Why does H drive us bonkers? Because the show refuses to give a straight answer. For five seasons, every time AC-12 gets close, the rug gets pulled. Remember when they found out about the four corrupt coppers? That felt like a win. Then they revealed that three of them—Dot Cottan, Hilton, and Biggeloe—were just underlings. The fourth? That’s H, and nobody knows their real name.
It’s a masterclass in tension. You start looking at every character sideways. Even Ted Hastings, everyone’s favorite grumpy dad figure, got accused. I remember shouting, “Not Ted! He’s just grumpy because of Debbie!” But the show thrived on making you doubt every smile.
The suspects we all had (and why we were wrong)
Let’s run down the usual suspects, shall we? First, DCS Patricia Carmichael—the ice queen of regulations. She seemed too clean, too smug. Then Osborne, the former Chief Constable, who had the “old boys’ network” energy. And of course, the fan-favorite theory: it was Hastings all along. “Mother of God,” we all sighed, “please don’t let it be him.”
But here’s the thing: the show loves a red herring. They fed us clues on purpose. Remember that split-second shot of a dot matrix printer in season five? People analyzed that thing like it was the Zapruder film. “Is that a cursive H? Is it Times New Roman? Does that mean Hastings is guilty?” (If you didn’t do this, you’re lying.)
Line of Duty's Ian Buckells 'revealed' as H but fans are having none of
