BBC announces brand new gritty crime drama with Doctor Who star
THE BBC has announced a brand new gritty crime drama with a Doctor Who star.
The broadcaster has ordered six episodes of Virdee, a detective-based series.
It’s based on the best-selling novels of AA Dhand which will be adapted for television.
Starring in the gritty show is Doctor Who’s Sacha Dhawan, who has also featured in comedy drama The Great.
Set to broadcast next year, the series will open as Detective Harry Virdee is disowned by his Sikh family for marrying a Muslim woman.
While he struggles to cope with being disowned by his family, Harry is still trying to solve a case.
A serial killer is at large and targeting the Asian community.
The murderer takes things to another level and kidnaps a local MP’s daughter in Bradford, holding the entire city to ransom.
However, unlike other crime dramas, this detective will have to enlist the help of organised crime.
Harry is forced to turn to brother-in-law Riaz, a drugs kingpin who runs the largest cartel in the county.
Pulled together in an alliance that could ruin them both, Harry must make a choice: save himself and his family or save his city. He will not be able to do both.
Filming on the new series is due to begin later this year in the Bradford area.
Speaking about the commission, author AA Dhand said: “Like me, DCI Harry Virdee is a proud Brit who dreams big and whilst he is passionate about his heritage, it is not something which solely defines him.
“He refuses to be shackled by the past and believes in merging worlds, cultures and identities; no matter the cost. Hey, aim big or go home – this is Yorkshire.”