Adrian Dunbar: Religion, Singing in Ridley, and Career Facts

Few actors can claim to have both grilled suspects as Ted Hastings and sung jazz on primetime TV — but Adrian Dunbar does both, and that combination tells you a lot about the man behind the roles. Born in Enniskillen in 1958, Dunbar has quietly become one of the most recognisable faces from Northern Ireland on British television, all while keeping a parallel musical life that keeps surprising audiences. This article sorts out the facts from the speculation around his religion, his singing in Ridley, his current projects, and the questions fans keep asking.

Born: 1 August 1958 ·
Birthplace: Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland ·
Known for: Line of Duty, The Crying Game, Ridley ·
Occupations: Actor, Director, Singer

Six facts that define Adrian Dunbar’s biography at a glance:

Is Adrian Dunbar Catholic or Protestant?

This is one of the most searched questions about the actor, and it stems partly from the social context of his best-known role. Ted Hastings, the upright Superintendent in Line of Duty, is portrayed as a Protestant from Northern Ireland — but the actor behind him came from a different background.

Adrian Dunbar’s religious background

• Dunbar was raised in a Catholic family in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.
• He has said he came from the nationalist community and Catholic community in the west of Northern Ireland (How to Fail with Elizabeth Day transcript).
• He attended a Catholic boys’ school before moving to a mixed comprehensive — an experience he described as entering a new world (South West College alumni blog).
• In the same interview, he noted that religion was spoken about less openly in his upbringing than he later found in London.

Public statements on faith

• Dunbar has not publicly detailed his current religious practice; he rarely discusses personal faith in interviews.
• He became a patron of Integrated Education, saying there can be no real and lasting future while society has two education systems built on a religious divide (South West College alumni blog).

The implication: Dunbar’s personal faith remains private, but his public stance on education signals a desire to move beyond sectarian divisions — a nuance that gets lost in the simple “Catholic or Protestant” framing.

Does Adrian Dunbar Actually Sing in Ridley?

One of the most distinctive features of the ITV crime drama Ridley is that the detective protagonist periodically breaks into song. Viewers naturally wonder whether that voice belongs to Dunbar himself.

Singing performances in the series

• Adrian Dunbar performs his own singing in the ITV series Ridley (Cosmopolitan UK).
• In a 2022 interview, Dunbar said he was not nervous about singing because it was something he had done quite a bit (Daily Express).
• He described putting together a band in his 40s and touring Ireland playing pubs and bars for enjoyment (Cosmopolitan UK).

Character motivation for musical scenes

• The singing is a character trait — it’s not plot-driven but reveals something about Ridley’s inner life.
• Dunbar has a background in musical theatre and performs live occasionally (e.g., charity galas).

The pattern: Dunbar’s musical life has always run parallel to his acting, but Ridley finally brings them into the same frame. The singing gives the show an almost theatrical quality that distinguishes it from standard police procedurals.

What Is the New Series on Netflix with Adrian Dunbar?

Search trends show a spike for “Adrian Dunbar Netflix” — but as of early 2025, there is no confirmed major new Netflix series starring the actor. Here’s what the record actually shows.

Netflix series featuring Adrian Dunbar

• Dunbar made a cameo in The Last Kingdom (a Netflix Original) — but that is not a starring role.
• Speculative reports of a new Irish-set Netflix series with his participation remain unconfirmed as of this writing.
• His most recent ongoing TV work is Ridley on ITV (not Netflix) (ITV).

The catch: the search interest for “Adrian Dunbar Netflix” outruns the facts. No official project has been announced, and the actor’s profile remains strongest on traditional broadcast (BBC, ITV) rather than streaming.

Where Does Adrian Dunbar Live Now?

Questions about his residence come from a mix of fan curiosity and the common assumption that someone so tied to Northern Ireland on screen lives there full-time.

Current residence in the UK

• Adrian Dunbar lives primarily in London, England (BBC Radio 4 interview).
• He has previously owned property in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, where his family originally lived.
• He splits time between London and Northern Ireland for work and family commitments.

Why this matters: Dunbar maintains strong ties to his home region — he is a patron of Integrated Education there and frequently returns for charity events — but his professional life anchors him in London.

What Is Adrian Dunbar Doing Now?

As of early 2025, his work slate is active but focused on existing commitments rather than new announcements.

Current acting projects

• He is starring in the ITV series Ridley; the second season aired in 2024 (ITV).
• He continues stage work — his background includes numerous theatre credits.
• No major new TV series has been announced as of early 2025.

Upcoming appearances

• He is involved in charity work related to Northern Ireland arts, including integrated education advocacy.
• He occasionally performs live music at events.

The implication: Dunbar is currently in a stable, low-profile phase. The biggest question for 2025 is whether Ridley returns for a third season or whether a new project emerges from the rumoured Netflix interest.

“I think I was very lucky in that I came from a community that was very musical. I started out playing in bands.”

Adrian Dunbar, speaking to Cosmopolitan UK (2024)

Adrian Dunbar, as patron of Integrated Education, has stated that “there can be no real and lasting future while we have two education systems built on a religious divide” (South West College alumni blog).

For Northern Irish audiences and UK viewers alike, the picture of Adrian Dunbar that emerges is one of a performer who has used his platform to subtly bridge cultural divides. He neither hides his Catholic roots nor defines himself by them — and his singing, far from being a quirky add-on, is a thread that has run through his entire adult life. The question for 2025 is whether the industry will give him the next role that matches the depth he brought to Ted Hastings, or whether Ridley will become the defining character of his later career. For fans of character-driven British television, the wait for his next move is part of the pleasure.

Frequently asked questions

These questions reflect the common interest in Dunbar’s personal life and career choices.