Bronagh Waugh: ‘DI Carol Farman Is Salt Of The Earth, No Nonsense, Dry Witted & Knackered’

Returning to ITV1 on Sunday night, Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar is back as titular retired copper DI Alex Ridley, enlisted in the first series by his former protegee DI Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh) to help on a knotty murder case. In the second, we’re told to expect more challenges and more intricately perplexing cases. We sat down with Bronagh (who you might recognise from The Fall, Unforgotten and The Stolen Girl) to find out more about Ridley series 2.

Interview: Bronagh Waugh On Ridley

Hi Bronagh! You’re about to reprise your role as DI Carol Farman in series 2 of Ridley. First, can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

Retired detective Ridley who owns a jazz bar is called back as a consultant to help his young protege Carol solve a series of complex crimes amidst the stunning and haunting backdrop of the moors and rural Yorkshire and Lancashire. Pull up a cosy armchair, sit with a brew and enjoy perfect Sunday night drama!

What can we expect from series 2?

We come in with a bang on the first episode of the second series. It’s fast paced, exciting, edge-of-your-seat stuff involving a jewellery heist and a county lines gang with lots of twists and turns to keep you occupied as our armchair detectives. Each episode is unique and thrilling and we really get to see the journey Ridley, Carol and the gang have been on over the last year and how those dynamics evolve.

‘Each episode of Ridley series 2 is unique and thrilling.’ (Pictured: BRONAGH WAUGH as DI Carol Farman in Ridley series 2 episode 4 © ITV)

How would you describe Carol?

Feisty, fierce, empathetic, resilient. Determined to pursue justice for the vulnerable and voiceless. Salt of the earth, no nonsense, dry witted and knackered!

What was it like returning to the role?

It was an absolute joy and honour to don the rubber raincoat and boots once more! There’s something really lovely about being invited back to a second series as a cast and crew as we all know each other already and can build on the relationships and friendships that we forged in the first series. It feels like a lovely springboard to bounce back in and roll our sleeves up with four excellent new stories. There’s plenty in store for Carol and Ridley in this series, and I can’t wait for audiences to see where we take it.

Did you do anything special to prepare for the role? 

A lot of my preparation was done in creating Carol for the first series and collaborating with our brilliant show runner and creators Jonathan Fisher and Paul Matthew Thompson. We had so much fun figuring out who this protege of Ridley’s is and what makes her tick. What makes her different? How does she handle pressure, family, work and colleagues? 

So for series 2 I tried to really build on where we left off last time, and I feel she’s really found her feet. I read a lot of testimony from female DCIs and I watch a lot of 24 Hours In Police Custody and The Detectives. Real people’s reactions are really helpful for me in finding the truth in a character.

And how do you get into character?

For me, I find them first with the shoes. That’s the key for me. If I know how I walk, stand and move, then everything comes from there. I begin every day using my Manc accent as soon as I step foot in the car; otherwise it would be too hard for me to switch back and forth when I see Adrian as we’re both from the North of Ireland. It would throw me, so I don’t stay in character but I do stay in accent.

Ridley has a great cast, including Adrian Dunbar. What is the dynamic like on set?

We’ve all got to know each other really well over the last two series. It’s predominantly the same crew and the same returning core cast so we have a lot of fun, a lot of laughs and it’s very collaborative between everyone. One of the things I try to do for all the guest actors is make them feel really welcome and comfortable. It can be intimidating coming into a team as the ‘newbie’, so we want to make sure everyone feels looked after and has a great time. It’s such a treat to watch and work with these incredible actors who come in and do such fantastic, intense work for their episode.

Any standout moments from filming? 

There was a day that was so unbelievably cold when Adrian and I were having to stand in a valley that was a bit of a wind tunnel with biting, icy air. It was so cold we could hardly move our mouths to speak! Adrian and I kept jumping back in my car to get the heaters on and defrost in between takes. 

At Christmas time the cast and crew went to our local jazz bar in Manchester, Bert’s Bar, to be treated to a special performance by Adrian, so that was a lot of craic!

Anything you’re particularly excited for viewers to see?

I’m just so excited for the second series to finally be out and to see what everyone thinks. We worked really hard on building what we grew from the first series, and it’s got so much pace and great stories, so every episode is unique in itself.

And anything you can tease about a possible third series?

