Adrian Dunbar detective series Ridley starts filming in Lancashire

Adrian Dunbar detective series Ridley starts filming in Lancashire

ITV detective drama, Ridley, starring Adrian Dunbar in the title role, has begun filming in Lancashire. The retired detective, who is now working in a consultancy role, resumes his partnership with his former protégée, DI Carol Farman, played by Bronagh Waugh (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 (Blood, Hollington Drive, Penance), Managing Director of West Road Pictures. Both will act as Executive Producers alongside Ingrid Goodwin. It is a West Road Pictures Production for ITV in association with All3Media International.

Filming across Northern England the Ridley cast also includes Terence Maynard (Time, Coronation Street) as DCI Paul Goodwin, George Bukhari (Years and Years, The A Word) as DC Darren Lakhan, Georgie Glen (The Crown, Call the Midwife) as pathologist Dr Wendy Newstone. The regular cast also includes Bhavna Limbachia (Citizen Khan, Coronation Street), Aidan McArdle (The Trial of Christine Keeler, The Fall) and Julie Graham (Shetland, Penance).

Commented Adrian Dunbar:

“Ridley has begun shooting and we really couldn’t be off to a better start. Despite the wintry weather, everything from cast and crew right down to the catering is excellent. Bronagh Waugh has stepped into her character’s shoes seamlessly and we have been joined by some great actors with more to come.”

Each of the 4 x 2 hour films will be produced by West Road Pictures with Paul Matthew Thompson writing episodes one, two and four and Julia Gilbert (Agatha Raisin, Midsomer Murders) writing episode three. Juliet Charlesworth (Stay Close, Happy Valley, Scott & Bailey) is the producer, and the directors are Bryn Higgins (episodes 1 and 4), Noreen Kershaw (episode 2), and Paul Gay (episode 3).  

Commented Jonathan Fisher:

“It’s a real thrill for filming to be underway with such a top-rate cast starring alongside Adrian Dunbar and led by a superb production team. We can’t wait to share this absorbing new detective series with our audience.”

The series will introduce us to charismatic Detective Inspector Alex Ridley, who is retiring from the police after years of dedicated service. Ridley’s replacement is DI Carol Farman (Waugh), 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 revive 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.

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.

RTS Award winning writer, Paul Matthew Thompson, is also known for writing and creating Shakespeare and Hathaway – Private Investigators, and for his work on the Father Brown series. 

West Road Pictures is the production company launched by Jonathan Fisher in 2019. An All3Media company, West Road most recently produced Hollington Drive for ITV. Since launching, West Road have also produced a second series of award-winning Blood, starring Adrian Dunbar, and Penance. Jonathan is a former executive producer of Midsomer Murders, responsible for leading the world-famous brand into its landmark 20th series.

The series is produced in association with All3Media International who are the drama’s global partner.