Ridley (TV Series) Episodes – Seasons 1-2 Complete Guide
Ridley is a British crime drama that premiered on ITV in August 2022, starring Adrian Dunbar as retired Detective Inspector Alex Ridley. The series follows Ridley as he assists his former protégé, DI Carol Farman, in solving complex criminal cases. As of late 2024, the show has aired two seasons with a combined total of twelve episodes, establishing itself as a consistent Sunday evening fixture on British television.
The series has garnered a loyal viewership, with its second season premiere attracting 3.94 million viewers in the United Kingdom. Ridley distinguishes itself from typical procedural dramas by focusing on investigative consultation rather than active case management, providing a unique perspective on criminal investigation within the British television landscape.
Ridley TV Series Episodes Overview
Across its two seasons, Ridley has maintained a structured approach to storytelling, with each season consisting of four main episodes that are often split into two-part formats for international streaming platforms. The following overview provides essential information about the series structure.
- Season format evolution: Season 2 introduced 90-minute episodes split into two parts, diverging from Season 1’s structure.
- Air time consistency: Both seasons aired on Sunday evenings at 8 PM on ITV.
- Streaming availability: US audiences can access episodes through PBS, Apple TV, and YouTube TV.
- Series status: Listed as “current” but on hiatus following the Season 2 finale in November 2024.
- Multi-part episodes: Several episodes are formatted as two-part stories, particularly in Season 2.
- Viewership performance: Season 2 premiere drew 3.94 million UK viewers, demonstrating strong audience retention.
| Season | Episodes | Air Dates | Episode Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | 4 | Aug–Sep 2022 | The Peaceful Garden, Hospitality, Swansong, The Numbered Days |
| S2 | 8 | Sep–Nov 2024 | A Sleeping Tiger (Parts 1–2), The Hollow Tree (Parts 1–2), Fool for Love (Part 1), The Memory Jar (Parts 1–2) |
Ridley Season 1 Episodes
The inaugural season of Ridley launched on Sunday, August 28, 2022, with four episodes broadcast weekly at 8 PM. Each episode ran approximately 47 to 120 minutes, with episode lengths varying based on narrative requirements and ITV scheduling.
The Peaceful Garden (Episode 1)
The series opened with a complex case involving a sheep farmer’s murder that became intertwined with a child’s disappearance and the investigation of a registered sex offender. Directed by Bryn Higgins and written by Jonathan Fisher alongside Paul Matthew Thompson, this episode established the format of involving Ridley as a consultant on challenging cases led by his former protégé, DI Carol Farman.
Hospitality (Episode 2)
The second installment continued developing the procedural framework while introducing viewers to the collaborative dynamic between Ridley and the active investigation team. This episode aired on September 4, 2022, maintaining the Sunday evening slot that would become characteristic of the series.
Swansong (Episode 3)
Broadcast on September 11, 2022, this episode featured a storyline connected to the search for missing character Luke Marbury. Some streaming platforms listed this as a two-part episode, reflecting the expanded narrative scope that would become more prevalent in Season 2.
The Numbered Days (Episode 4)
The Season 1 finale aired on September 18, 2022, presenting a case involving a suspicious death following a fall. Like other Season 1 episodes, this installment received TVmaze ratings ranging from 6.8 to 7.4, indicating consistent audience engagement throughout the inaugural run.
Season 1 episodes were broadcast as single installments on ITV but appeared as multi-part episodes on certain streaming platforms, including Apple TV and PBS in the United States. This formatting variation affects how international viewers experience the episode structure.
Ridley Season 2 Episodes
Season 2 premiered on September 15, 2024, marking a notable shift in episode structure. The season adopted 90-minute episode formats that were frequently split into two parts, particularly in international streaming versions. This change resulted in more episodes being listed across different platforms while maintaining the core four-episode season structure. Audience reception remained strong throughout, with TVmaze tracking viewer ratings between 7.4 and 7.6 across the season’s episodes.
A Sleeping Tiger (Episodes 1–2)
The season opener introduced a jewellery heist that escalated into a murder investigation. With an undercover source at risk, Ridley and the team investigated the jewellery manager for potential involvement. Directed by Noreen Kershaw and written by Paul Matthew Thompson, the premiere drew 3.94 million viewers, establishing strong Season 2 engagement. The two-part format saw Episode 1 air on September 15, 2024, with the second part following on September 23, 2024.
The Hollow Tree (Episodes 3–4)
This storyline centred on the discovery of a decomposed body in Hawsley Wood. Directed by Isher Sahota and written by Julia Gilbert, the episodes aired across late September and early October 2024. The second half of this story, Episode 4, aired on October 6, 2024, maintaining the two-part narrative structure.
Fool for Love (Episode 5)
Broadcast on October 20, 2024, this episode introduced a case involving a man shot at a rave. Directed by Paul Gay and written by Michael Bhim, this installment continued the season’s pattern of diverse case scenarios.
The Memory Jar (Episodes 7–8)
The season concluded with a two-part storyline investigating the fate of Tara Dunning. Episode 7 aired on October 27, 2024, with the finale following on November 3, 2024. This concluding arc represented the season’s most emotionally charged storyline, with Ridley intensifying his investigation into the central mystery.
Minor date discrepancies exist across sources for Season 2 episodes. For UK broadcast dates, ITV airings have been prioritized in this guide. International viewers should note that streaming platforms may list episodes under different part numbers and dates.
Ridley Season 3 Status
As of the last available information from August 2025, no third season of Ridley has been officially confirmed by ITV or the production team. The series remains listed in a “current” status on episode guides, yet has been on hiatus since the Season 2 finale aired in November 2024.
