TV Series Review: ‘Ridley’: A Detective Who Can Sing

MA15+ | 8 episodes| drama, police procedural | Aug. 28, 2022

Alex Ridley is a jazz-loving detective, sort of like Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch, but he has also been known to belt out a few songs himself. Like Bosch, Ridley’s love of jazz signifies his intelligence and shrewd grasp of human nature.

Episodes often end with Ridley crooning supper club-style arrangements of British singer-songwriter Richard Hawley’s tunes, backed by a piano trio, but the singing detective still has the blues.

The former detective-inspector was forced into a medical retirement after the murder of his wife and daughter, but he returns as a consultant in creator Paul Matthew Thompson’s eight-episode series, “Ridley.”

Ridley (Adrian Dunbar) works on cases, in "Ridley." (PBS)

Despite the conviction of the perpetrator, the murder-by-arson of his family still justifiably haunts Ridley (Adrian Dunbar). He even sometimes visits their killer, Michael Flannery (Aidan McArdle), Ridley’s former underworld informant, who lashed out when Ridley was unable to convince his boss to place him under formal witness protection.

A New Case

However, Ridley will have an opportunity to address some earlier unfinished business from the past when his former protégé, Detective Inspector Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh), reaches out for help regarding a new murder, at the start of the series’ first two-part story arc, “The Peaceful Garden.”

It turns out Ridley’s prime suspect in an old child abduction case was fatally shot. Back then, someone else was convicted, but the missing girl was never recovered. At the time, Ridley was openly skeptical of the handling of the original investigation. His criticisms will be vindicated by the secrets he and Farman unearth.

After agreeing to a semi-official consultancy gig at his old department, Ridley also finally returns to Marling’s, the jazz club he co-owns (on a cop’s salary) with Annie Marling (Julie Graham). With a little coaxing he takes to the stage to close the episode with a soulful rendition of Hawley’s “Coles Corner.” Dunbar also warbled a little in the film “Hear My Song” back in 1993, but he has clearly refined his vocal chops since then.

Ridley (Adrian Dunbar) and DI Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh) work on cases together, in "Ridley." (PBS)

The second investigation, “Hospitality” arguably involves the least personal baggage for Ridley. Of course, it rather disappoints him to learn that one of his club’s regular patrons, hotel manager James Mallors (Stephen Boxer), has been exploiting his housekeeping staff, including the latest murder victim, but he will have more likely suspects to contend with. He also must endure Kit McKellen (Zak Douglas) an obsessive true-crime netizen.

‘Swansong’

Probably the best two-parter, certainly for jazz fans, would be “Swansong,” in which Ridley agrees to search for the long-missing brother of American-based jazz vocalist Eve Marbury (Joanna Riding, a veteran of London’s West End musical theater), while she is in town for the funeral of a respected impresario. Of course, she sits in at Marling’s performing a lovely rendition of Irving Berlin’s “What’ll I Do.”

Not surprisingly, Ridley’s off-the-books work for Marbury dovetails with his consulting gig for Farman, when an old friend of Marbury’s brother turns up dead, after the announcement of the newly deceased’s surprise inheritance from the late impresario’s estate.

Given Ridley’s understandable preoccupation with Flannery, it makes sense he plays a major role in the concluding storyline, “The Numbered Days.” Things get personal for Ridley when Flannery’s little brother Callahan becomes a person-of-interest in the investigation into the murder of the younger sibling’s social-worker.

(L–R) Terence Maynard, Adrian Dunbar, Bronagh Waugh, and George Bukhari star in "Ridley." (PBS)

Not surprisingly, Ridley somewhat loses his perspective on this case, which has a similarly tragic tone as some of the best British crime dramas from the last 20 years, such as the original first season of “Broadchurch” and “Blood” (also starring Dunbar).

Great Role for Dunbar

In fact, Dunbar is the best thing going for “Ridley,” and not just because of his singing voice. He viscerally portrays Ridley’s pain and anger, while still maintaining the ex-cop’s rumpled dignity. Riding is a terrific guest star, both from a musical and dramatic perspective. Series regular Georgie Glen inspires boundless confidence as the crisply competent medical examiner, Dr. Wendy Newstone. That is less true for Waugh as DI Farman, but at least her somewhat woke-ish subplot gets only superficial treatment.

Fortunately, McArdle makes a worthy foil for Ridley as the squirrely and erratic Michael Flannery, whose character becomes increasingly more complex as the series progresses. Plus, credit must be given to the Marling’s “house band,” (Steve Holness on piano, Sophie Alloway on drums, Rory Dempsey on bass, and sometimes Graeme Blevins on saxophone), who sound cool providing lightly swinging support to Dunbar and Riding.

As usual, the jazz amplifies the noir vibe, while the misty Lancashire environment reflects Ridley’s depressed state of mind. The quality of the constituent mysteries varies considerably, but Dunbar’s performance as the lead character is highly compelling.

Recommended for fans of British TV detectives and “crime jazz” ambiance.

Ridley (Adrian Dunbar) is haunted by the death of his family, in "Ridley." (PBS)

The U.S. release of “Ridley” premieres June 18 on PBS.

‘Ridley’ Directors: Paul Gay, Bryn Higgins, Noreen Kershaw Starring: Adrian Dunbar, Bronagh Waugh, Terence Maynard, George Bukhari MPAA Rating: MA15+ Running Time: 8 episodes Release Date: Aug. 28, 2022 Rated: 3.5 stars out of 5