Actors Cate Blanchett and Adrian Dunbar will receive the Freedom of the City of London for their work in the arts.

The 56-year-old Australian, who won Oscars for her roles in The Aviator and Blue Jasmine, has long been an advocate for action on climate change and a range of humanitarian issues.

Northern Irishman Dunbar, 66, is best known for his time as Supt Ted Hastings in the award-winning TV series Line of Duty and has written and directed plays.

Both have performed at the Barbican over the past year, and Mr Dunbar is an alumnus of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, freedoms are believed to have been handed out since 1237.

They give thanks to individuals for their contribution to London or public life – or to celebrate a very significant achievement, the City of London Corporation (CLC) says.

Ms Blanchett’s and Mr Dunbar’s names were included on a list of more than 50 people nominated to receive the Freedom, which was approved at a Court of Common Council.

Alderman Russell, chair of the CLC’s Freedom applications committee, said Freedom is “offered as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement”.

Representatives for Blanchett and Dunbar have been approached for comment.