'Virdee' first look images released by BBC

BBC releases first look pictures of AA Dhand's new crime thriller Virdee

The BBC has unveiled a first look at Virdee, an exciting new six-part crime thriller based on the best-selling novels by AA Dhand. Adapted for the screen by Dhand himself, the series is produced by Magical Society for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

The newly released images feature Staz Nair (Rebel Moon, Game of Thrones) as Harry Virdee, a detective navigating the streets of Bradford while estranged from his Sikh family due to his marriage to Saima, a Muslim woman, played by Aysha Kala (Criminal Record, Indian Summers). Vikash Bhai (Crossfire, Limbo) joins the cast as Saima’s brother, Riaz. The cast also includes Kulvinder Ghir (Foundation, Blinded by the Light) and Sudha Bhuchar (Expats, Rules of the Game) as Harry’s parents, Ranjit and Jyoti, along with Elizabeth Berrington (Good Omens, The Nevers) as DS Clare Conway, Harry’s boss, and Danyal Ismail (All the Lights Still Burning, The Outrun) as his new partner, DS Amin.

Set and filmed entirely in Bradford, Virdee delves into the city’s criminal underworld. The story follows Harry as he balances his personal struggles with a professional crisis. A deadly turf war threatens to overwhelm the city, with gang rivalries spilling onto the streets. When a young dealer is murdered, Harry is forced to confront his ties to the gangs he must investigate. As the stakes rise, Harry forms a dangerous alliance with his brother-in-law, Riaz, a drug kingpin controlling the county’s largest cartel. Harry faces an impossible choice: protect his family or save the city.

The series also stars Nina Singh (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry) as Harry’s niece, Tara, an ambitious crime reporter, and Manjinder Virk (The Arbor) as his sister, Mandip. The ensemble cast features Tomi May (Justice League), Andi Jashy (Gangs of London), Hussina Raja (Look at Us), Yousef Naseer (Ackley Bridge), Akshay Kumar (Double Blind), Madiha Ansari (Home Sick), Nichola Burley (Wuthering Heights), Javed Khan (A Murder at the End of the World), and Ramon Tikaram (Brassic).

The series’ score is composed by Hans Zimmer (Interstellar, The Dark Knight) and James Everingham for Bleeding Fingers, with contributions from Shashwat Sachdev. Additionally, two trainees from Screen Academy Bradford are working alongside Bleeding Fingers, gaining hands-on experience in composing for television.

The release of Virdee aligns with Bradford’s designation as the 2025 UK City of Culture, with the BBC as its official broadcast partner. The show will contribute to a year-long celebration of Bradford’s cultural vibrancy through television, radio, and digital platforms.

Directed by Mark Tonderai (Gotham, Doctor Who), Milad Alami (When the Dust Settles), and Mo Ali (Hijack, Cobra), Virdee is executive produced by Paul Trijbits (Jane Eyre, Saving Mr Banks), AA Dhand, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Producers Stella Nwimo (Gangs of London) and Himesh Kar (Murder Manual) complete the creative team. The series is distributed globally (outside the UK) by Cineflix Rights.

In collaboration with Bradford Council, WYCA, Screen Yorkshire, and the BBC, the production has also launched Screen Academy Bradford. This initiative fosters diversity in TV production by offering training and employment opportunities to local talent. With over two-thirds of participants coming from the West Yorkshire region, the academy ensures that the series authentically represents Bradford’s communities while empowering the next generation of creatives.