Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar has revealed he is praying his character Superintendent Ted Hastings survives the series finale, which airs this week. The actor, who plays the head of AC-12, said he hopes the beloved anti-corruption chief is not revealed as the mysterious 'H', the most corrupt officer in the force.
Dunbar, a Catholic from Northern Ireland like Hastings, discussed the possibility of his character finding love again after his wife Roisin seeks a divorce. When asked about dating apps, he joked that creator Jed Mercurio might 'have a bit of fun' with the uptight superintendent.
The finale features a lengthy interrogation scene with Hastings, who was last seen in a prison cell shouting 'I am not bent!' Dunbar remained tight-lipped on plot details, saying: 'You always have to do that with Line of Duty. There's a possibility of...'
Dunbar explained that Mercurio originally envisioned Hastings as a shambolic genius in the Columbo mould, but the character evolved during auditions. Making him a Catholic in the RUC added an outsider element, allowing Dunbar to keep his own accent for authenticity.
The actor praised co-star Martin Compston, who maintains an Estuary accent throughout filming despite his native Scots. 'He keeps his accent going and then at about one o'clock in the morning, he just goes into Scots,' Dunbar said, adding that they cannot understand him by then.
Fans have enjoyed Hastings' catchphrases like 'Now we're sucking diesel' and 'I didn't float up the Lagan on a bubble'. Dunbar said Mercurio was receptive to his suggestions for Northern Irish-isms, helping to shape the character's unique voice.
