Coronation Street star returns to ITV in ‘twisty’ drama with Line of Duty icon
Ridley has a star-studded cast(Image: ITV)
Tonight, ITV is set to premiere the highly anticipated second season of its gripping detective drama, boasting an all-star cast. The upcoming season of Ridley promises to be a “gripping crime thriller” with Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar reprising his role as the titular character, Alex Ridley.
He will be joined by a talented ensemble, including Call the Midwife’s Georgie Glen, who takes on the role of Dr Wendy Newstone, and Death in Paradise’s Bronagh Waugh, who stars alongside Dunbar as DI Carol Farman.
The cast is further bolstered by George Bukhari, known for his portrayal of Sammy Farr in Coronation Street, as DC Darren Lakhan, and Midsomer Murders’ Julie Graham as Annie Marling.
Ridley is billed as a “twisty” mystery drama that follows the story of retired detective Alex Ridley, who is brought back into the police force as a consultant. The team relies on his vast expertise to crack complex cases.
The show was renewed by ITV in 2022, and its second season is expected to make a significant impact on television screens tonight, reports the Express.
The season premiere, titled ‘A Sleeping Tiger,’ is a two-hour episode that marks the first of four feature-length instalments. In this episode, Ridley delves into a high-stakes jewellery heist that takes a dark turn, becoming a mysterious murder case.
A key aspect of Ridley’s character is his struggle to cope with the loss of his wife and daughter. Adrian Dunbar has previously highlighted the importance of his backstory in shedding light on men’s mental health issues.
Speaking to Digital Spy, he shared: “I think a lot of men feel that they should just be able to kind of deal with stuff on their own and bury it and somehow work their way through it.
“But it takes a big toll on yourself. So you’ll see him [Ridley] crumble quite a bit, especially when he’s on his own. He finds it very difficult, and I suppose getting back to work is the start of a healing process.
“I think people should [take that away]. Isolation is a big deal, especially in rural areas. A lot of men in particular who are isolated if they’re alone. They do suffer greatly.”
A Call the Midwife icon will star(Image: BBC)
Despite gaining a considerable fanbase, Ridley’s first season received mixed reviews. The Daily Telegraph didn’t hold back, stating: “If you were playing a detective drama drinking game while watching Ridley, you’d have needed your stomach pumped by the second ad break.”
The Sunday Times described it as: “A curious mix of the formulaic and the flamboyant, plodding conventionality and vaulting ambition – rendered all the weirder by its central reliance on a strange blend of wine-bar karaoke and bland Irish balladry.”
Meanwhile, the Metro quipped: “By the time the first episode is over, you’ll be begging Monday morning to save you.”
However, not all reviews were negative, with The Guardian noting: “All the pieces are smoothly set in motion.”
The Wall Street Journal commented: “Let us say that the oft-times convoluted plot and the occasional absurdity are worth enduring for the personalities – Morse, Thursday and the wonderfully dry police pathologist, Dr. Max DeBryn (James Bradshaw).”
In contrast, a fan remarked: “The show has its shortfalls and aspects of detective work and precinct accessibility that do not ring true, but it is entertaining with twists & turns, serious and lightheartedness blended with sentimental moments.”
Another viewer mused: “Broad in its sweep and stirring in its storytelling, Ridley represents a person’s search for justice, no matter the personal or professional cost.”
