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 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.
Theories: Line Of Duty fans are convinced DC Chloe Bishop is actually Tony Gates’ daughter as they claimed on Sunday the characters’ shared name ‘can’t be a coincidence’
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.
Dramatic: 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 him
Back then: Gates’ daughter was last seen in season one in 2012, and she was portrayed by Saffron Davies (pictured), which means she’d be roughly the same age as Bishop is now
Potentially? 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
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)’
Throwing around ideas: Fans were besides themselves with the notion that Bishop could in fact be Gates’ daughter Chloe, and they took to Twitter to discuss it
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.
Could it be? On Sunday, creator Jed Mercurio teased how Gregory Piper’s Ryan Pilkington may have ‘turned over a new leaf’ in season 6 despite 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?
Jed said viewers will have to ‘wait and see’ if Gregory’s character, who first appeared in the debut season (pictured), ‘has turned over a new leaf or if he remains a dangerous inside man’
Criminal: In previously seasons, Ryan attempted to cut DS Steve Arnott’s (Martin Compston) fingers off, and killed undercover cop DS John Corbett (Stephen Graham, pictured)
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.
Debut: 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)
Grateful: Gregory said he was delighted to be asked to return, and said it was ‘amazing news’ that his character (pictured in season five) would be back for more
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.
Line Of Duty continues on Sundays at 9PM on BBC One.
Drama: On Sunday night’s show newcomer DCI Jo Davidson (Kelly MacDonald, pictured) was hauled in for the first AC-12 interrogation scene of the season