Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar has taken a career turn away from tense police drama by signing up for his first musical.

The Highgate resident, best known for playing Superintendent Ted Hastings in the hit TV series, will appear in the classic comedy Kiss Me Kate at the Barbican in June.

The Tony-award winning show blends the music of Cole Porter with a witty, battle-of-the-sexes backstage tale of feuding former spouses in a theatre company putting on a production of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.

Featuring mistaken identity, romantic entanglements, gangsters, and a spectacular tap routine, the show's 50-strong company will perform classics such as Another Op'nin, Another Show, and It’s Too Darn Hot.

Ham & High: The Northern Irish actor is perhaps best known for playing Supt Ted Hastings in all six series of Line of DutyThe Northern Irish actor is perhaps best known for playing Supt Ted Hastings in all six series of Line of Duty

The Irish actor makes his musical theatre debut as Fred Graham/Petruchio, and Tony award winner Stephanie J. Block plays Lilli Vanessi/Katharine in a production directed by Bartlett Sher.  (The King and I, South Pacific and To Kill A Mockingbird)

There's also a Tony-award winning creative team including choreographer Anthony Van Laast, costume designer Catherine Zuber, and set designer Michael Yeargan.

“I’m so delighted to be returning to the stage this summer to my spiritual home at the Barbican - where I started my career at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama," said Dunbar.

"Especially in this Cole Porter classic with the wonderful creative team including Bart Sher and Stephanie J. Block.  Summer 2024 just got a lot brighter!”

Stephanie J. Block said: "How wonderfully scary and challenging and THRILLING. I cannot wait to dive into this timeless classic and put a fresh stamp on it alongside the incredible Adrian Dunbar. Mark my words, this KISS ME, KATE will most definitely not be just 'another openin', another show'."

Producer Howard Panter said: “I’m delighted to be working with Adrian, Stephanie and Bart to bring this classic, hilarious golden-age musical comedy to the Barbican this summer. Cole Porter’s timeless masterpiece has everything you want: it’s fun, infectious and pure entertainment."

Kiss Me Kate runs at the Barbican from June 4 until September 14 with tickets on sale from January 19 at KissMeKateMusical.com