Oh, there are plenty of ideas if we are lucky enough to get a third series! I think it would be really interesting to keep delving into the detectives’ private lives as well as the cases, so let’s see what happens…

‘It has been such an honour and pleasure to get to play with Adrian Dunbar every day.’ (Pictured: ADRIAN DUNBAR as Ridley and BRONAGH WAUGH as DI Carol Farman in Ridley series 2 episode 3 © ITV)

What has been your favourite project to date?

That’s a tricky one, but the American independent film I did, Steel Country, was a very special project. I really enjoyed immersing myself in the characters’ world and living out there for the time. Andrew Scott’s performance is stellar, and it was such a pleasure working with him and the director on building that world.

Any roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!)

I’ve got a few projects coming out this year. A Netflix period drama with Matthew McFadyen, and a Channel 4 drama with Katherine Kelly that will be released soon. I got to work with Chris Baugh who directed Tin Star (one of my favourite shows), so that was a real highlight.

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

I loved working with Gillian Anderson on The Fall and learned so much from her. I think my favourite actor ever to work with so far has been Andrew Scott on Steel Country. He’s just a phenomenal talent and the kindest, most generous actor. A real team player and leads a project in a way I find admirable and inspiring. He keeps the work fresh and alive and has a curiosity and playfulness that was so refreshing to work with. 

I also loved working with Nicola Walker on Unforgotten. I learned so much from her and found the way she led that show with humility, generosity and collaboration a real inspiration. I have tried to take what I’ve learned from her and use that in Ridley. 

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

We’re very lucky in Ridley to have so many living legends on the show. I have learned so much from Terence Maynard who plays Goodwin, and Georgie Glen who plays Wendy. I love how they both work and the wisdom, professionalism and kindness they bring to the team.

And of course Adrian! He’s a legend and someone I grew up watching back home, so it has been such an honour and pleasure to get to play with him every day. Every single day I learn something from him; he’s very playful and kind.

What’s your dream role?

Every role I get given! I feel very lucky and blessed to still be working and get the chance to keep telling stories. I’d love to tell more Irish stories – there are so many. The Pirate Queen, Gráinne O’Malley who was a 16th century Irish chieftain and pirate, she’s pretty fierce!

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

I’d love to do some more comedy. Everything feels very heavy in the world at the moment and I try to find pockets of joy wherever I can. Laughter is a great medicine.

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with?

Haha, how long have you got?! Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters, Michaela Coel, Charlie Brooker, Lena Dunham, Steve McQueen, Russell T Davies, Olivia Colman, Lisa McGee, Joe Barton, Jack Thorne… The list goes on!

If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be? 

It’s gonna be alright kid, try not to worry.

How can we all live a little bit better?

Speak truth to power. Find your community. Look for kindness and spread it. It costs nothing, and makes you and everyone else feel a little bit better. The world is a heavy place and it’s easy to feel hopeless, but hope begins in small actions within your community.

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?

There’s lots coming out this year. I have a Netflix period drama coming out called Death By Lightning and a Channel 4 drama coming out soon called In Flight. Also Art Detectives on BBC One. 

I also did a great film called Molly vs The Machines about the tragic suicide of teenager Molly Russell who was exposed to harmful online content on social media. The film explores the role of social media companies in young people’s lives and the devastating effect that algorithms can have on young peoples’ mental health. It’s such a vital piece of work by an incredible filmmaker Marc Silver who collaborated with Molly’s dad and family to try and hold these big tech firms accountable for their role and responsibility.

Bronagh Waugh Reccommends…

I’m currently watching… Aftersun, the film by Charlotte Wells with Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, now on BBC iPlayer.

What I’m reading… The Dressmaker’s Daughter by Azuma Wundowa 

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Adolescence and Rain Dogs. And I loved Amandaland! 

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… The play Consumed by Karis Kelly when it finishes in Edinburgh and comes down South to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford. It’s an extraordinary play.

Favourite film of all time… Blue Valentine 

Favourite song of all time… Tied between ‘Let’s Stay Together’ by Al Green and ‘Proud Mary’ by Tina Turner.

Band/singer I always have on repeat… A Tribe Called Quest, Loyle Carner and a lot of Danny Go! (I have a 4 year old!)

My ultimate cultural recommendation… Misan Harriman’s ‘The Purpose of Light’ exhibition at Hope 93 Gallery in London until 18 September.

Cultural guilty pleasure… Married At First Sight: it’s my mum and I’s guilty pleasure that we watch together!

Bronagh Waugh stars in Ridley, returning to ITV1 and STV from Sunday 10 August at 8pm. Catch up on ITVX and STV Player.

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