ITV Ridley series 2 cast in full from Call The Midwife to Vera stars

In 2022, ITV had audiences on the edge of their seats with the launch of its captivating new crime drama, Ridley.

Adrian Dunbar stepped into the shoes of a retired detective who is drawn back into the fray by his former protegee, DI Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh), to assist with a complex and enthralling murder mystery.

The series, with its dark and unforeseen twists, left viewers clamouring for more. To the excitement of its fans, Ridley has returned to crack even more baffling cases, reports Lancs Live.

The official synopsis for the second series states: "Alex Ridley is a charismatic former Detective Inspector, who retired from the police after years of dedicated service having lost his wife and daughter in a devastating arson attack on their family home. In this thrilling crime series, Ridley has returned to the police force as a police consultant, joining forces with his former protegee, DI Carol Farman, now at the helm of investigations.

"Series two sees Ridley return to our screens, investigating crimes which will take him from the atmospheric moors, investigating a historic murder, to the pulsating beats of an illegal rave. Ridley must face formidable challenges as he works tirelessly to solve the most intricate and perplexing cases."

With the four-part series set to premiere this weekend, let's preview some of the renowned actors that viewers can look forward to seeing.

Adrian Dunbar takes the lead as Alex Ridley in the acclaimed series, with his portrayal of Superintendent Ted Hastings in BBC's hit crime drama Line of Duty already etched in viewers' minds.

The Irish actor's impressive repertoire includes roles in Blood, Broken, Silent Witness and Death in Paradise.

Reflecting on his return to Ridley, the 67-year-old actor shared: "Well, coming back, of course, was a wonderful experience, because the first series did so well. It was really well-received.

"There's that feeling when you get a second series, there's a really good buzz. We felt great about coming back and meeting everybody again, and we had the same crew, so it was fantastic."

Bronagh Waugh reprises her role as DI Carol Farman in Ridley, playing the former protegee of Ridley who appeared in the show's first series.

The new season kicks off with Carol and Ridley in a frantic race against time following a deadly jewellery heist, as they work to unmask the criminal mastermind orchestrating the operation.

She expressed her excitement about returning to the set, stating: "I was thrilled and delighted that we came back for a second series. The first series is establishing character and finding your feet, and for me, the second series was like, I know her, I know who she is, so it felt like I could dive straight into it."

Audiences might also recognise Bronagh Waugh from her performances in The Fall, Unforgotten and Viewpoint.

ITV viewers will recall Terence Maynard from the first series of Ridley, where he portrayed the head of the police force, DCI Paul Goodwin.

Despite his stern and rigid demeanour, it's evident that he is invested in the team's success, notwithstanding his complicated relationship with Ridley.

In the inaugural series, the pair had to set their personal feelings aside and collaborate for the sake of the case. However, can they sustain this newfound professional rapport?

The actor may be familiar to audiences from his roles in The Witcher, Sherwood and Professor T.

George Bukhari, who played DC Darren Lakhan in Ridley, was a hit with fans in the first season.

After a turbulent adolescence, he joined the military and served for two years before transitioning to the police department.

In the show, he's seen as the 'go-to' person for new leads and is always willing to go the extra mile for the team.

Beyond the ITV series, George is best known for his role as Sammy Farr in Coronation Street, a part he played intermittently from 2019 to 2022. Aside from his soap opera fame, the actor has also appeared in After the Flood, Years and Years and Vera.

Heading up the forensic team in Ridley is Dr Wendy Newstone, portrayed by Georgie Glen. ITV viewers have come to appreciate her expert knowledge during investigations, which proves invaluable in assisting Ridley and Carol with their cases.

Beyond the crime drama, Georgie Glen is recognised for her performances in Call The Midwife, Waterloo Road, The Crown and Am I Being Unreasonable?

The cast of Ridley this series also boasts the talents of Julie Graham, Bhavna Limbachia, Tareq Al-Jeddal and John Michie.

Ridley season two will premiere on Sunday, August 10th at 8pm on ITV1.