Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar announces exciting new role

Adrian Dunbar is swapping catching criminals for exploring Ireland...

Channel 5 has announced that Line of Duty's Adrian Dunbar will present a brand new series called Scenic Ireland.

Adrian, who is best known for playing Line of Duty's Superintendent Ted Hastings since 2012, has returned to his roots this new two-part series.

Adrian Dunbar

Adrian on Skellig Michael look out at Little Skellig (Picture: Channel 5)

The series, coming to our screens later this year, will see Adrian journeying through the wild and captivating scenery along one of the world's most impressive coastlines.

Alone the way Adrian will be stopping off to catch up with old friends, whilst also making new ones.

More: The best TV shows coming to your screen in autumn 2020

The actor will take on the adventure of a lifetime as he climbs to the summit of Skellig Michael to swapping stories with the last salmon fisherman on Carrick a Rede.

This is also a personal journey for Adrian, who will be sampling the hearty food from his homeland, while soaking up the breathtaking views.

Adrian will be seen exploring Mount Stewart (Picture: Channel 5)

Adrian will be seen exploring Mount Stewart (Picture: Channel 5)

Speaking of his new project, which is a big departure from his usual time spent filming police thriller Line of Duty, Adrian said: "This has been the most wonderful trip, seeing old friends and visiting places I had dreamed of going to for years... a truly memorable experience."

Emma-Rosa Dias, Managing Director of Belfast based production company, Afro-Mic, shared an insight into the dramas surrounding filming... "We’d planned to film in sunny May, but the pandemic had other ideas.

Adrian Dunbar

It's a wrap! Adrian Dunbar celebrates after filming his final scenes (Picture: Channel 5)

"With rigorous Covid training, a tight 5-person team and regular testing, Adrian and the crew were able to hit the road safely… just in time for Storm Ellen!

"But then where would a series about Ireland be without a bit of dramatic weather?! We’ve loved sharing such a personal journey with Adrian, and we are so excited to be showing off our gorgeous Irish coastline."

Scenic Ireland will air on Channel 5 later this year.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.