He's best known for catching bent coppers in Line of Duty and it seems Adrian Dunbar won't have to venture too far from his police attire as he takes on his latest acting role.
ITV today announced the commission of detective drama, Ridley , in which the Co Fermanagh man will take on the main role.
The series 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.
Speaking of his excitement at the job, Adrian said: “I don’t think I’ve ever headed into a production with more excitement and enthusiasm. As an actor I know how rare it is to be given such a wonderful opportunity, and the combination of Polly Hill and Chloe Tucker at ITV and Jonathan Fisher at West Road Pictures means we are in both safe and creative hands.
"Jonathan and I worked closely together on the very successful series Blood , and I'm confident we can bring some of that magic to Ridley . Here’s to getting the team together and developing a show that audiences can find both entertaining and engaging.”
The series will introduce us to charismatic Detective Inspector Alex Ridley, who is retiring from the police after years of dedicated service. After twenty-five years as a homicide copper, Ridley has been nudged out of the job he loves. But the prospect of retirement is not a particularly welcome one as he's been cut off in his prime.
Ridley’s replacement is Acting DI Carol Farman, his former protégée whom Ridley mentored for many years. When he's enlisted by Carol as a police consultant on a complex and compelling murder case, the investigation takes a dark and unexpected turn. Turning to her old mentor for support, Carol is keen to access Ridley’s unique insight into crime-solving which has served them so well in the past.
With more intriguing cases to solve, Ridley will be enticed out of retirement into his former role, reviving his formidable and successful partnership with Carol.
The series is inspired by real life retired detectives re-joining police forces in a consultancy role given increasingly over-stretched resources.
Executive Producer Jonathan Fisher added: “I couldn’t be happier to be getting started on Ridley , as we continue to build the West Road production slate with our second commission for ITV.
"We’re so excited to be teaming up once again with the inimitable Adrian Dunbar, bringing to life Paul Matthew Thompson’s characterful and engaging scripts.
"ITV has a fine tradition of nurturing much-loved detective series, and it’s a real privilege to be bringing Ridley to the channel.”
Ridley will begin filming later this autumn and details of further casting and key production personnel is set to be released closer to filming commencing.
