Sure, there are a few. A keen sense of mission, a dedication to justice, some heartbreak lurking behind the eyes. But the differences are far more intriguing. Rather than Hastings’ interest in one thing and one thing only… bent coppers, Ridley has a keen ear for jazz (as well as an eye for injustice), as the series foregrounds grief, loneliness and the healing power of music.

I played in bands, I know the music scene reasonably well. But I’ve never had a platform on TV to show that I can sing,” continues Dunbar. “I’m not the world’s best singer, but these songs really suit me.”a b Costa, Maddy (2 September 2005). "Richard Hawley, Coles Corner". The Guardian. London . Retrieved 31 October 2012. vinyl (MUTE 362): "Born Under a Bad Sign" (single version) / "I'm Just Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail"

More on Line of Duty (and its possible return) later – because, yes, the gaffer has some news – but there is much to discuss as Dunbar calls in from the north-west of Ireland, 40 miles from his hometown of Enniskillen. Adrian has brought great depth to the character and was particularly passionate about incorporating the jazz elements into the piece.” It would just give me such pleasure,” he says. “He’s got a huge cult following, but it would be amazing if he got really big after this. He’s a nice guy. We spoke a lot, then I met up with him at a documentary festival in Sheffield. Richard is very politically active, and he is concerned about his own community as well.” ITV has a fine tradition of producing enduring Sunday detective dramas, from Morse and Frost to Vera and Endeavour,” Fisher tells us. “Adrian carries such gravitas with his performances and is so well-loved by the public, I felt he was a perfect fit for this kind of role. Another great passion is music. And, working with the series producer Jonathan Fisher from very early in the process on Ridley, Dunbar was able to weave this into the character they created. Because DI Ridley is not just a detective. He sings. Dennis Potter would be delighted.The club scenes in Ridley really did remind me of Hear My Song,” he says. “It’s an environment I’m really comfortable in. I sent some pictures to my friend Peter Chelsom, who I wrote the film with, and it reminded him of those days as well. Very much, actually. a b Begrand, Adrien (6 September 2005). "Richard Hawley: Coles Corner". PopMatters . Retrieved 31 October 2012. In the series, a music venue is a real lifeline for Adrian Dunbar’s character. You’re fighting to save the Leadmill at the moment, aren’t you? Wright, Helen (5 September 2005). "Richard Hawley – Coles Corner". MusicOMH . Retrieved 31 October 2012.