The Ridge on BBC: Start date confirmed for new psychological thriller filmed between New Zealand and Scotland
That childhood trauma? It's coming to get you!
The Ridge, coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC Two in October 2025, has everything you want from a series – a great cast, beautiful locations, and gripping plot – and now we know the start date.
The new six-part psychological thriller stars BAFTA Scotland award-winning actress Lauren Lyle. Of course, Kare Pirie fans will know her as the titular herione. So we know we’re in good hands here.
She plays a deeply troubled Scottish anaesthetist, whose “childhood trauma is catching up with her”. Here’s everything you need to know about BBC Two’s “strange, gothic, psychological thriller” The Ridge, including plot, cast, start date, and location.
What is The Ridge on BBC Two about? What’s the plot?
The upcoming BBC Two thriller The Ridge introduces “gifted but deeply troubled” Scottish anaesthetist Mia. She’s known for her calm precision under pressure. However, behind the façade of professionalism lies a dark secret. She’s battling a hidden opioid addiction and spent her life trying to run from childhood trauma.
When Mia flees to New Zealand to attend her estranged sister’s wedding, she’s horrified to discover that her sibling has actually died just days before her nuptials. Locals are calling the fall from a mountain ridge a tragic accident, but Mia doesn’t buy it. She believes Cassy was pushed and murdered and sets about hunting for the killer.
A synopsis tells us: “Mia’s instincts scream murder. Strung out and increasingly isolated, Mia’s grip on reality begins to fray. Complicating everything is her growing attraction to Cassy’s enigmatic fiancé Ewan – the last person to see her sister alive. Something about him unsettles her. Something that feels dangerously familiar.
“Haunted by the past, hunted by the truth, and pushed to the edge, Mia must confront not only what happened to Cassy – but who she’s become.”
How many episodes is it? How can I watch it?
The Ridge on BBC Two is six episodes of an hour each.
It will lands as a boxset, as well as airing weekly on BBC Two.
Who’s in the cast?
Scottish actress Lauren Lyle, 32, portrays Mia in the cast of The Ridge. Of course, she is best known for playing DS Karen Pirie in the detective drama of the same name. TV viewers will also know her as Marsali in Outlander, Jade Antoniak in Vigil, Dani Holliday in Toxic Town, and June McCusker in The Bombing of Pan Am 103.
New Zealand actor Jay Ryan stars as Ewan. Jay, 44, made the move across to Australia at the age of 19 to take on the role of Jack Scully in the long-running soap Neighbours. He’s also known for portraying Able Seaman Billy ‘Spider’ Webb in Sea Patrol, Kevin in Go Girls, Ben Wesley in Mary Kills People, and Bobby in Creamerie.
Jay is perhaps most famous for playing Vincent Keller in Beauty and the Beast.
The largely Kiwi cast also includes:
Grafted star Chloe Parker as Sadie.
Concordia’s Dulcie Smart as Annot.
Shortland Street’s Florence Hartigan as Sgt Libby Grimes.
The Gulf’s Kauri Williams as Teddy.
Mean Mums’ Aroha Rawson as Brenda.
Sweet Tooth’s David Van Horn as Harry.
Oddly Even’s Beth Alexander as Natalie.
Time Trackers’ Joe Dekkers-Reihana as Eru.
Scottish actor and Six Four star Taqi Nazeer as Riz.
River City and Shetland star Claire Dargo as Gloria.
High Times’ Cora Bissett as Jacky.
Where was The Ridge on BBC Two filmed?
The Ridge was filmed on location between New Zealand and Scotland.
The six-part drama was produced by Glasgow-based Sinner Films and New Zealand’s leading drama makers Great Southern Studios, for BBC Scotland and Sky New Zealand Originals.
The Ridge was made with the support of New Zealand On Air, the NZ Screen Production Rebate and Screen Scotland.
When’s the start date?
The Ridge debuts on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 in the UK on BBC iPlayer and BBC Scotland.
BBC Two will air the series in the UK from Thursday 23 October.
Read more: This City is Ours series 2 starts filming with another famous Liverpudlian joining the cast
