The Happy Valley-esque BBC drama you won’t regret watching tonight
Is Happy Valley the best crime drama that’s ever aired on British TV? Quite possibly, which is why we’re constantly on the lookout for shows that might get even a teeny bit close to emulating its brilliance. So, let us fill you in on Virdee, the new Happy Valley-style crime drama that’s airing on BBC One tonight.
Based on author AA Dhand’s bestselling crime novels, the six-part drama is set in Bradford (hello again, Yorkshire) and follows Detective Harry Virdee (Staz Nair), a dedicated police officer whose personal life is as complicated as the cases he investigates. His interfaith marriage has led to estrangement from his Sikh family and he’s also got a major drug-gang turf war to deal with.
Sound like a good way to end a Monday? We think so. Here’s everything else you need to know about the new series…
What is Virdee about?
Set and filmed entirely in Bradford, Virdee tells the story of Detective Harry Virdee, a police officer who's been disowned by his Sikh family after marrying Saima (Aysha Kala), a Muslim woman. With his young son starting to ask questions, he’s in turmoil over whether to attempt to reunite with his family.
Meanwhile, a turf war is brewing in the underbelly of the city with the police losing its grip on gang rivalries. When a young dealer is murdered, Harry finds himself in a moral dilemma. He realises that he’s going to need the help of his brother-in-law Riaz, a drugs kingpin who runs the largest cartel in the county – only it’s an alliance that could ruin them both. Will Harry save himself and his family, or save his city?
Staz Nair, who plays Harry Virdee has described it as an "absolute honour" to take on such a vibrant and complex story. "This show leads with vulnerability more than any detective drama I’ve ever seen, and it’s a privilege to be bringing AA Dhand’s hope for his city to life,” he says.
Could it be the best thing since Happy Valley? Well, there's no Sarah Lancashire or James Norton, but there is a strong storyline and we are returning Happy Valley heartland, so it's all to play for.
Who’s starring in Virdee?
The full cast of Virdee includes:
Staz Nair as Detective Chief Inspector Harry Virdee
Aysha Kala as Saima Virdee, Harry's wife
Nina Singh as Tara Virdee, Harry's niece and a crime reporter
Vikash Bhai as Riaz Hyatt, Harry's brother-in-law
Kulvinder Ghir as Ranjit Virdee, Harry's father
Sudha Bhuchar as Jyoti Virdee, Harry's mother
Elizabeth Berrington as Detective Sergeant Clare Conway
Danyal Ismail as Detective Sergeant Amin
Tomi May as Enzo Tobin
How can I watch Virdee?
The first episode of Virdee will air at 9pm on BBC One on Monday 10 February, with all episodes available to stream on iPlayer.
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