“A Sleeping Tiger,” the Series 2 premiere of Ridley, builds its case around a violent jewellery heist that turns into a murder investigation. The setup is familiar crime-drama territory, but it gains a second thread from retired detective Alex Ridley’s work with an undercover source whose cover may be blown—and from his continuing partnership with DI Carol Farman.
What happens in “A Sleeping Tiger”?
ITVX’s episode description sets out the central stakes: a jewellery heist becomes a murder investigation while Ridley works with an undercover source at risk of exposure. ITV’s Series 2 press pack adds that the thieves escape with the loot and that, after an interested party is killed in broad daylight, Ridley and Carol race to identify the criminal mastermind behind the operation.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Ridley Season 2 DVD | $28.13 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Ridley: Series 2 DVD | Region 4 (Australia) | $33.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
|
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Plus Bonus Features) | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Blade Runner: The Final Cut | Buy on Amazon |
That combination makes the premiere a recognisable procedural premise: a major theft, a killing that raises the stakes, and an investigation reaching toward whoever organised the crime. The undercover-source thread gives the case an additional point of tension, because the investigation’s progress could endanger someone working from inside it. These are the elements established in the official synopsis; they do not, by themselves, tell us how the episode handles its clues, pacing, or resolution.
How does the returning detective partnership shape the premise?
Adrian Dunbar returns as Alex Ridley, a retired detective now working as a police consultant. Bronagh Waugh is back as DI Carol Farman, his former protégé, who now leads investigations. That shift in roles gives the familiar case framework a built-in relationship to work with: Ridley brings his experience to an inquiry led by Carol, rather than simply returning as the officer in charge.
#1 Best Overall
The available episode material establishes that they work together on the case, but does not support a scene-by-scene judgment of their performances or the chemistry between them. Viewers looking for the appeal of the premiere can therefore distinguish the documented hook—the former detective and his protégé tackling a dangerous investigation—from questions about how compellingly the episode dramatises that dynamic.
What does the premiere add to the season’s cast and character threads?
John Michie joins the returning ensemble as Harry Bentham, a businessman in the jewellery trade who competes with Ridley for Annie’s attention. That personal strand sits alongside the crime plot and connects the new character directly to Ridley’s life beyond the investigation.
Rank #2
- Bronagh Waugh
The wider returning cast includes Terence Maynard as DCI Paul Goodwin, George Bukhari as DC Darren Lakhan, Georgie Glen as Dr Wendy Newstone, Bhavna Limbachia as Geri, and Julie Graham as Annie. The official season material identifies Paul Matthew Thompson as creator and writer, and Jonathan Fisher as co-creator; it also names Julia Gilbert and Michael Bhim among the season’s writers, without securely assigning every episode-specific credit.
Is it a “typical mystery”?
On premise, yes: theft escalates to murder, investigators pursue a criminal organiser, and an endangered source complicates the inquiry. The more distinctive potential lies in the returning Ridley–Carol partnership and the interplay between the case and Ridley’s personal world. The synopsis gives a solid map of those ingredients, not enough evidence to declare whether the episode makes them surprising, sharply paced, or satisfying on screen.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
That makes “typical” a fair description of the setup, rather than a verdict on the episode’s execution. A 90-minute premiere has room to develop both the investigation and its returning characters, but runtime alone cannot establish how effectively it uses that space. ITVX lists “A Sleeping Tiger” as Series 2, Episode 1, with a runtime of 1 hour 30 minutes. Rotten Tomatoes lists September 15, 2024 as the air date; that is a secondary listing, not a broadcast date confirmed by ITV.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where does Series 2 fit?
ITV describes Series 2 as a four-part season filmed across northern England. It was produced by West Road Pictures for ITV in association with All3Media International. The premiere opens that run with a case whose theft-to-murder escalation is designed to bring Ridley and Carol back into the same investigation.
For the official episode listing, see ITVX’s “A Sleeping Tiger” page. ITV’s Series 2 press pack provides season and cast details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
