If you’ve been searching for insights about where Ridley is filmed, who’s in the Ridley cast, and what to expect from Ridley season 2, you’re in the right place. This ITV crime thriller starring Adrian Dunbar has captivated fans with its atmospheric setting and solid performances.
Here’s everything you need to know about where Ridley is set and filmed, plus details on the new season’s cast and filming locations.
Where Is Ridley Set and Filmed?
Ridley is set in the fictional rural town of Framley, but the actual filming took place mainly in northern England, specifically across Lancashire. The producers purposefully chose rural Lancashire to capture the bleak and windswept look that complements the show’s tone of isolation and mystery. According to co-creator Jonathan Fisher, Lancashire was one of just a few regions seriously considered for the setting, chosen not only for its aesthetic but also its accessibility with a strong production base in nearby Manchester.
Rossendale in Lancashire provided many of the key rural backdrops, while other filming locations include the Pennine moors and the Yorkshire Dales, which contribute to the show’s genuine northern grit. Some scenes also included spots like the Todmorden Wind Farm (just over the border in Yorkshire) and canals in Todmorden.
For Ridley season 2, filming expanded to more locations around northern England but remained focused heavily on Lancashire and Greater Manchester’s outskirts. The second series filmed scenes in familiar places like Bolton’s impressive Le Mans Crescent (used for police station scenes) and Watergrove Reservoir near Rochdale, where Ridley’s home is depicted using the windsurfing clubhouse.
Ridley Cast Highlights
The Ridley cast centers around Adrian Dunbar, who plays the titular retired detective Alex Ridley. Dunbar’s commanding presence anchors the drama with a nuanced portrayal of a detective drawn back into high-stakes investigations.
The first series introduced viewers to Ridley’s colleagues and acquaintances including Bronagh Waugh, who plays Carol, Ridley’s protégé. Waugh notably embraced the local Lancashire accent to bring authenticity to her role, honing it in local pubs near the filming areas.
Other members of the cast of Ridley (TV series) include experienced actors portraying various police officers and civilians entwined in the case-driven narratives that Ridley specializes in. The ensemble is praised for its strong chemistry and fits well with the show’s gritty northern English atmosphere.
As for the Ridley season 2 cast, the original actors return, bringing their characters back for a new series of twists and investigations. New cast members have joined to deepen the intrigue. For example, DC Paul Good (played by Clarence May), DC Darren Lakhan (George), and pathologist Dr. Wendy Newstone (Andie Glen) all reprise their roles. The second series also brings in fresh faces to add complexity to the storyline.
Ridley Season 2: What’s New?
Ridley series 2 returned to ITV with four new episodes, airing from August 10 at 8 PM, and was made available on ITVX too. Fans of the first season can expect the same moody, intense storytelling with continued exploration of Ridley’s past and the dark cases that pull him back into police work. The renewed focus on the landscape’s isolation echoes through both plot and visuals, as seen in the carefully selected filming locations that maintain the show’s signature bleak and immersive atmosphere.
The Ridley TV series season 2 filming locations continue to spotlight real northern towns, with Bolton featuring prominently alongside rustic Lancashire settings. The police station scenes shot at Le Mans Crescent in Bolton stand out as an iconic backdrop this season, adding a touch of grandeur to the procedural drama. The scenes shot in barns in Belmont, and other small town aesthetics, provide an organic, authentic feel that fans have praised for enhancing the narrative’s realism.
ITV and Ridley
The show is an ITV production, adding to the network’s strong slate of original detective dramas. With the first season well received, ITV’s investment in Ridley underscores the network’s commitment to bringing high-quality regional storytelling to a national audience. The collaboration between creators like Matthew Thompson and Jonathan Fisher, both of whom have notable credits in British crime dramas such as Vera and Blood, ensures that Ridley stays true to its gritty, character-driven roots while keeping viewers hooked.
Summary of Ridley Location and Cast Insights
- Primary Filming Locations: Rural Lancashire (Rossendale area), Yorkshire Dales, Pennine moors, Manchester outskirts
- Key Season 2 Locations: Bolton (Le Mans Crescent), Watergrove Reservoir near Rochdale, Belmont barn
- Setting: Fictional Framley, rural Lancashire
- Main Cast: Adrian Dunbar (Alex Ridley), Bronagh Waugh (Carol), Clarence May (DC Paul Good), George (DC Darren Lakhan), Andie Glen (Dr. Wendy Newstone)
- Network: ITV
- Season 2 Air Date: August 10, 8 PM on ITV, also on ITVX
If you were wondering about where Ridley was filmed or who is in the cast of Ridley series 2, the answer is firmly rooted in northern England’s rugged rural and urban settings with a solid returning ensemble led by Adrian Dunbar.
The show’s location choices and casting serve the moody and atmospheric storytelling, making Ridley a standout detective drama continuing to attract new fans.