Adrian Dunbar: Actor, Singer, and Star of Ridley

There aren’t many actors who can command a police interrogation room one minute and a jazz club stage the next. Adrian Dunbar, the Northern Irish actor best known as Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line of Duty, has built a career that defies easy labelling—actor, director, and trained singer who now headlines a crime drama where he also performs original songs.

Born: 1 August 1958 ·
Birthplace: Enniskillen, Northern Ireland ·
Profession: Actor, director, singer ·
Notable roles: Ted Hastings in Line of Duty, Ridley in Ridley

Six key facts, one pattern: Dunbar’s career moves from stage to screen to record—each role builds on a foundation of musical theatre and directorial craft.

Is Adrian Dunbar a Catholic or Protestant?

Adrian Dunbar was born on 1 August 1958 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, a region with a strong tradition of both Catholic and Protestant communities (IMDb (film database)). However, his personal religious affiliation has never been publicly confirmed in any interview or biographical record. What this means: No reputable source, including his own statements, identifies him as either Catholic or Protestant, and the article avoids speculation entirely.

Does Adrian Dunbar actually sing in Ridley?

How does his singing role work in the series?

Yes—Adrian Dunbar is a trained singer, a fact noted in his Wikipedia biography (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)). In the ITV detective drama Ridley, his character Alex Ridley is a retired detective who co‑owns a jazz club and regularly performs songs on screen. Wikipedia describes Ridley as “a pianist and singer in a jazz club of which he is a co‑owner” (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)). The series blends crime‑solving with musical performances, a creative choice that highlights Dunbar’s vocal background.

This blend of detection and music sets Ridley apart from conventional crime dramas.

Where does Adrian Dunbar live now?

No public records or verified sources confirm Adrian Dunbar’s current place of residence. He was born in Northern Ireland and has worked primarily in the UK and Ireland, but his home address is not disclosed in any available interviews or databases (IMDb (film database); Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)). The pattern: Like many public figures, Dunbar keeps his private life off‑stage, deliberately leaving this detail outside the public record.

What is the new series with Adrian Dunbar on Netflix?

What is the show Blood about?

The series is titled Blood and stars Adrian Dunbar. Described as a mystery series, it is available on Netflix (IMDb (film database)). The show centres on a family returning to their Irish rural home after a long absence, with Dunbar playing a central role. The content plan notes it as “a fantastic mystery series,” though detailed plot summaries remain scarce.

The implication: Blood represents a return to Dunbar’s roots in Irish-set drama.

Why is there so much singing in Ridley?

Is Ridley a musical drama?

Ridley is a detective series that incorporates original songs performed by the lead character. The singing is a unique creative choice by the show’s writers, Paul Matthew Thompson and Jonathan Fisher, to highlight Dunbar’s musical background (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)). Some episodes end with Ridley performing on stage. The show’s second season was commissioned in 2023 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia); Radio Times (UK TV listings magazine)).

For fans of both music and crime, Ridley offers a rare combination that highlights Dunbar’s unique skill set.

Related reading: Adrian Dunbar Movies and TV Shows: Full Career Guide · Nigel Havers: Biography, Family, Career, and Net Worth