Line of Duty fans expose astonishing Easter egg in new series 6 trailer

Eagle-eyed Line Of Duty fans have spotted the mother of all Easter eggs in the latest series 6 trailer – but if you blinked you definitely would have missed it.

The teaser for the upcoming new chapter dropped on Tuesday, getting audiences up and down the country excited to see Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) back in action at AC-12 when the gripping BBC drama returns later this month.

Just seconds into the minute-long clip, however, is an almighty Easter egg in the form of a QR code, which can be seen on the front page of a magazine.

Fans have found that if you scan the code, it leads to a document titled Operation Easter Egg Hunt.

The file is a letter from Chief Constable Philip Osborne (Owen Teale) to DCC Andrea Wise (Elizabeth Rider) and suggests the exiling of Hastings as leader of AC-12.

‘I think it’s high time we had a much closer look at AC-12,’ it reads.

‘I’m beginning to question whether this department is fit for purpose especially under its current – and let’s be frank – extremely difficult leadership.

‘Ted Hastings doesn’t lead investigations, more commit to a crusade. He is oblivious to the politics of the situation which creates problems for me and problems for you because policing is politics.

‘And should AC-12 ever be led someone who himself is accused of corruption? The question is what to do next.’

The letter concluded: ‘Is it time for a leadership change? What role should Ted Hastings have in this organisation – if any at all.’

The note contains a word that is hyperlinked, leading wannabe detectives to a fake pharmacy prescription, issued to DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston).

The prescription has hidden in it a morse code sequence, which led fans to an unlisted news video report from Gail Vella of the police responding to allegations of corruption.

In the video description is a URL which opens up to Birmingham’s Green Lane on Google maps. The significance of this location currently remains unknown.

Fans have been sharing news of their progress with the Easter egg online, with many stuck at the map.

However, others have revealed that the final clue leads to a BBC clip of Hastings congratulating fans to reaching the end of the mission.

Line Of Duty returns on Sunday 21^st March at 9pm on BBC One.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.