Ridley season 2 return date finally confirmed by ITV – with an added treat for fans

But if you're an eager fan and keen to get stuck into the series sooner, all episodes will be available to stream on ITVX on 10th August before its scheduled ITV1 slot as an added treat.

The new season previously aired in the US last September, so it's safe to say that on this side of the pond, we've been waiting for a little while for new episodes.

Season 2 sees Dunbar's Ridley working as a police consultant alongside DI Carol Farman, who has now taken over.

Together, they will tackle a "new slate of mysteries, investigating crimes that will take them from the atmospheric British moors to the pulsating beats of an illegal rave", reads the official synopsis.

Ridley will be put through his paces as he faces "formidable challenges, working tirelessly to solve the most intricate and perplexing cases".

As well as Dunbar, the returning cast includes Bronagh Waugh as DI Carol Farman, Terence Maynard as DCI Paul Goodwin, George Bukhari as DC Darren Lakhan and Georgie Glen as Dr Wendy Newstone.

While plenty will be excited to see what Dunbar's character is up to in this second season of Ridley, there's often conversation surrounding Line of Duty wherever Dunbar is involved – and rightly so.

Read more:

• Line of Duty season 7 due to return in 2026 after "frustrating" H twist, reveals Adrian Dunbar
• Untamed future confirmed after Eric Bana series closed first season with dramatic finale

Just this week, the Ted Hastings star revealed that after years of rumours, the cogs are finally turning in the Line of Duty machine and that season 7 is in the works.

Speaking to The Times, he said: “We’re really excited about getting our hands on a Line of Duty script, to see what happens to us. Jed is writing. We’ve talked to the BBC.

“It is down to the BBC to make an announcement, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that next year we’ll be working on a new series. No doubt Jed will think of some interesting twists and turns.”

Dunbar did also admit that the anticipated finale “robbed us of a huge denouement", saying: "Jed’s point was that police corruption can hang on one cop deciding to ignore one piece of information that comes across his desk.”

While the BBC is yet to confirm anything Line of Duty-related, we can rest easy in the fact that Dunbar will be back helming a crime drama sooner rather than later, with Ridley set to return in just a matter of days.

Ridley season 2 premieres on Sunday 10th August at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Add Ridley to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.