ITV's Ridley Series Starring Adrian Dunbar Quietly Axed After Two Seasons
ITV has appeared to quietly end one of its detective dramas, with the crime procedural Ridley starring Line of Duty favourite Adrian Dunbar now officially off the air. The channel has paused the series after just two seasons, which originally aired in 2021 and 2025, confirming there are currently no plans for its return.
Musical Detective Drama Failed to Secure Renewal
The drama, co-created by Paul Matthew Thompson (one of the lead writers of Vera) and Jonathan Fisher (known for Blood), followed former detective inspector Alex Ridley, brought back as a consultant to assist former colleague Carol Farman, played by Bronagh Waugh. What set Ridley apart from other crime procedurals were the scenes where Dunbar's character – a pianist and singer – performed in a jazz club, crooning songs including Richard Hawley's "Coles Corner," "As the Dawn Breaks," and "Open Up the Door."
An ITV spokesperson stated: "There are currently no plans to return to Ridley. We'd like to extend our thanks to creator and writer Paul Matthew Thompson, executive producer Jonathan Fisher and the team at West Road Pictures for producing two successful series."
Dunbar's Focus Shifts to Line of Duty Return
At the time of his casting in Ridley, Dunbar expressed significant enthusiasm, saying: "I don't think I've ever headed into a production with more excitement and enthusiasm." However, his attention now turns to reprising his iconic role as Superintendent Ted Hastings in the BBC's ratings smash Line of Duty, with production on the seventh season commencing in Belfast this month.
Dunbar returns alongside Martin Compston and Vicky McClure as police officers hunting corrupt colleagues. The new series will feature Robert Carlyle as Detective Constable Shaun Massie, a veteran marksman with Tactical Operations Unit 7. Creator Jed Mercurio commented: "I know viewers will be on the edge of their seats wondering what his character will do next, and why."
Line of Duty's Controversial Plotlines Return
The seventh season will reintroduce the controversial "H" plotline, despite the divisive 2021 finale that revealed DSI Ian Buckells (played by Nigel Boyle) as the corrupt officer. Boyle addressed fan disappointment, noting: "There's always going to be some element of disappointment. You can't have every series end with a big shoot out. Sometimes a subtler message is more important."
Line of Duty has maintained massive viewership, with the series six finale becoming the biggest drama episode (excluding soaps) since modern records began in 2002, attracting 17 million viewers across 28 days. The show originally aired on BBC Two before moving to BBC One for its second season.
With Ridley now concluded, ITV's crime drama slate loses a unique entry, while Dunbar's return to Line of Duty promises to deliver the tense, corruption-focused storytelling that has defined the BBC series for years.
