Ridley cast: Meet the characters and actors in Adrian Dunbar drama
The star-studded series features real singing from the Line of Duty icon.
Ridley is back for its second outing on ITV, with Adrian Dunbar back at the helm as singing detective Alex Ridley.
The second season began last week with a grisly crime at the heart of the episode to truly kick things off.
Tonight (17th August), the discovery of a decomposed body in the depths of Hawsley Wood sends shockwaves through the team as it is identified as a woman who vanished six years previously.
The other cases the team investigate this season are the body of the heir to a property empire, which is uncovered at an illegal rave, and the disappearance of a beloved local wife and mother.
A number of familiar faces have returned alongside Dunbar, including Call the Midwife's Georgie Glen, Sherwood's Terence Maynard and Shetland's Julie Graham.
Find the full rundown below.
Ridley cast: Who stars in the ITV series?
- Adrian Dunbar plays Alex Ridley
- Bronagh Waugh plays Detective Inspector Carol Farman
- Terence Maynard plays DCI Paul Goodwin
- George Bukhari plays DC Darren Lakhan
- Georgie Glen plays Dr Wendy Newstone
- Julie Graham plays Annie Marling
- Aidan McArdle plays Michael Flannery
- Bhavna Limbachia plays Geri Farman-Hoyle
- Tareq Al-Jeddal plays Jack Farman-Hoyle
- Suzanne Packer plays Dr Samantha Larsson
- John Michie plays Harry Bentham
For more information about the characters and where you've seen the cast before, read on.
Adrian Dunbar plays Alex Ridley
Who is Alex Ridley? After 25 years as a detective, Ridley thought he'd retired from the force, until a dark and complex case tempts him back as a consultant in season 1. Ridley doesn't suffer fools easily, and his unorthodox policing methods sometimes get him in trouble - especially when he becomes too attached to a case. He's a big empath, and shows real talent in understanding the psychology of murders.
When we meet Ridley, his life is in turmoil having lost his wife and daughter in an arson attack 18 months ago. He couldn't come to terms with the tragedy and his guilt got the better of him, meaning he took early retirement on medical grounds. Outside of work, he loves his jazz music and performing in a local club - yes, that really is Dunbar singing.
Who is Adrian Dunbar? You can't mention Adrian Dunbar without mentioning his stand-out role in Line of Duty as Ted Hastings. Dunbar has also starred in Blood, Broken and The Hollow Crown. Other credits include Ashes to Ashes, The Life and Adventures of Nick Nickleby and Silent Witness.
Speaking about what drew him to the role of Alex Ridley, Dunbar said: "He’s complicated in many ways, quite a distance away from anything I’ve played before, even though it’s me, it looks like me, and there’s obviously echoes of Ted Hastings, because he’s a cop.
"But there are so many interesting layers to his personality, so many things in his background, his history, especially with all the different places that he goes to and the different things he has to deal with. The complications of the guy, I think, was the main thing that attracted me to it."
Bronagh Waugh plays Detective Inspector Carol Farman
Who is Detective Inspector Carol Farman? Having received a promotion, Farman is determined to make her mark in the force. She's loyal, warm-hearted and intelligent, making her the perfect former colleague of Alex Ridley. She's married to wife Geri (Bhavna Limbachia), and the pair have a son, Jack (Tareq Al-Jeddal).
Farman reaches out to her former mentor for help in the complex case featured in episode 1, and the pair have to come to terms with a readjusted power dynamic.
Who is Bronagh Waugh? Waugh's credits include Our House, The Suspect, Viewpoint, Des, Unforgotten and Midsomer Murders.
Terence Maynard plays DCI Paul Goodwin
Who is DCI Paul Goodwin? Very much a modern policeman, Goodwin is quiet, but ambitious. He can steady any ship he's asked to lead. He has a complex relationship with Ridley who saw right through his charming persona.
When Ridley is brought back into the force as a consultant, the pair are forced to bury any ill feelings they had for each other and work together for the good of the case.
Who is Terence Maynard? Maynard's CV includes Sherwood, The Witcher, Coronation Street and Spy.
George Bukhari plays DC Darren Lakhan
Who is DC Darren Lakhan? DC Lakhan had two years in the army before joining the police force. He was a troubled teenager but found discipline within the force. He's determined and ambitious, so he'll always go the extra mile for a case.
Who is George Bukhari? Bukhari starred as Sammy Farr on Coronation Street, playing the character on and off for a couple of years. He also appeared in Russell T Davies's Years and Years, where he played Jonjo Aleef, but it's Ordinary Lies he's perhaps best known for, where he played Jason.
