All we've been able to talk about lately is ITV's Ridley. But, can you blame us? Between the gripping storyline and Adrian Dunbar's singing, we've been kept on the edge of our seats thanks to season two. But, will there be a third season of Ridley to look forward to?
Sure, the second season might not have officially ended yet (although you *can* binge all four episodes on ITVX), but we like to be prepared when it comes to our TV. All in the name of five star entertainment journalism, of course. Clearly, we're not the only ones feeling this way, either. "Please let there be a series three," one fan wrote on X, as another celebrated its return, posting: "Good to have #Ridley back."
So, will Ridley return for a third season? Here's everything we know so far about a potential Ridley season three as well as which of the current Ridley cast might appear...
Will there be a Ridley season three?
ITV is yet to confirm if there will be a third instalment of Ridley, but the cast of the hit show have spoken out in hopes that there will be – which has to be a positive sign, right?
Speaking to Country & Town House, Bronagh Waugh (who plays DI Carol Farman on Ridley, and who is also currently appearing in Channel 4's In Flight), said: "There are plenty of [plot] ideas if we are lucky enough to get a third series."
Waugh went on to say that it would be "really interesting" for the show to continue delving into the private lives of its central detectives, as well as the cases. That being said, "let's see what happens," she added.
Who will return for Ridley season three?
Ridley wouldn't be Ridley without Alex Ridley himself, played by Adrian Dunbar, so if a third season is commissioned, we're sure this role would be reprised. However, scheduling conflicts could put a spanner in the works, as there's been talks lately of a Line of Duty season seven, which would surely take up a lot of Dunbar's time if it's given the green light from the BBC.
Given her comments about a potential third season, we'd also hope to see Bronagh Waugh return as Ridley's former protege, DI Carol Farman. As for the rest of the show's cast, if a third season follows the current format – that being, a new case solved every episode – then we can expect to see plenty of new characters joining the likes of Dunbar and Waugh, in addition to the recurring cast that includes Terence Maynard as DCI Paul Goodwin, George Bukhari as DC Darren Lakhan, and Georgie Glen as pathologist Dr Wendy Newstone.
When will Ridley season three air?
Season one of Ridley was released in the UK on 28 August 2022, while season two arrived on 10 August 2025. Following that timeline – and, if cast scheduling conflicts don't add further delays – a third season could be on our TV screens in August 2028, but considering there's been no official confirmation of a Ridley season three, this is all speculative!
In the meantime, both series of Ridley are available to stream on ITVX.
