Bolton: ITV drama Ridley season two set to be filmed in town

ITV said back in June that detective drama Ridley would be returning with a new series will be coming to screens, and as part of the filming crews will return to Bolton town centre.

Having previously filmed parts of the first series in Le Mans Crescent and outside the former Bolton Magistrates Court, crews will now be heading back to Bolton to film at the back of Cheapside and Mawdsley Street.

Crews are expected to be in Bolton for a day on Tuesday, September 26 with road closures in place from 8am to 6pm to allow location filming on the highway.

All vehicles not involved in the event will be prohibited from proceeding on Back Cheapside from Cheapside Square to its terminal end and on Mawdsley Street for its entire length.

• ALSO READ: Film crews back in Bolton Town Centre for new ITV drama starring Line of Duty actor

Also in June it was confirmed that Adrian Dunbar, 64, who starred in Line of Duty as Superintendent Ted Hastings, was set to return to the detective drama and will revisit his role as retired detective-turned-police consultant Alex Ridley.

And The Fall’s Bronagh Waugh will reprise the character of his former protegee, DI Carol Farman, who is now in charge of investigations.

The series is written and created by Paul Matthew Thompson, one of the lead writers of ITV detective drama Vera, and co-created by Jonathan Fisher, whose previous projects include Blood, Hollington Drive and Penance.

Speaking about the second series, Dunbar said: “There can be no greater endorsement of hard work and talent than the recommission of a series and to that end, we have to thank ITV and the British public for taking to Ridley in such numbers.

Previous filming for Ridley has taken place in Bolton (Image: NQ)“We shall certainly work just as hard to keep the standard we have set, and I look forward to developing Ridley as a character over the next four episodes.”

• ALSO READ: Filming for Ridley takes place in Bolton town centre

The first series of Ridley introduced viewers to the charismatic former DI, who retired from the police after years of dedicated service having lost his wife and daughter in a devastating arson attack on their family home.

In the next instalment, Ridley returns to solve more crimes in four two-hour films written by Thompson with Julia Gilbert and Michael Bhim each writing an episode.

Fisher and Thompson will also both act as executive producers alongside Ingrid Goodwin while Juliet Charlesworth returns to produce series two.

Thompson said: “Thrilled to be working with Jonathan Fisher and West Road Pictures again to bring Ridley back to our screens.

“Adrian Dunbar’s brilliant portrayal struck a chord with ITV viewers, and I can’t wait to share what happens next, as the singing detective settles into his new role of Copelton Police Consultant.

“Ridley’s unique and idiosyncratic approach to crime-solving will once more be at the forefront of each feature-length investigation.

“His animated partnership with DI Carol Farman will be tested, as together they set out to solve some dark and unsettling crimes.”

Previous filming for ITV's Ridley (Image: NQ)Drama commissioner Huw Kennair Jones will oversee production of the series on behalf of ITV.

Mr Jones added: “We can’t wait to welcome Adrian back to ITV as we return to the beautiful Lancashire countryside for four brand new cases for Ridley and the team to investigate.

“And we’re looking forward to working with West Road Pictures and Paul Matthew Thompson on what promises to be another great series.”

The new series will begin shooting across northern England in autumn 2023.

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