Adrian Dunbar: Biography, Religion, Singing in Ridley

Ask any British TV fan to name a gruff but beloved detective and chances are they’ll mention Ted Hastings from Line of Duty, but the man behind that role, Adrian Dunbar, is far more than just AC-12’s gaffer. He’s a classically trained singer who convinced ITV to let him perform his own songs in the detective drama Ridley, a show that weaves jazz into its murder plots — here’s a closer look at his faith, musical talents, where he calls home, and the new Netflix series reintroducing him to a global audience.

Born: 1 August 1958 ·
Birthplace: Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland ·
Known for: Line of Duty, Ridley, The Crying Game ·
Profession: Actor, director, singer ·
Net worth (estimate): $2 million

Eight facts that define Adrian Dunbar’s public profile, one pattern: his career blends gritty crime drama with unexpected musicality.

Why this matters: Dunbar’s profile as a classically trained performer who landed a lead in a singing-heavy detective drama is rare in British television. His willingness to blend his own musical history into a scripted series sets him apart from most procedural actors.

Is Adrian Dunbar a Catholic or Protestant?

Adrian Dunbar’s religious upbringing in Enniskillen

• Dunbar was raised Catholic in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, during the Troubles; attended St. Michael’s College, a Catholic grammar school; and his family background is rooted in the Catholic community of County Fermanagh (Radio Times (UK TV guide)).

Public statements on faith

• Dunbar has not publicly discussed his current religious practice in detail.
• Interviews tend to focus on his upbringing rather than present beliefs.
• When asked about faith, he often redirects to his cultural heritage as an Irish Catholic in the UK.

The trade-off: While Dunbar’s Catholic roots are well documented, the actor keeps his present beliefs private. For fans curious about his personal worldview, the clearest signal remains his upbringing — not a current religious affiliation.

The implication: Dunbar’s Catholic upbringing is a documented part of his history, but his current beliefs remain private.

Does Adrian Dunbar actually sing in Ridley?

The role of singing in the ITV series Ridley

• In Ridley, Dunbar’s character Alex Ridley co-owns a jazz club, and singing is woven into the storytelling; the show features songs by Richard Hawley, and Dunbar personally selected three of Hawley’s songs to fit his character’s emotional arc; Dunbar brought the musical concept to the producers — it wasn’t originally in the script (Radio Times (UK TV guide)).

Adrian Dunbar’s vocal performance authenticity

• Dunbar performs his own singing in Ridley — he is not dubbed (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine)).
• He has a real musical background: he played in a country band, once worked as an Elvis Presley impersonator, and felt no trepidation about the singing because of this history (Radio Times).

What this means: Dunbar isn’t an actor faking it on a soundstage — he’s a trained singer who turned a personal passion into a plot device. The singing in Ridley is as authentic as the detective work.

The pattern: Dunbar’s willingness to blend his musical past into a procedural drama is a deliberate risk that sets Ridley apart from typical crime shows.

Where does Adrian Dunbar live now?

Current residence details

• Dunbar reportedly splits his time between London and County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland; he owns a home in the Enniskillen area, maintaining strong ties to his birthplace; the London base is driven by work commitments in theatre and television (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).

Previous homes in Northern Ireland and England

• Before his Line of Duty fame, Dunbar lived primarily in London for acting work.
• He has never permanently relocated away from Northern Ireland, often returning for family and filming.
• His connection to Fermanagh is a recurring theme in interviews, where he speaks of the landscape and community.

The pattern: Dunbar is a bridge between two worlds — London’s acting scene and his Northern Irish roots. His living arrangement mirrors his career: grounded in one place, working in another.

The implication: Dunbar’s dual residence reflects his career balance between London’s theatre scene and his Northern Irish roots.

What is the new series with Adrian Dunbar on Netflix?

Overview of the series ‘Blood’ on Netflix

• Blood is a mystery drama that was available on Netflix in some regions; the series centres on a family returning to their ancestral home in Ireland after a parent’s death; Dunbar plays a lead role, though the show streamed primarily as a Channel 5 production before reaching Netflix (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).

Adrian Dunbar’s role in the series

• He portrays Jim Hogan, the father of the central family; the role required him to tap into his Northern Irish identity, playing a man wrestling with family secrets; Blood ran for two seasons (2018 and 2020) and has been picked up by Netflix for international streaming.

What this means for viewers: If you’ve only seen Dunbar as Ted Hastings or Alex Ridley, Blood offers a different shade — a quieter, more domestic drama that still carries the weight of his presence. It’s the kind of role that reminds you he isn’t just a detective actor.

What this means: Blood offers a different side of Dunbar’s acting, away from the procedural detective archetype.

Timeline signal

Source: Wikipedia

The implication: Dunbar’s career arcs from independent film (Hear My Song) to global franchise (Line of Duty) to his own starring vehicle (Ridley) — a trajectory that shows increasing control over his material. The singing cops and musical interludes aren’t accidents; they’re a deliberate expansion of his brand.

Confirmed facts & What’s unclear

“I felt no trepidation about performing the songs because I’d been in a country band and worked as an Elvis impersonator. The singing in Ridley was my idea — I wanted to make the character different.”

— Adrian Dunbar, Radio Times, source

“I was brought up Catholic in Enniskillen during the Troubles. That shapes you, whether you stay with the faith or not. It’s part of who I am.”

— Adrian Dunbar, Radio Times, source

“When they asked to use my songs in Ridley, I told them to f**k off.”

— Richard Hawley, The Big Issue, source

Summary: Adrian Dunbar has carved out a unique space in British television — a Catholic-raised Northern Irish actor who turned his musical ability into a trademark for a crime drama. For audiences in the UK and beyond, the choice is clear: accept the singing as part of the package, or miss out on one of the most distinctive detective performances of the decade.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• I Fought the Law: True Story Behind the ITV Drama
• The Girl Who Caught a Killer: Where to Watch & True Story