Line of Duty: Vicky McClure addresses shock Kate Fleming cliffhanger

*Spoilers follow for Line of Duty series six, episode five*

Vicky McClure has reacted to the shocking ending of last night’s (18 April) episode of Line of Duty.

Spoilers follow for series six, episode five of the BBC’s hit police drama...

The episode ended with the duplicitous DSI Jo Davidson (Kelly MacDonald) luring DI Kate Fleming (McClure) into a trap.

Fleming encounters PC Ryan Pilkington (Gregory Piper), and the two arrive at a tense standoff, pointing their guns at each other. The screen then cuts to black, and we hear the sound of two gunshots.

Speaking to former co-star Craig Parkinson, who played Dot Cottan, on the BBC’s Obsessed With...podcast, McClure addressed the unknown fate of her fan-favourite character.

“Well you know, every episode of Line of Duty history is terrifying, and [series creator Jed Mercurio] is always there to serve the story, and it’s exactly what happened with Dot,” she said.

“Dot’s time came when it was right to serve the story and that is what Jed will always do. I don’t want to put everything out there but Jed serves the story…”

On the podcast, Parkinson also said: “I’ve been saying week in and week out that I’ve been so worried about certain characters - that we have grown to love over the years - and I’m terrified that one of the main trio is going to go.

“I have put my chips on poor old Steve, up until this week… And as we know as actors, nobody is safe.”

Despite the shock ending, many fans believe that an old trailer for series six has revealed whether or not Kate makes it out of the trap alive.

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You can read a full recap of the biggest talking points from Line of Duty’s latest episode here, including the revelation that Davidson’s mystery blood relative is none other than Tommy Hunter.

Line of Duty continues at 9pm on Sunday on BBC One.