Aaron May & David Ridley
Aaron and David (A&D) are a progressive composer duo working in film and television. They create bold, distinctive soundtracks combining contemporary classical elements with an electronic edge. Their working practice puts an emphasis on experimentation and conversation, both with each other and their co-creatives, capturing the spirit of fruitful collaboration.
Aaron & David’s TV work includes the groundbreaking Netflix series Adolescence (2025), directed by Philip Barantini and produced by Matriarch Productions, Plan B and Warp Films, which smashed all streaming records to become the first ever UK streaming show to top the weekly British ratings chart, as well as becoming Netflix’s second most-watched English-language series of all time.
Other hit series include BBC’s Boiling Point (2023), the series adaptation of Barantini’s award-winning feature starring Stephen Graham, two consecutive series of ITV’s primetime 5-parter Malpractice for World Productions; starring Niamh Algar and James Purefoy (which was the most-watched new ITV drama of 2023) and three seasons of When The World Watched, for FIFA/Noah Media Group (2020-2022).
Their film work includes 4x BAFTA nominated feature Boiling Point (2022), Netflix’s feature documentary Con Mum (2025), action-thriller Accused for XYZ/Netflix (2023), award-winning Amazon feature-documentary Arsène Wenger: Invincible (2021) and feature film Villain (2020) directed by their frequent collaborator, Philip Barantini.
Upcoming work for 2026 includes the third instalment of Netflix’s successful Enola Holmes franchise, again starring Millie Bobby Brown and expected for release in Spring 2026.
Aaron & David met at The University of Bristol, where they were both scholars on the Masters in Composition course. They played in bands together and collaborated on a wide range of projects before spending a few years working their way into the industry; Aaron focussing on bespoke commissions and installations for the V&A, Science Museum and BBC R3/R4 among others, and David composing and directing music for theatres such as the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre. The duo reunited in 2017 on their first short film, Kin, starring Joseph Quinn, which eventually led to their debut feature, Villain, in 2020.
TV
Adolescence (2025)
Production Company: It’s All Made Up / Netflix
Director: Philip Barantini
Creators: Stephen Graham, Jack Thorne
Malpractice S2 (2025)
Production Company: World Productions
Directors: Anthony Philipson, Jennifer Sheridan
Producers: Bart Ruspoli, Hester Ruoff, Graham Drover
Boiling Point (2023)
Production Company: Ascendant Fox/BBC Studios
Director: Philip Barantini
Producers: Bart Ruspoli, Hester Ruoff, Graham Drover
Malpractice (2023)
Production Company: World Productions/ITV
Director: Philip Barantini
Producers: Sophie Reynolds
FILM
Enola Holmes 3 (2026-)
Production Company: Legendary Entertainment
Director: Philip Barantini
Producers: Millie Bobby Brown, Robert Brown, Alex Garcia, Ali Mendes, Mary Parent
Con Mum (2025)
Production Company: Netflix
Director: Nick Green
Producer: Harry Harris
Accused (2023)
Production Company: Sunrise Films
Director: Philip Barantini
Producers: Samantha Beddoe & Edward Caffrey
Arsène Wenger: Invincible (2021)
Production Company: Federation Entertainment / Canal+
Directors: Gabriel Clarke & Christian Jeanpierre
Producers: Torquil Jones & Andrew Lynch
Boiling Point (2021)
Production Company: Ascendant Films
Director: Philip Barantini
Producers: Hester Ruoff & Bart Ruspoli
When The World Watched: Brazil 1970 (2020)
Production Company: Noah Media Group/FIFA Films
Director: Andrew Lynch
Villain (2020)
Production Company: Ascendant Films
Director: Philip Barantini
Producers: Bart Ruspoli
