Line of Duty episode 1: Magazine QR code reveals series 6 clues

Eagle-eyed fans are solving a sequence of cryptic clues about the new series

Line of Duty fans have discovered a trail of Easter eggs stemming from the series six trailer, released back on 9 March.

Jed Mercurio’s hit BBC thriller returned to screens on Sunday (21 March), and people are already speculating over the twists and turns Line of Duty may have in store.

The series trailer is at the heart of much speculation, after it featured a subtle Easter egg that has sent fans on a path of discovery with apparent allusions to key plot developments in the forthcoming season.

The clip, which lasts a little over a minute, can be viewed at the top of this page.

Here is a breakdown of the Easter eggs trail fans discovered.

The first clue is hidden at the very start of the trailer, when, two seconds in, a magazine cover is shown, featuring a QR code at the bottom.

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The magazine briefly displayed during the Line of Duty trailer (BBC)

Fans have discovered that if you scan the code with your mobile phone, it directs you to a document entitled “Operation Easter Egg Hunt”.

The file takes the form of a letter sent from Chief Constable Philip Osborne (Owen Teale) to DCC Andrea Wise (Elizabeth Rider), which proposes the ousting of Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) as leader of AC-12.

The letter contains within it a link to a fake pharmacy prescription, issued to DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston).

A screenshot of the letter discovered within the Line of Duty trailer (BBC)

Hidden in the prescription is a sequence of morse code, which then steered fans to an unlisted news video report seemingly set in the Line of Duty universe.

In the video, journalist Gael Vella (Andy Osho) is seen reporting on Operation Pear Tree – the investigation into police corruption fronted by DS John Corbett in Line of Duty series five.

“Some will wonder why this news is being announced over a holiday weekend,” says Vella in the clip, questioning the intentions of Commissioner Rohan Sindwhani (Ace Bhatti).

“Some might conclude the Police and Crime Commissioner would prefer his statement isn’t examined too closely.”

Andi Osho as Gail Vella in the Easter egg video (BBC)

Vella’s murder is at the centre of Line of Duty series six, as it is investigated by the Hillside Lane murder unit.

At the bottom of the video, people noticed an algebraic code, “(Hx6) + ? .xyz” which appears at the bottom of the screen four times.

A link in the video description also leads to a location on google maps: Birmingham’s Green Lane.

On Reddit, people are sharing their progress on the Easter egg hunt, with the search for the final destination still ongoing.