Line of Duty fans were left reeling during tonight's series 6 finale as the mysterious H was finally unmasked.
Millions tuned in at 9pm on Sunday night as DI Ian Buckells was revealed to be the "Fourth Man", bringing an end to AC-12's hunt for bent coppers.
The mystery of "H", also known as the "Fourth Man", has been the best-kept secret on the show, with fans coming up with wild theories on the shadowy leader of the OCG.
Post-credit information hinted at a seventh series as it was revealed the scale back of AC-12 continued.
Line of Duty fans took to social media following the season finale, with not everyone happy as some held out hope for more to be revealed in a possible future series.
One person wrote: "After that there has to be a series 7. Still convinced Osborne is the top dog. #LineOfDuty."
Another commented: "It’s not Ian Buckles. Too simple. Obviously he’s the current fall guy. #LineOfDuty"
A third wrote: "At least the ending hinted at the possibility of a season 7. #LineOfDuty "
And one commented: " #LineOfDuty Series 7 is a must. Just look at whats been left hanging?"
Line of Duty hasn’t been renewed just for another season, but stars of the show haven't ruled it out.
During and interview on The Jonathan Ross Show on Saturday, Martin Compston revealed that they "don't know" whether a season 7 will go ahead, but told fans: "We’ll come back if there’s a story to tell."
When asked whether she knew about a potential season 7, Vicky McClure responded, "Genuinely don’t [know]. We don’t know anything, not just saying it for effect."
Martin went on to explain that the cast's uncertainty around a seventh season isn't unusual, as the show's creator Jed Mercurio often takes time off after one season finishes.
He explained: "That’s nothing different for us. Jed always takes months after… there’s stuff above our pay grade, analytics, figures and all that kind of thing that comes in. He always takes time off."
However, the Scots actor did hint towards the show coming to a natural end, saying: "But I think it is important to say, I think this natural story arc that we’ve been on for the last six years…"
"That’s coming to an end," host Jonathan Ross speculated.
Martin then went on to assure fans that "we'll come back if there’s a story to tell." He explained: "We won’t come back just for the sake of it, that’s for sure. We’ll come back if there’s a story to tell.
"But, so as well, if it ends well maybe sometimes it is best to leave it. But, so, genuinely we don’t know."
Meanwhile, Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio previously spoke about the possibility of a seventh series.
Speaking to Radio Times, Mercurio said: “We’re in a situation where it’s not entirely clear that there will be a seventh series.
“We would hope there could be. But we’re having to do our planning coming out of Covid, and a whole bunch of other things around the idea that these things aren’t guaranteed at all now.”
Mercurio added: “Since probably season four, we’ve been talking to the BBC about the realistic longevity of the series. I’ve experienced broadcasters pulling the pug while we were still developing a storyline.
“So it’s an ongoing discussion, is all I can say. A lot of it depends on the key creatives – me and the main actors – finding new stories to tell within that universe.”
