Adrian Dunbar is set to return to screens as a second series of his popular detective drama Ridley has been comissioned.
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, Managing Director of West Road Pictures.
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Speaking about the news of the return of Ridley, Adrian Dunbar said: "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."
Juliet Charlesworth returns to produce series two and drama Commissioner Huw Kennair Jones will oversee production of the series on behalf of ITV.
He commented: "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 - 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.
The first series, which aired in 2022, launched with 7.1m viewers and averaged 6.3m over its four episodes.
This was ITV1's 4th biggest new drama launch that year.
Jonathan Fisher added: "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 continued: "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.
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