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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Entertainment
Lauren Harte

Ridley: Everything we know so far about ITV's new crime drama starring Adrian Dunbar

After months of teasers, Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar is finally coming to our TV screens in his new police role in ITV's crime drama, Ridley.

There is plenty of excitement surrounding the upcoming mini-series starring the Co Fermanagh man, 64, who is taking on the titular role alongside fellow Northern Irish actor, Bronagh Waugh.

Ridley was originally given the green light in June 2021 so it's been quite a wait for viewers from Northern Ireland and across the UK for the four episode thriller.

Read more: Adrian Dunbar says it 'wasn't a problem' to play another cop in ITV crime drama

Here's everything we know about ITV's Ridley so far:

When is Ridley on TV?

Thankfully, the end is almost in sight as it has been announced that Ridley will premiere on ITV this Sunday, August 28, at 8pm.

It will consist of four episodes in total with each one a feature-length of around two hours.

Who is the team behind Ridley?

Ridley has been written and created by Paul Matthew Thompson, one of the lead writers of another ITV iconic detective drama, Vera, and co-created by Jonathan Fisher (Blood, Hollington Drive, Penance).

Who is in the cast of Ridley?

Leading the cast of Ridley on ITV is none other than Adrian Dunbar , from Enniskillen as the charismatic Detective Inspector Alex Ridley, who is retiring from the police after years of dedicated service.

Best known for his portrayal of Supt Ted Hastings in BBC's Line of Duty, Dunbar has also appeared in The Crying Game, Hear My Song, Blood, Five Fables and Broken.

He will be joined by The Fall actress Bronagh Waugh as DI Carol Farman, a former protégée whom Ridley mentored for many years and is now in charge of investigations.

Soap fans will best remember Coleraine-born Waugh for her role as Cheryl Brady in Channel 4's Hollyoaks for four years.

Some of its other stars will include Coronation Street's Terence Maynard as DCI Paul Goodwin, Years and Years' George Bukhari as DC Darren Lakhan and The Crown's Georgie Glen as pathologist Dr Wendy Newstone.

Dunbar has previously opened up about what it has been like starring in another police-based drama after Line of Duty.

He said it "wasn't a problem" to play another cop but stressed that the character of Ridley is somewhat different.

"For me once I see myself out of uniform, it's a completely different character," he said.

"Ted is office bound and uniform bound, very tied and interesting, a dignified and formal character whereas this guy (Alex) is complicated and a bit gruff.

"You don't feel warmth from him at the start, naturally enough because of what's happened to him but I think that will progress.

"We've given ourselves a platform where we can progress his character and the series and see the development of all the characters. They've all got a backstory and somewhere to go and we can keep the audience alive with us by doing that."

What will Ridley be about?

Detective Inspector Alex Ridley (played by Dunbar ) has retired from the force after years of dedicated service.

He is replaced by DI Carol Farman (Waugh), Ridley's former protégée who he mentored for many years before retiring.

In the drama, Carol enlists Ridley's help on a complex murder case that takes a "dark and unexpected turn".

She turns to her former mentor for guidance and unique insight in the hope of cracking the case.

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.

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

What do we know about episode one?

ITV has released details of the plot for the opening episode of Ridley as the series begins.

When a local farmer is found dead, Ridley is called on by his ex-colleague and newly promoted DI Carol Farman to assist on a missing persons case that remains unsolved after 13 years.

Ridley always suspected the investigation was flawed, and that the wrong man was tried for Hannah's Lindsay's abduction.

As they delve deeper, they uncover another body, and a shocking secret.

Ridley will premiere this Sunday, August 28, at 8pm on ITV.

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