Crime drama fans really have something to sink their teeth into this week with the return of Adrian Dunbar's gripping detective series Ridley for season two.
It's been almost three years since Dunbar (Line of Duty) stepped into the traumatised shoes of grieving retired detective inspector Alex Ridley, but the show has lost nothing in the interim.
While Ridley may still be struggling with the murders of his wife and daughter, he seems to have a better handle on his pain, making him better equipped to tackle new cases as a consultant detective.
A good thing too, as there's plenty for Ridley to get stuck into this season as he resumes his partnership with former protégée DI Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh).
ITV had already teased a thrilling first episode centred around a violent jewellery heist, eventually leading to the death of a suspect in broad daylight. It was a lively way to kick off the season two debut, but Ridley's ability to lure viewers in doesn't end there.
If Ridley's three-year break off air has dulled your memory to its charm, allow us to remind you what it is that makes this show stand out among the plethora of crime dramas all vying for your attention.
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Twists baked into twists
One thing that Ridley always manages to nail is a twist, and season two is no exception.
The creators do a stunning job of subverting expectations, only to then take things one step further by introducing a new aspect of the story that makes things even twistier.
However, it never feels forced or overdone. Instead Ridley lays the ground work early on, so that all of the developing twists feel seamless, authentic and more like a maturation of the story.
The B-plot is just as intriguing as the main story
There are a lot of moving parts in a show like Ridley, so much so that it can be difficult to get the audience to care about each storyline with equal weight – especially with the carousel of guest stars that are introduced.
But we do care immensely about every storyline.
While Ridley and DI Farman's cases always remain the central focus, hooking you in, the storylines that envelope the supporting cast are equally as evocative. Old friends can resurface with problems that make the audience yearn for a resolution, meanwhile the main characters have situations away from work that hum in the background.
These additional elements slowly tug at the audience's attention, and it's brilliant. By the end of an episode, you're left with little doubt that you'll have been entertained.
Ridley's character development
The creators established early on in season one of Ridley that Ridley had lost his family in a fire, thoroughly exploring the ex-detective's grief and pain. Going into season two, Ridley evolves that element of that character in a way that doesn't feel like it's rehashing the same themes.
Instead the show continues to explore that hurt in a way that serves the story and the present cases, so that it always feels relevant. Ridley's way of moving the story forward introduces more nuanced sides to grief, especially through his unique friendship with his late wife's best friend Annie Marling (Julie Graham).
It's a gentle and quietly heartbreaking thread that makes for a touching watch, running parallel with the detective drama element.
Ridley is available to stream now on ITVX.
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
