Meet the Cast of BBC’s Virdee

Brits have been spoilt in recent years with crime drama and Virdee is the latest show that is set to grace TV screens.

The BBC series is set in Bradford and is based on AA Dhand’s bestselling crime novel series.

Comprised of six episodes, Virdee follows Detective Harry Virdee as he tries to track down a serial killer targeting Bradford’s Asian community.

But the dedicated officer is torn between his duty to uphold the law and his personal struggles.

Harry also has to deal with his Sikh family, who have abandoned him after marrying a Muslim woman named Saima.

Virdee is set to premiere on February 10, 2025, so let’s find out who is starring in the show.

Staz Nair – Detective Harry Virdee

Staz Nair steps into the lead role after replacing Doctor Who’s Sacha Dhawan, who dropped out last year due to scheduling conflicts.

Staz said: “It’s an absolute honour to be taking on this vibrant and complex story about assimilating culture and what we’re willing to do to protect who and what we love.

“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.”

Staz said it was a role that “requires such a nuance and emotional range”, adding that it has challenged and educated him both professionally and personally.

Born in London to Malayali and Russian parents, Staz is no stranger to our screens.

He played Qhono in Game of Thrones, starred as Rocky in Fox’s 2016 Rocky Horror Picture Show remake, and appeared alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins and Djimon Hounsou in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon and its 2024 sequel.

Some may even recognise him from The X Factor.

In 2012, Staz Nair auditioned as part of boyband Times Red.

The trio became fan favourites after flashing their abs on stage and made it to the judges’ houses before being eliminated.

Aysha Kala – Saima Virdee

East London’s Aysha Kala will play Harry’s wife, Saima.

While much about Saima is still under wraps, we know her marriage to the detective has caused a rift in Harry’s family—a tension that will unfold in the series.

The couple share a son, Aaron, whose curiosity about his dad’s relatives prompts Harry to reconnect with his estranged family.

Aysha made her TV debut in Shameless as Sita Desai, Chesney’s cousin, before starring as Sooni in the historical drama Indian Summers.

She’s also built an impressive stage career, performing at the National Theatre in productions like The Motive and the Cue and The Father and the Assassin in 2023.

Nina Singh – Tara Virdee

British Punjabi actress Nina Singh stars as Tara.

Tara is Harry’s niece and she is an ambitious local crime reporter.

Nina Singh previously appeared in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2023) alongside Jim Broadbent and in BBC’s Waterloo Road.

Elizabeth Berrington – DS Clare Conway

Waterloo Road alum Elizabeth Berrington plays Detective Sergeant Clare Conway in Virdee.

A familiar face to many, Berrington starred as Princess Anne in the 2021 Princess Diana biopic Spencer.

She had an appearance in the Black Mirror episode ‘Hated in the Nation’.

Elizabeth is a regular on British TV, with roles in The Bill, Doctor Who, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Stella, and The Syndicate.

Vikash Bhai – Riaz Hyatt

Riaz is Harry’s brother-in-law but things are complicated as he also runs Bradford’s biggest drug cartel.

When a kidnapping grips the city, Harry turns to Riaz for an unexpected alliance to help solve the case.

Meanwhile, Vikash Bhai is no stranger to drama.

In 2022, he played Chinar in BBC’s Crossfire, starring Keeley Hawes, about a British family caught in an armed assault while on holiday in Spain.

Kulvinder Ghir & Sudha Bhuchar – Ranjit & Jyoti Virdee

Kulvinder Ghir is best known for BBC’s cult comedy Goodness Gracious Me.

He also appeared in the classic working-class film Rita, Sue and Bob Too.

Sudha Bhuchar, born in Tanzania to Indian parents, is a celebrated playwright whose work over the decades has centred on telling British Asian stories.

She has also appeared in the likes of EastEnders and Coronation Street.

Together, they play Harry’s estranged parents, Ranjit and Jyoti.

With its compelling storyline, layered characters, and a focus on British Asian representation, Virdee is set to make a lasting impact, offering audiences a fresh and culturally rich take on the crime thriller genre.

Virdee premieres on February 10 on BBC One at 9 pm, with episodes being released weekly.