12 Adrian Dunbar movies and TV shows you MUST watch

From 90s films to present-day dramas!

Author: Emma Dickson and Georgie HollandPublished 1st Aug 2024

Hailing from Enniskillen, Adrian Dunbar has well and truly captured hearts with his award-winning portrayal of Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line of Duty. Famed for his unique charm and hilarious quotes, he's got fans of all ages nowadays.

But Adrian has been acting for almost 40 years, and he's got quite an impressive list of popular TV shows and movies under his belt. Check out some of our favourite performances from the legend himself, you might even recognise a few familiar faces too...

12 of the best TV shows and films featuring Adrian Dunbar:

Hear My Song - 1991

Hear My Song is a comedy/indie film released in 1991, with Adrian starring as nightclub owner Mickey O'Neill. He starred alongside Ned Beatty, James Nesbitt and Tara Fitzgerald.

Watch the trailer here, featuring a young Adrian Dunbar!


A Woman's Guide to Adultery - 1993

This 1993 TV series follows the story of three women who are involved in adulterous affairs - with Adrian starring as Michael.


Widows' Peak - 1994

Starring alongside Natasha Richardson, Joan Plowright, Jim Broadbent and Mia Farrow, Adrian appeared in the 1994 film Widows' Peak, in the role of Godfrey Doyle-Counihan.

Watch the trailer here, featuring Adrian Dunbar!

Richard III - 1995

Huge 1995 success Richard III starred huge names such as Ian McKellen, Robert Downey Jr., Maggie Smith, Dominic West and Jim Carter - but also featuring in the cast was none other than Adrian Dunbar, playing the role of James Tyrell.

Watch the trailer here!

Mickybo & Me - 2004

In 2004, he appeared in the Northern Irish comedy/drama film Mickybo & Me, playing 'Mickybo's Da', with Julie Walters playing 'Mickeybo's Ma'.

Watch the trailer here - featuring Adrian Dunbar!


Good Vibrations - 2013

2012 drama/music film Good Vibrations - a biopic of Terri Hooley, Belfast's 'Godfather of Punk' - featured cast such as Terri Hooley, Richard Dormer, Jodie Whittaker and Dylan Moran - and, of course, Adrian! He played the role of Andy.

Watch the trailer here!

The Hollow Crown - 2016

Running from 2012 to 2016, BAFTA Award-winning The Hollow Crown featured the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston and Judi Dench - and in 2016, Adrian Dunbar! He appeared in the first two episodes of season two as Richard Plantagenet.

Watch the trailer here!

Blood - 2018-2020

Adrian also starred in Irish drama Blood, appearing as Jim Hogan in the six-part series.

Watch the trailer here, featuring Adrian Dunbar!

Line of Duty - 2012-2021

One of the actor's most successful shows to date, Adrian starred in BBC's Line of Duty, as Superintendent Ted Hastings. Appearing in each season, and delivering some iconic quotes in the meantime, the show picked up numerous award nominations, bagging multiple NTAs.

Watch the trailer here!

Inside No.9 - 2021

British dark comedy anthology TV programme, Inside No.9, first began airing back in 2014, with Adrian making an appearance during an episode in season six.

Watch the trailer here!

Ridley - 2022

Clearly mastering the art of crime dramas, Adrian starred in ITV's Ridley, playing the titular role of Alex Ridley - who even sings a tune during the show!

Watch the trailer here!

Emily - 2022

In 2022, Adrian featured in the film Emily - a British biographical drama film centred around Emily Brontë, the mind behind Wuthering Heights. The film stars Emma Mackey as Emily, with other cast members such as Joe Alwyn and, of course, Adrian Dunbar - as Patrick Brontë.

Watch the trailer here!

Read more:

Line of Duty 'set to return' for SEVENTH series

Adrian Dunbar's best quotes as Ted Hastings in Line of Duty

All of the TV shows and films you've seen Jodie Comer in

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