Adrian Dunbar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adrian Dunbar
Dunbar in 2014
Born	(1958-08-01) 1 August 1958 (age 67) Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Nationality	Irish
Alma mater	Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Occupation	Actor screenwriter director singer
Years active	1980–present
Notable work	Ashes to Ashes (2009) Line of Duty (2012–2021)
Spouse(s)	Anna Nygh ​ (m. 1986)​

Adrian Dunbar (born 1 August 1958) is an Irish actor, director, and singer from Northern Ireland. He is famous for his work in television shows and on the stage. He co-wrote and starred in the 1991 movie Hear My Song. The film was so good it was nominated for a BAFTA award for Best Original Screenplay.

Many people know Dunbar for playing Superintendent Ted Hastings in the popular BBC crime drama Line of Duty. He appeared in all six series of the show from 2012 to 2021. He has also acted in many other TV shows, including Ashes to Ashes and The Hollow Crown. Since 2022, he has played the main character, Alex Ridley, in the detective series Ridley.

Dunbar has also appeared in famous movies like My Left Foot (1989) and The Crying Game (1992). He even had a scene in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, but it was cut from the final film.

Early Life and Education

Adrian Dunbar was born and grew up in Enniskillen, a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. He was the oldest of seven children in a Catholic family. He has two brothers and four sisters.

For his early education, he went to St Joseph's College in his hometown. Later, he moved to London to study at the famous Guildhall School of Music and Drama to train as an actor.

Acting Career

Adrian Dunbar has had a long and successful career in movies, television, and theatre. He has played a wide variety of characters, showing his talent as an actor.

Famous Roles on Television

Dunbar is a familiar face on British television. One of his most famous roles is Superintendent Ted Hastings in the police show Line of Duty. His character became well-known for his memorable catchphrases.

Before Line of Duty, he appeared in many other popular series.

• He played a mysterious character named Martin Summers in Ashes to Ashes.
• He was in the final episode of the detective show A Touch of Frost.
• He also had guest roles in shows like Inspector Morse, Scott & Bailey, and Silent Witness.
• In 2017, he played Father Flaherty in the drama series Broken.
• Since 2022, he has starred as the main detective in the ITV series Ridley.

Work in Movies

Dunbar has acted in several well-known films. He appeared in My Left Foot and The Crying Game. He also had roles in movies like Widows' Peak and The General.

An interesting fact is that he was originally cast as Senator Bail Organa in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. He even wore the costume for photos, but his scene was removed from the movie. The character was later played by another actor, Jimmy Smits.

Stage and Theatre Work

Besides screen acting, Dunbar is also a talented stage actor and director. He has performed in plays at famous theatres like the Abbey Theatre in Dublin and with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

He has also directed plays, including a well-received production of Philadelphia Here I Come!. In 2024, he starred in the musical Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican Theatre in London.

Other Projects

Beyond acting, Adrian Dunbar has many other interests. He is the lead singer of his own band, which has performed in places like Nashville, Tennessee. He also narrates TV shows and audiobooks. For example, he was the narrator for an audiobook of Eoin Colfer's novel Artemis Fowl.

Personal Life

Adrian Dunbar married Australian actress Anna Nygh in 1986. They have a daughter and a stepson. The family lives in North London.

In 2009, the University of Ulster gave him an honorary doctorate degree. This was to recognize his great contributions to acting.

Selected Filmography

Here are some of the movies and TV shows Adrian Dunbar has been in.

Film

Television