Popular crime drama Ridley - starring Adrian Dunbar - has been axed despite strong viewing figures. The ITV series features Dunbar in the leading role as a retired Detective Inspector turned police consultant and regular jazz club performer, and has attracted audiences since 2022. Bronagh Waugh and Georgie Glen have also appeared regularly throughout both seasons. However, there will be no further episodes, as ITV has confirmed they're not filming more episodes, which are shot across Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales.

An ITV spokesman said: "There are currently no plans to return to Ridley. We'd like to extend our thanks to creator and writer Paul Matthew Thompson, executive producer Jonathan Fisher and the team at West Road Pictures for producing two successful series." It marks another setback for the 67-year-old Dunbar, following years of uncertainty surrounding the future of Line of Duty. The actor, born in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, had suggested he was hopeful Ridley would continue, reports the Mirror.

Speaking in an interview last August, Dunbar said: "The programme did very good numbers when it was shown in America and I know that PBS [the US's Public Broadcasting Service], who part-financed Ridley, would like us to film another series.

"There's definitely more to be said about Alex Ridley, his troubled life and the team of detectives with whom he works, and I would love to film more."

Fans on IMDb had branded the show "a brilliant cop show", praising Dunbar for his work, while others called it "excellent", while a third said: "Great production team, strong photography and direction!"

Dunbar is still set to be busy though, as the rumours surrounding Line of Duty's comeback were finally put to rest late last year when it was announced the acclaimed police drama would be returning for a seventh series. In November last year, a source revealed: "Although this has been discussed at length since the unsatisfactory ending of series six in 2021, it's still going to create huge excitement when the Beeb makes the announcement.

"It's one they've been preparing to make for weeks, but they've been trying to pick the right moment, since The Celebrity Traitors has been hogging quite a lot of limelight recently."

They continued: "And the BBC very much view Line Of Duty as one of the jewels in its crown that they want to deliver with some fanfare."

Martin Compston portrayed DS Steve Arnott in the programme, which concluded when his character and his team uncovered the identity of "H". He also revealed last year whether audiences can anticipate more from the series.