Mover over AC-12, Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar has some urgent crimes to solve in Ridley series 2 before he can return to duty! ITV’s hit series is officially making its way back to our screens this August – and if the newly released trailer and pictures (check them out below) are anything to go by, it seems the actor has quite a big job on his hands.

The new four-part instalment will see Dunbar reprise his role as retired detective turned police consultant, Alex Ridley, and he’s got a mysterious vanishing, a major shooting and even a jewellery heist to deal with. As we await its arrival, here's everything you need to know about the new series - and why Dunbar's return to Line of Duty might be a little delayed...

What is Ridley about?

The hit series is inspired by real-life retired detectives re-joining police forces in consultancy roles in the face of increasingly over-stretched resources – so, as well as being a brilliantly addictive crime series, it also tackles some hard truths. The first instalment aired in 2022 and followed Adrian Dunbar's titular hero - you guessed it, a retired detective turned police consultant - Alex Ridley, who was also grappling with the loss of both his wife and daughter in an arson attack on their home.

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ITV

Over the course of four episodes, he dealt with complex crimes, including the murder of a sheep farmer, a jazz singer who went missing 40 years ago, and the death of a man after falling from his balcony. We also saw Ridley get some closure over the loss of his loved ones, he began therapy and he returned to performing at the jazz club which he co-owns with Annie Marling (Julie Graham). If you want to see Adrian Dunbar sing, this is the series for you!

What will happen in Ridley series 2?

The second series will consist of four two-hour-long films, with Ridley (Adrian Dunbar), back on duty to solve more crimes alongside DI Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh). The pair have a new slate of mysteries on their hands, including a jewellery heist that turns into a murder case, a man who’s shot dead during an illegal rave on a building site and a beloved local wife and mother who disappears out of nowhere.

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ITV

According to the official synopsis, Ridley is in for quite the rollercoaster as he faces "formidable challenges, working tirelessly to solve the most intricate and perplexing cases". The new series has been penned by Vera writers Paul Matthew Thompson and Michael Bhim together with Midsomer Murders writer Julia Gilbert – which suggests we’re in for another treat!

Who's starring in Ridley series 2?

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ITV

The cast of Ridley series 2 includes:

  • Adrian Dunbar as Alex Ridley
  • Bronagh Waugh as DI Carol Farman
  • George Bukhari as DC Darren Lakhan
  • Terence Maynard as Goodwin
  • Georgie Glen as Dr Wendy Newstone
  • Aidan McArdle as Michael Flannery
  • Bhavna Limbachia as Geri Farman
  • Tareq Al Jeddal as Jack Farman
  • Julie Graham as Annie Marling

Is there a trailer for Ridley series 2?

Yes, ITV has just released a new trailer, which you can watch below:

Is Ridley any good?

Yes - it’s excellent, in fact. A sort of cross between Vera, Unforgotten and Midsomer Murders, it’s brilliantly written and each episode covers a new case, so there’s no getting bored with this show. The first series was ITV's fourth biggest drama launch of 2022, with the premiere reaching 7.1 million viewers and averaging out at 6.3 million.

How can I watch Ridley series 2?

ITV hasn't yet confirmed an official release date for Ridley series 2, but we do know that it's coming to ITV1 and ITVX this August, which means we don't have long to wait! As soon as a date is locked in, we'll share it here.