Adrian Dunbar is to play the lead role in new ITV drama, Ridley.

The actor, who plays Ted Hastings in Line of Duty, will play retiring Detective Inspector Alex Ridley.

Ridley is lured back into service as a consultant detective when his former protégée, Carol Farman, needs help cracking a complex murder case.

Each of the four planned episodes will be two hours long.

Speaking about his new role, Dunbar said: “I don’t think I’ve ever headed into a production with more excitement and enthusiasm. As an actor I know how rare it is to be given such a wonderful opportunity.”

The show will begin filming this autumn.