Line Of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar To Star In ITV Detective Drama ‘Ridley’
‘Line Of Duty’ star Adrian Dunbar is sticking with the police force, as ITV announce he will take the lead in a new contemporary detective drama, ‘Ridley‘, written by RTS award-winning writer Paul Matthew Thompson and produced by West Road Pictures.
The series will introduce us to charismatic Detective Inspector Alex Ridley (Dunbar), 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. 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.
“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,” commented Dunbar about his new gig. “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 drama is written and created by Paul Matthew Thompson, one of the lead writers of ITV’s iconic detective drama, ‘Vera’, along with ‘Shakespeare and Hathaway – Private Investigators’, and the ‘Father Brown’ series. It’s co-created by Jonathan Fisher (Blood, Hollington Drive, Penance), Managing Director of West Road Pictures, and both will act as Executive Producers.
“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,” adds Fisher. “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.”
The “series” will consist of 4 x 120 min films, and will be produced by West Road Pictures. Paul Matthew Thompson is writing episodes one, two and four and Julia Gilbert (Agatha Raisin, Midsomer Murders) writing episode three.
“I am thrilled to be working with Jonathan Fisher and West Road Pictures to bring Ridley to life for ITV,” said Thompson. “Equally delighted that he’ll be portrayed by the iconic Adrian Dunbar. With his maverick idiosyncrasies, a heart on sleeve empathy and a unique approach to solving crime we hope Ridley will soon join the canon of favourite TV detectives.”
‘Ridley‘ has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill, with Drama Commissioner, Chloe Tucker overseeing production of the drama from the channel’s perspective. The drama will begin filming later this autumn and details of further casting and key production personnel will be advised closer to filming commencing.