Georgie Glen plays Dr Wendy Newstone
Who is Dr Wendy Newstone? Newstone is the dependable chief forensics officer and police pathologist in Ridley. She has a first-class brain and a morbid fascination with her job, meaning she's one of the best crime scene investigators in the country.
Who is Georgie Glen? Scottish actress, Glen, most notably played Miss Millicent Higgins in Call the Midwife, but she's probably best-known for playing Audrey McFall in Waterloo Road. The accomplished actress has also starred in Silent Witness, The Crown and The Larkins.
Julie Graham plays Annie Marling
Who is Annie Marling? Marling is a great friend and support to Ridley, and is really the only person he opens up to as she was best friends with his wife, Kate, and godmother to his daughter, Ella. She is the owner of Marling's jazz club where Ridley often slips in for a drink and a tinkle on the piano.
Who is Julie Graham? Graham starred as Ravio in Doctor Who, and she also played Ruby White in The Sarah Jane Adventures. She's also been in Shetland, Benidorm, Time and The Bletchley Circle.
Aidan McArdle plays Michael Flannery
Who is Michael Flannery? Criminal Flannery is serving a 15-year sentence for the death of Kate and Ella Ridley. He used his forgettable face and persona to sneak around Allerton Bridge, and was largely unnoticed in life until the night of the fire.
Who is Aidan McArdle? McArdle's credits include Showtrial, The Holiday, The Trial of Christine Keeler, Clean Break, Mr Selfridge and The Fall.
Bhavna Limbachia plays Geri Farman-Hoyle
Who is Geri Farman-Hoyle? Unlike her wife, Geri is laid-back and warm, but she's certainly not a pushover, and fights for what's right.
Who is Bhavna Limbachia? Limbachia is best known for her role as Rana Habeeb in Coronation Street, where she was part of fan-favourite ship Kana. Before she joined in 2016, she played Alia Khan in comedy Citizen Khan. She's also appeared in Brassic.
Tareq Al-Jeddal plays Jack Farman-Hoyle
Who is Jack Farman Hoyle? Jack is Geri and Carol's son. He might be a typical teenager, but he has a special bond with Ridley.
Who is Tareq Al-Jeddal? He has appeared in Coronation Street and Maternal.
Suzanne Packer plays Dr Samantha Larsson
Who is Dr Samantha Larsson? Ridley's therapist.
Who is Suzanne Packer? She's best known for Casualty and Brookside. She also appeared in Keeping Faith and The Bay.
John Michie plays Harry Bentham
Who is Harry Bentham? He is described as "a likeable and debonair self-made member of the jewellery trade who Ridley vies with for Annie’s attention".
Who is John Michie? You've probably watched him in Coronation Street, Holby City and Taggart, among others.
Ridley season 2 guest stars include:
- Maggie Steed plays Celia Machin
- John Henshaw plays Frank Stanford
- Christine Bottomley plays Katharine Penrose
- Chloe Harris plays Tasha Walker
- Kaya Moore plays Callum Douglas
- Kerim Hassan plays Liam Manley
- Krissi Bohn plays Rebecca Bayling
- Emily Stott as Tara Dunning
- Alexander Cobb plays Matt Brandon
- Lauren McQueen plays Ava Tunstall
- Joshua J Parker plays Jordan King
- Danyal Ismail plays Lewis Grant
- Ash Tandon plays Dr Vikram Assi
- Sudha Bhuchar plays Sarita Grant
- Elizabeth Berrington plays Jean Dixon
Ridley season 1 guest stars include:
- Jennifer Hennessy plays Moll Halpin
- Alexandra Hannant plays Catherine Halpin
- Rob Mitchell-James plays Jesse Halpin
- Amanda Lawrence plays Lorna Spalden
- Pauline Turner plays Esther Parry
- Conor Lowson plays Steve Parry
- Graeme Hawley plays Daniel Preston
- Erin Shanagher plays Penny Lindsey
- Caroline Lee-Johnson plays Gill Moreland
- Reece Douglas plays Adam Moreland
- Elizabeth Berrington plays Jean Dixon
Ridley returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday 10th August 2025.
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Authors
Helen Daly is the Deputy Digital Editor for Radio Times, overseeing new initiatives and commercial projects for the brand. She was previously Deputy TV Editor at a national publication. She has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Media & Journalism from Newcastle University.
Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.