Some episode guides project potential Season 3 airing dates around March 2026, though these projections remain unverified by official sources. Viewers interested in future installments should monitor ITV announcements for any official confirmation regarding the series continuation.
No official announcement regarding Season 3 production or air dates has been made by ITV as of the last update. Projected dates on third-party episode guides should not be considered reliable indicators of future broadcasts.
Ridley Episode Timeline
The following timeline presents the confirmed broadcast dates for all Ridley episodes across both seasons, compiled from official ITV information and verified episode guides. The epguides.com database provides comprehensive scheduling data that supplements the primary broadcast information.
- August 28, 2022: Season 1, Episode 1 — “The Peaceful Garden” — ITV broadcast premiere
- September 4, 2022: Season 1, Episode 2 — “Hospitality”
- September 11, 2022: Season 1, Episode 3 — “Swansong”
- September 18, 2022: Season 1, Episode 4 — “The Numbered Days” — Season 1 finale
- September 15, 2024: Season 2, Episode 1 — “A Sleeping Tiger (Part 1)”
- September 22–29, 2024: Season 2, Episode 2 — “A Sleeping Tiger (Part 2)” / “The Hollow Tree (Part 1)”
- October 6–20, 2024: Season 2, Episodes 3–4 — “The Hollow Tree (Part 2)” / “Fool for Love”
- October 27, 2024: Season 2, Episode 7 — “The Memory Jar (Part 1)”
- November 3, 2024: Season 2, Episode 8 — “The Memory Jar (Part 2)” — Season 2 finale
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear
When seeking information about Ridley, viewers encounter varying levels of certainty across different aspects of the series. The following comparison outlines confirmed details alongside areas where information remains limited or unverified.
| Established Information | Uncertain Information |
|---|---|
| Two seasons completed (2022, 2024) | Season 3 production status |
| Four episodes per season on ITV | Specific Season 3 air dates |
| Adrian Dunbar as lead character | Full episode list for Season 2 middle episodes |
| ITV broadcast on Sunday evenings | Future episode directors and writers |
| Available on PBS, Apple TV, YouTube TV | Official streaming schedule for new episodes |
| Series status listed as “current” | Renewal or cancellation confirmation |
Understanding Ridley: Background and Context
Ridley operates within the British procedural drama tradition, distinguishing itself through its consultation-based premise rather than the conventional active-detective format. The series positions Adrian Dunbar’s character as a retired investigator who contributes expertise to complex cases led by his former protégé, DI Carol Farman, played by Bronagh Waugh.
The creative team behind Ridley includes Paul Matthew Thompson as a primary writer across multiple episodes, contributing to the show’s consistent tonal approach. The series is produced for ITV, Britain’s commercial television network, and has secured international distribution through partnerships with American public broadcasting and streaming platforms.
For viewers exploring similar British crime dramas, the series shares thematic elements with other ITV productions. Related coverage on this platform examines shows including Shardlake (TV Series) – Cast, Episodes and Cancellation Guide and Shardlake (TV Series) – Plot, Cast, Episodes and Reviews, which offer additional perspectives on the British crime drama landscape.
Sources and Verification
This episode guide draws from multiple authoritative sources to ensure accuracy. Wikipedia maintains a comprehensive article on Ridley (TV series) that documents the series development and episode details. Episode guide specialist epguides.com provides structured data including air dates and episode titles, while TVmaze offers audience ratings and viewer engagement metrics.
The series adopted a format where 90-minute episodes are split into two parts, particularly on international streaming platforms. This structural change reflects the evolving approach to episode storytelling in Season 2.
— Verified against multiple episode guide sources
ITV, as the official broadcaster, provides primary information regarding UK air dates and scheduling. International viewers should consult their regional streaming providers for platform-specific episode listings and availability.
Summary
Ridley has established itself as a reliable ITV crime drama across two seasons, with twelve episodes broadcast between August 2022 and November 2024. The series features Adrian Dunbar in the titular consulting detective role, supported by a cast including Bronagh Waugh as DI Farman. Episode formatting evolved in Season 2, introducing the two-part 90-minute structure that has become standard for the show. Season 3 remains unconfirmed, with viewers advised to monitor official ITV announcements for updates on future installments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of Ridley are there?
Ridley has aired twelve episodes across two seasons, with four episodes per season on ITV. International streaming platforms may list additional part-numbers due to the two-part episode format introduced in Season 2.
Where can I watch Ridley legally?
In the United Kingdom, Ridley airs on ITV and is available through the ITV website and app. American viewers can access the series through PBS, Apple TV, and YouTube TV. Other regions should check local streaming providers for availability.
Has Ridley been renewed for Season 3?
No official Season 3 renewal has been announced as of the last update. The series remains listed as “current” on episode guides but is on hiatus following the November 2024 Season 2 finale.
What is the episode order for Ridley?
The chronological order begins with Season 1’s four episodes: The Peaceful Garden, Hospitality, Swansong, and The Numbered Days (August–September 2022). Season 2 continues with A Sleeping Tiger, The Hollow Tree, Fool for Love, and The Memory Jar (September–November 2024).
Are Ridley episodes available for free?
ITV provides free access to its broadcast content through its official website and application in the United Kingdom. International platforms may require subscription payments. No legal free streaming options exist for viewers outside the UK through official channels.
Who plays the lead character in Ridley?
Adrian Dunbar stars as retired DI Alex Ridley, the central character who consults on complex cases led by his former protégé, DI Carol Farman, portrayed by Bronagh Waugh.
How long is each Ridley episode?
Season 1 episodes varied in length from approximately 47 to 120 minutes. Season 2 adopted 90-minute formats that are split into two parts, particularly in international streaming versions.
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