Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar is switching channels to ITV after landing the lead role in a new detective drama.
Adrian, best known to millions of viewers as AC-12's head honcho Ted Hastings, has just confirmed in the title role of Ridley in the newly confirmed programme of the same name.
In a storyline slightly similar to how things were panning out for Hastings as he came up against the formidable Patricia Carmichael in the last series of Line of Duty, Adrian's new on-screen alias Ridley has been nudged out of the job he loves after 25 years of service.
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 has been inspired by the experiences of real-life retired detectives who have re-joined their forces to offer much needed assistance and talking about his new role, 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."
Ridley, which will have four 2 hour episodes is written by Paul Matthew Thompson, one of the lead writers of smash hit ITV drama Vera.
It will begin filming in the autumn.
