The singing detective, Ridley, is back with series 2 but is Adrian Dunbar really singing in his role as the deep and brooding former man of the law?

As the ITV drama showcases more crooning in jazz bar Marling’s in Ridley series 2, here’s all you need to know…

Is Adrian Dunbar really singing in Ridley?

He is! And it was Adrian’s idea to have this be a part of the character too!

One of the show’s co-creators Paul Thomas Anderson said at the launch of series 1: “It was down to Adrian – he’s a great singer, he loves music and he really seemed to work well in that jazz element.

“It’s almost as if the jazz music is a catharsis for Ridley – it’s the only time when the man can feel anything.

“You know the worst possible thing that can happen to a man is losing his family, then he [lost] the job he loved.

“He had nothing left. And I think the jazz really adds that bluesy element to everything.”

While Adrian Dunbar hasn’t sung in any of his other key TV or film jobs, he has said his career in theatre and singing in bands meant he wasn’t nervous: “No nervousness at all!

“I’ve done a lot – I started playing in bands, I’ve done quite a bit of singing on stage.

“Even in my forties, I put a band together and went on the road in Ireland playing in pubs and bars just because I like it.

Ridley’s detective ‘thing’

“I love that element of the character – it was always something I was interested in doing.

“I also think it fits the character, it doesn’t feel like an add-on, it’s integrated in.

“A lot of detectives of TV past have had their own odd thing that they are interested in so I thought Ridley should have this.

“So no, I had no problem singing, a lot of it was my idea and thankfully the guys ran with it.”

Is Adrian Dunbar really playing the piano in Ridley?

While it is Adrian’s real voice providing the great singing in Ridley, the piano playing in series 1 isn’t his.

He says: “I do tinkle a little bit on the piano, I get away with a few little bits but there are other bits that are recorded.

“I wouldn’t call myself a pianist by any means but I got away with a few chords!”

Adrian Dunbar singing: Could there be a Ridley album?

When asked back in series 1 in 2022 if Adrian could see himself recording an album outside of Ridley he said: “Yeah.. maybe.

“I’ve been talking to people about doing stuff with that but it’s just finding the time you know?”

His Ridley co-star Bronagh Waugh added: “I want him to do an album! I want a Ridley album. 

Adrian agreed: “Yeah Ridley at Christmas, something like that!”

Let’s make it happen for Christmas 2025!

Ridley series 2 airs on ITV from Sunday, August 10 at 8pm. All 4 episodes from series 1 and series 2 are available now on ITVX.