Line Of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar cast as the lead in new ITV cop show Ridley

ITV has announced a new detective drama, with Line Of Duty star Adrian Dunbar in the lead, titled Ridley.

The series will portray a retiring Detective Inspector, Alex Ridley, played by Adrian, who has been pushed out of the job he loves.

Adrian has acted as Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line Of Duty on BBC One for the past six years, and has become a favourite with TV fans over the past decade.

Of the new show, he 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.

‘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.’

On the force: Adrian has acted as Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line Of Duty on BBC One for the past six years, and has become a favourite with TV fans over the past decade [pictured with co-star Vicky McClure in LOD series 4]

The plot sees Ridley replaced by his former protégée, Acting DI Carol Farman, who later enlists him as a police consultant on a complex murder case.

This then takes a dark and unexpected turn, and he is enticed out of retirement into his former role and revives his partnership with Carol.

Paul Matthew Thompson – one of the lead writers of ITV detective drama Vera – has written and co-created the show, alongside Jonathan, and both will act as executive producers.

Jonathan said: ‘I couldn’t be happier to be getting started on Ridley, as we continue to build the West Road production slate with our second commission for ITV.

Long-running role: Adrian is pictured on the most recent series of Line Of Duty with Anna Maxwell Martin

‘We’re so excited to be teaming up once again with the inimitable Adrian Dunbar, bringing to life Paul Matthew Thompson’s characterful and engaging scripts.

‘ITV has a fine tradition of nurturing much-loved detective series, and it’s a real privilege to be bringing Ridley to the channel.’

Paul added: ‘I am thrilled to be working with Jonathan Fisher and West Road Pictures to bring Ridley to life for ITV.

‘Equally delighted that he’ll be portrayed by the iconic Adrian Dunbar. With his maverick idiosyncrasies, a heart on sleeve empathy and a unique approach to solving crime we hope Ridley will soon join the canon of favourite TV detectives.’

The four, two-hour episodes will begin filming later this autumn.

Of the new show, he said: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever headed into a production with more excitement and enthusiasm’ [pictured in LOD last month]