Skip to main contentSkip to footer

The Suspect star Aidan Turner's surprising career before acting revealed

The actor is currently starring in ITV's new drama


the suspect ep 3 aidan© Photo: ITV
Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
September 12, 2022
Share this:

Aidan Turner is perhaps best known for starring as Ross Poldark in the BBC's popular drama series, Poldark, and more recently as Dr Loughlin in ITV's The Suspect

MORE: The Suspect's Aidan Turner reveals details on intimate Italian wedding

But did you know that before he rose to fame as an actor, he began his showbiz career as a ballroom dancer? 

WATCH: Have you seen Aidan Turner as Leonardo da Vinci in Prime's Leonardo?

Speaking to Vanity Fair back in 2015, he revealed that he represented Ireland for a decade as a competitive dancer. "I was six when I started," he said. "I represented Ireland in ballroom and Latin-American dancing for ten years."

"I sort of hated it. Then suddenly you start winning, and, well, I'm quite a competitive person," he added. 

The actor even placed third in the All-Ireland National Dance Championships during his time as a dancer. 

MORE: Who is The Suspect star Aidan Turner's famous wife?

MORE: The Suspect viewers convinced they've worked out killer for same reason

After realising his interest in drama, Aidan went on to study at the Gaiety School of Acting in 2004.

aidan the suspect ep 3© Photo: ITV

Aidan as Doctor Joe in The Suspect

The 39-year-old's big break came in the form of the hit BBC Three series Being Human, in which he played vampire John Mitchell. He was later cast as Kili in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit Trilogy before going on to perform the title role in Poldark

Aidan is currently starring in ITV's new thriller, The Suspect, in which he plays Doctor Joe O'Loughlin, whose seemingly perfect life begins to fall apart after the body of a young woman is found in a shallow grave.

For those who have yet to catch up on the first few episodes, it follows the doctor as he becomes involved in the murder case and is only too willing to offer his expertise. 

aidan poldark© Photo: BBC

Aidan is known for starring in the BBC's Poldark

"Now known for his risk-taking and rule-breaking does Joe have more to hide?" teases the ITV synopsis. "His recent diagnosis with a degenerative condition could explain his behaviour. But as the investigation into the woman's death gathers pace, we start to ask, do we know the real Joe, or does he have a secret life? And has his work as a clinical psychologist allowed him to develop a criminal mindset? Or worse?"

Like this story? Sign up to our What to Watch newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up to Off Camera for all the gossip and goings-on from the wonderful world of TV and film

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more