RIDLEY: ADRIAN DUNBAR DRAMA RENEWED FOR SECOND SERIES ON ITV

ITV have ordered a second series of detective series Ridley starring Adrian Dunbar in the title role.

The retired detective turned police consultant will resume his partnership with former protégée, DI Carol Farman, played by Bronagh Waugh (The Suspect, Unforgotten, The Fall), who is now in charge of investigations.

Ridley is written and created by Paul Matthew Thompson, one of the lead writers of ITV’s iconic detective drama, Vera, and co-created by Jonathan Fisher (Blood, Hollington Drive, Penance), Managing Director of West Road Pictures. Both will act as Executive Producers alongside Ingrid Goodwin. Juliet Charlesworth (Stay Close, Happy Valley, Scott & Bailey) returns to produce series two.

ITV's Huw Kennair Jones: “We can't wait to welcome Adrian back to ITV as we return to the beautiful Lancashire countryside for four brand new cases for Ridley and the team to investigate. And we're looking forward to working with West Road Pictures and Paul Matthew Thompson on what promises to be another great series.”

Ridley returns to solve more crimes in four two hour films written by Paul Matthew Thompson with Julia Gilbert (Midsomer Murders) and Michael Bhim (Vera) each writing an episode.

Series one introduced us to charismatic former Detective Inspector Alex Ridley, who retired from the police after years of dedicated service having lost his wife and daughter in a devastating arson attack on their family home.

Adrian Dunbar says: “There can be no greater endorsement of hard work and talent than the recommission of a series and to that end we have to thank ITV and the British public for taking to Ridley in such numbers. We shall certainly work just as hard to keep the standard we have set and I look forward to developing Ridley as a character over the next four episodes.”

Commented Jonathan Fisher: “It was a huge pleasure to produce Ridley for ITV, and we were delighted with the audience response. We’re very excited to be bringing our fantastic cast and crew back together for another series of intriguing mysteries, which we hope will continue to captivate viewers.”

Paul Matthew Thompson adds: “Thrilled to be working with Jonathan Fisher and West Road Pictures again to bring Ridley back to our screens. Adrian Dunbar’s brilliant portrayal struck a chord with ITV viewers, and I can’t wait to share what happens next, as the singing detective settles into his new role of Copelton Police Consultant...

"Ridley’s unique and idiosyncratic approach to crime solving will once more be at the forefront of each feature length investigation. His animated partnership with DI Carol Farman will be tested, as together they set out to solve some dark and unsettling crimes.”

Inspired by real life retired detectives re-joining police forces in a consultancy role given increasingly over-stretched resources, Ridley explores thought provoking crime stories in an original and distinctive way.

The new series will begin shooting across Northern England in Autumn 2023.