ITV at this time introduced fee of detective drama, Ridley, starring Adrian Dunbar within the main function.
Ridley is written and created by Paul Matthew Thompson, one of many lead writers of ITV’s iconic detective drama, Vera, and co-created by Jonathan Fisher (Blood, Hollington Drive, Penance), Managing Director of West Highway Photos. Each will act as Govt Producers.
Adrian Dunbar is finest identified for his function as Ted Hastings in Line of Obligation.
Commented Adrian Dunbar:
“I don’t suppose I’ve ever headed right into a manufacturing with extra pleasure and enthusiasm. As an actor I understand how uncommon it’s to be given such a beautiful alternative, and the mix of Polly Hill and Chloe Tucker at ITV and Jonathan Fisher at West Highway Photos means we’re in each secure and artistic fingers.
Jonathan and I labored carefully collectively on the very profitable sequence Blood, and I am assured we will deliver a few of that magic to Ridley. Right here’s to getting the workforce collectively and growing a present that audiences can discover each entertaining and interesting.”
Every of the four x 120’ movies will probably be produced by West Highway Photos with Paul Matthew Thompson writing episodes one, two and 4 and Julia Gilbert (Agatha Raisin, Midsomer Murders) writing episode three.
Commented Jonathan Fisher:
“I couldn’t be happier to be getting began on Ridley, as we proceed to construct the West Highway manufacturing slate with our second fee for ITV. We’re so excited to be teaming up as soon as once more with the inimitable Adrian Dunbar, bringing to life Paul Matthew Thompson’s characterful and interesting scripts. ITV has a wonderful custom of nurturing much-loved detective sequence, and it’s an actual privilege to be bringing Ridley to the channel.”
The sequence will introduce us to charismatic Detective Inspector Alex Ridley, who’s retiring from the police after years of devoted service. After twenty-five years as a murder copper, Ridley has been nudged out of the job he loves. However the prospect of retirement shouldn’t be a very welcome one as he is been reduce off in his prime.
Ridley’s substitute is Performing DI Carol Farman, his former protégée whom Ridley mentored for a few years. When he is enlisted by Carol as a police advisor on a posh and compelling homicide case, the investigation takes a darkish and surprising flip. Turning to her previous mentor for help, Carol is eager to entry Ridley’s distinctive perception into crime-solving which has served them so properly up to now.
With extra intriguing circumstances to resolve, Ridley will probably be enticed out of retirement into his former function, reviving his formidable and profitable partnership with Carol.
Impressed by actual life retired detectives re-joining police forces in a consultancy function given more and more over-stretched assets, Ridley will discover thought frightening crime tales in an unique and distinctive approach.
Commented Paul Matthew Thompson:
“I’m thrilled to be working with Jonathan Fisher and West Highway Photos to deliver Ridley to life for ITV. Equally delighted that he’ll be portrayed by the long-lasting Adrian Dunbar. Along with his maverick idiosyncrasies, a coronary heart on sleeve empathy and a novel strategy to fixing crime we hope Ridley will quickly be a part of the canon of favorite TV detectives.”
Ridley has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill, with Drama Commissioner, Chloe Tucker overseeing manufacturing of the drama from the channel’s perspective.
Commented Chloe Tucker:
“We’re completely delighted that Adrian Dunbar will probably be starring because the retired DI Ridley, a person who can not go away police work behind. We’re excited to be working with West Highway Photos once more, and to be bringing Paul Matthew Thompson’s sensible scripts to display screen.”
Ridley will start filming later this autumn and particulars of additional casting and key manufacturing personnel will probably be suggested nearer to filming commencing.
RTS Award profitable author, Paul Matthew Thompson, can also be identified for writing and creating Shakespeare and Hathaway – Non-public Investigators, and for his work on the Father Brown sequence.
West Highway Photos is the manufacturing firm launched by Jonathan Fisher in 2019. An All3Media firm, West Highway are at present in manufacturing on Hollington Drive for ITV. Since launching, West Highway have additionally produced a second sequence of award-winning Blood, starring Adrian Dunbar, and Penance. Jonathan is a former govt producer of Midsomer Murders, chargeable for main the world well-known model into its landmark 20th sequence.
The sequence is produced in affiliation with All3Media Worldwide who’re the drama’s international associate.
All3Media Worldwide will distribute the sequence internationally.