ITV detective show Ridley hit our screens on Sunday (August 28) – but did you know that some scenes were filmed across East Lancashire?
A pub in Crawshawbooth even appeared in the first episode.
The show's leading actor, Adrian Dunbar, is best known for playing Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line of Duty.
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He now plays the titular detective Alex Ridley, who retired from the police force after years of dedicated service due to health concerns and grief over losing his wife and daughter.
Ridley’s replacement is DI Carol Farman, his former protégée, whom Ridley mentored for many years.
When he's enlisted by Carol as a police consultant on a complex and compelling murder case, the investigation takes a dark and unexpected twist.
Turning to her old mentor for support, Carol is keen to access Ridley’s unique insight into crime-solving which has served them so well in the past.
With more intriguing cases to solve, Ridley will be enticed out of retirement into his former role, reviving his formidable and successful partnership with Carol.
Inspired by real-life retired detectives re-joining police forces in a consultancy role given increasingly over-stretched resources, Ridley will explore thought-provoking crime stories in an original and distinctive way.
Adrian Dubar describes the acting project as a “big responsibility”.
He said: “When you come off the back of creating a really interesting character, in Ted Hastings, you don’t think you’re going to reach those heights ever again,” reflects Dunbar.
“Programmes like this, they really do rely on the heart at the middle of it all, and that’s usually provided by the central character. He’s a complicated character.
“You don’t immediately warm to him – I think it’s going to take a little bit of time for us to sort of understand where he’s coming from.”
Jonathan Fisher of West Road Pictures said: “We’re very proud to be bringing Ridley to the screen. A huge amount of work goes into originating a series of this nature, and we’ve been fortunate to work with an incredibly collaborative and dedicated team.
“It’s been a joy working closely with Adrian Dunbar on this project. Adrian has brought a real passion and authenticity to the eponymous role, alongside a talented and diverse ensemble of supporting characters. We all very much hope that Ridley will join the canon of well-loved TV detectives."
Where was Ridley filmed in East Lancashire?
According to ITV producers, filming took place across Rossendale.
Eagle-eyed viewers will be able to spot the locations in episode one and episode four of the series.
The first episode aired on Sunday and featured a farm located near Rawtenstall.
The farm is home to a grizzly murder and detectives are called to investigate the death of a farmer.
The Masons Arms, on Co-operation Street in Crawshawbooth, also featured in the same episode.
A spokesperson for the pub said: "We were thrilled to appear on the ITV detective series, Ridley!
"The series showed the site's quaintness and country pub feeling - our open log burner even made an appearance."
In episode four, which is yet to air, a Haslingden home features during the detectives' investigation into the death of a man who falls from a balcony.
ITV’s Ridley airs Sundays at 8pm.
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