false sense of security that Kate will be okay?

Tune in on Sunday at 9pm on BBC1 to discover Kate's fate.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.