Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar kicks off filming for new crime thriller Ridley as he makes epic TV return
LINE of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar has kicked off filming for his new crime thriller Ridley as he makes epic TV return.
The Superintendent Hastings star will portray another detective in the new series, which is his first confirmed project since the controversial series six finale of the popular BBC crime drama.
The highly-anticipated thriller has begun filming in Lancashire - the cast 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).
The 62-year-old will star in the series created by Vera and written by Paul Matthew Thompson and the Northern Irishman couldn't be more excited.
“Ridley has begun shooting and we really couldn’t be off to a better start," Adrian shared.
"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.”
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He previously said: "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."
He added: "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."
Co-creator Jonathan Fisher added: "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.”
Ridley will focus on charismatic Detective Inspector Alex Ridley, who has decided to retire from the force after serving as a homicide copper for 25 years.
After being forced out from his beloved job, he will replaced by his former mentee - acting DI Carol Forman.
However, Carol enlists the help of Ridley for a very challenging murder case, in which the investigation "takes a dark and unexpected turn."
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.
One of the reasons for Adrian's Line of Duty alter-ego Ted Hastings' popularity are his hilarious catchphrases - which have been borrowed from his late father.
He said last month: "Those were phrases my father used.
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“The ‘Mother of God’ stuff comes from my dad who used to use that all the time."
Dunbar was just 21 when his dad — a construction company foreman — died of a brain haemorrhage.
