Adrian Dunbar on second run of Blood
Line Of Duty star Adrian Dunbar returns to our screens in another gritty crime drama, Blood
Intervi..
Line Of Duty star Adrian Dunbar returns to our screens in another gritty crime drama, Blood
Interview commencing with person of interest, actor Adrian Dunbar. For the benefit of the tape, a personal assistant has just entered the room with a cup of tea and an assortment of chocolate biscuits. Beeeeeeep… When we meet the man who plays Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line Of Duty, its impossible not to feel like weve walked straight into one of those classic AC-12 interrogation scenes from the hit drama. Adrian sits across the table and fixes us with a trademark intense stare as our tense battle of wits commences.
Thankfully, however, the Northern Irishman is barely anything like the earnest anticorruption cop he so brilliantly portrays in the BBC1 series.
Instead, Adrian is genial company – witty, self-deprecating and happy to share decades worth of anecdotes from his successful career in the performing arts.
Currently, Adrian is eager to discuss crime thriller Blood, which proved to be a surprise sleeper hit for Channel 5 when it debuted in 2018.
Fans were gripped by his brooding performance as Jim Hogan, who was suspected of murdering his wife, Mary.
In a dramatic season finale, it was revealed that Jim had in fact helped Mary to commit suicide as an act of mercy, as she had motor neurone disease.
This second run – screening on five consecutive nights this week – sees Jim drawn into a shocking storyline involving his daughter Fiona, played by Grainne Keenan.
“I was really proud of the response to the first series of Blood,” says Adrian, 61. “Right from the get-go I knew it was a really good yarn and that it would have a chance if we got it right.”
“It was a hit in Ireland and then I was thrilled when it did well here, too. This show puts you through the ringer – trying to figure out the very complicated set of emotions that all the characters have.”
“I think Blood is honest about the dysfunction of family life and Jim will have to get to the bottom of secrets being kept from him.”
TV critics were quick to praise Blood, acclaiming Adrians seemingly effortless ability to imbue the character with quiet malevolence. Hes astute enough to realise that its yet another
role for which he plays a deeply troubled man, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“Id actually love to do comedy,” he laughs. “It would be great to go to work to get a laugh.”
“I need to push my agent to look for those kind of parts, because unless I do one soon people might not believe I can do it.”
“I cowrote and starred in an Ealing comedy-type film called Hear My Song many years ago [1991], but Im not sure why I dont get approached for that kind of thing now – maybe its because Im known for dramatic acting in a show thats done well, so I tend to get offered things in that vein.”
“Does it bother me? Not when its the top show in the UK.” Adrian is referring to Line Of Duty, of course.
The eagerly awaited sixth series of Jed Mercurios award-winning police procedural will see Superintendent Hastings investigate DCI Joanne Davidson, played by Kelly Macdonald.
Filming for the latest instalment of the show was due to start in Belfast recently. However, production was of course shut down due to coronavirus so its unlikely Line Of Duty will be screened until 2021. But Adrian is convinced it will be worth the wait.
“Its a privilege to be in a show with such high standards,” he says. “I think the quality is just as high for series six. Jed has written some great stuff to ensure we keep the momentum going.”
“Im over the moon to play an iconic character like Ted Hastings and for my career to be defined by this role – thats a place very few actors get to. Its very satisfying to have had this level of success later in my career, because I feel like I can be appreciative and have fun with it.”
“Theres even a Ted Hastings drinking game. People watch Line Of Duty and every time Ted says fella, they take a shot of booze, then you have to finish half a pint of beer if he proclaims mother of God. By the time you hear now were sucking diesel, youll be practically drunk.”
“It sounds fun if youre a student in your twenties. Im not sure its befitting a man in his sixties like me!”
Thats not to say that a younger Adrian Dunbar wasnt averse to a spot of booze-addled hell-raising.
After leaving his home town of Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Adrian attended the Guildhall School Of Music & Drama in London, befriending fellow students and future stars Neil Morrissey, Lesley Sharp, Charles Lawson and Reece Dinsdale.
“The first year was probably the most exciting time of my life,” Adrian recalls fondly.
“I was from a small market town during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, so it was a great release to move to this historic city and hang out with a great bunch of people.”
“There was a lot of drinking.”
I got arrested one night trying to stop a drunken Neil Morrissey staggering out into a busy road near Covent Garden.
Id only had a couple of pints, while Neil was out of it. The cop got the wrong man – I was the fall guy!”
After graduating, Adrian landed various roles, most notably in films My Left Foot and The Crying Game, plus Ashes To Ashes, Alan Bleasdales Melissa and Jimmy McGoverns Broken on TV.
He married Australian actress Anna Nygh in 1986 and is father to Madeleine, a rapper and songwriter, plus stepson Ted, who works in film production.
Adrians eyes light up when talking about his kids and hes looking forward to becoming a grandfather for the second time soon.
“Its really great,” he beams. “A grandchild is a member of the family carrying no baggage. Theyre the future generation and its such a positive thing that brings everyone together.”
“Im having a good time in my sixties, I just want to stay healthy and continue doing good work. Ive never been career orientated, Im just grateful for everything I have and dont torture myself about the things I dont have.
Interrogation over. Mr Adrian Dunbar, you are free to go…
READ MORE FROM SOURCE: https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1272945/adrian-dunbar-blood-line-of-duty-crime-drama-bbc-channel-5
