Bradford rolled out the red carpet for the highly anticipated premiere of Virdee, the new six-part crime drama adapted from AA Dhand’s best-selling novels. St George’s Hall, adorned with striking posters of the series, played host to the exclusive screening, bringing together key cast members and industry insiders for a night celebrating the city’s cultural moment.
Following the preview of the pilot episode, a Q&A session, led by BBC Leeds radio presenter Rima Ahmed, gave the audience insight into the making of the show, with stars Staz Nair, Aysha Kala, Vikash Bhai, and Danyal Ismail reflecting on their roles in bringing Virdee to life.
A Crime drama with heart
Virdee is not just another crime drama—it’s a gripping blend of dark suspense and rich cultural storytelling. Set in Bradford, the series weaves together themes of identity, family, and morality with the high stakes of a murder investigation, all against the backdrop of a city that is itself a character in the story.
For AA Dhand, who recently described himself as “the BD4 corner shop boy who became a writer and screenwriter,” setting Virdee in Bradford was never up for debate. The city’s rich history and striking contrasts made it the perfect backdrop for a story that thrives on tension and emotion. “Around 200 years ago, Bradford was one of the most powerful and richest cities in Europe—we made the curtains that were in the White House!” Dhand said. “It’s got incredible locations that mirror what’s happening on screen emotionally. If you want dark drama, go to an abandoned mill in nightmarish ruins. If you want light-hearted moments, there’s City Park, the water fountains, and the mirror pool, Lister Park…”
At the heart of the show is Detective Harry Virdee, a man torn between his duty as a police officer and his fractured relationship with his Sikh family. His internal conflict adds another layer of complexity to the show, making it more than just a story about solving crime—it’s about the weight of cultural expectations and the struggle of living between two worlds.
Game of Thrones fame Staz Nair, who brings Harry to life, described the detective as someone who “leads with empathy” and “leads with vulnerability.” He explained, “Often when you look at detectives, for their own self-preservation, they are detached from their work. But Harry cannot do that. It’s always too personal for him, so he feels it all. His empathy is his superpower and kryptonite.”
For Nair, stepping into Harry’s shoes was more than just a role—it was a deeply personal experience. “A lot of the family element really hit home for me,” he admitted. “The estranged relationship he had with his culture, his father… in the end, it was cathartic.”
Bringing Virdee to life – from page to screen
Adapting a beloved book into a TV series is never easy, especially when the characters have lived in the writer’s mind for nearly two decades. AA Dhand admitted that significant changes were made to Virdee for its TV adaptation, allowing the story to take on new dimensions and breathe in a way that felt natural for the screen. But how much room did the cast have to interpret their roles freely?
At this question, Staz Nair didn’t miss a beat. “ZERO ROOM,” he deadpanned, sending the cast into laughter. Then, with a grin, he corrected himself. “No, I’m just joking. But it’s a tough thing to translate a character who’s lived with Amit for 18 years. He knew Harry Virdee better than anyone else.”
Despite this deep attachment to his creation, Dhand wasn’t rigid in his approach. “From Amit’s side, it was trust,” Staz continued. “He hired the right people to tell his vision and gave us enough room to explore and collaborate. He didn’t hold the story with a tight fist—he had an open palm. There was always a conversation, and I’m really grateful for that.”
While some actors immerse themselves in the source material before stepping into a role, Aysha Kala known for her roles in Criminal Record and Shameless, took a different approach. “I didn’t read the books beforehand. Since there are differences in the show, it just felt counterintuitive,” she explained.
Staz, on the other hand, had read the first novel but found his biggest insight elsewhere. “Being with Amit, being in Bradford, and getting to know the people there—that gave me more than anything else.”
For Aysha, what stood out most when she first read the script was something she rarely saw on screen. “It was really exciting to see predominantly South Asian characters written so well,” she said. “We get pigeonholed a little bit into telling the same stories, so this was different. It’s set in a heightened world, and that made it so exciting.”
She reflected on her character, Saima, and how her arc evolves throughout the series. “I’ve never played a character with such a journey before. She starts off caught in the middle of family drama between her husband and his family, and then, over the course of the show, she gets thrust into this world of gangsters and serial killers. Her whole world flips upside down, and she becomes a completely different person. That was amazing to play.” A small, thoughtful smile crossed her face as she spoke, the weight of Saima’s transformation lingering.
Staz, watching her speak, couldn’t help but add, “And she did it so well.” Aysha turned to him, her smile widening, and in a quiet moment of camaraderie, she reached over and gave his hand an affectionate tap.
But playing Saima wasn’t just about emotion—it was about detail. When asked how she prepared for the role, Aysha revealed that getting the accent right was a huge focus for the entire cast. “We wanted to make sure we did that justice,” she said. But beyond that, she looked to real-life inspirations. “Saima is a nurse, and both of my sisters-in-law are nurses. One of them works in A&E, so I spoke to them about their jobs.” Then, with a chuckle, she added, “They’re powerful people, aren’t they? Nurses don’t take any nonsense! That became a key part of Saima’s character.”
The supporting players
While Virdee revolves around Harry’s journey, the story wouldn’t be complete without the figures who shape his world—One of the most compelling dynamics in the series is the uneasy alliance between Harry and Riaz Hyatt, a powerful drug kingpin played by Vikash Bhai.
Describing their relationship, Vikash put it simply: “Brothers from different mothers. They’re on opposite sides of the law—Riaz is a kingpin, Harry is not. Their dynamic is challenging, but at the end of the day, Riaz is a layered character who wants to do good for the city. He might’ve made the wrong choices in how he does it, but he’s an interesting character.”
For Danyal Ismail, who plays DS Amin, joining the project felt inevitable. “Ages ago, when I heard there was going to be a crime drama set in Bradford, obviously I thought, ‘I need to be in that,’” he said with a laugh. Initially, he even auditioned for Riaz. At this, Vikash Bhai raised an eyebrow, prompting Danyal to add, “Yeah, I know—different worlds. I’m not cold enough.” The room erupted in laughter as Vikash shook his head in mock disapproval.
But while DS Amin is a far cry from Riaz, Danyal’s preparation for the role was deeply personal. “I feel like I’ve done so much crime,” he joked, before clarifying with a grin, “Crime surrounds me.” More laughter followed before he explained, “My dad is a policeman. It’s crazy what a regular police officer goes through. Hearing his stories over 30 years was priceless—he had a massive influence on how I approached this role.”
With the cast bringing such depth to their roles, anticipation was high as the audience settled in for the first-ever screening of Virdee’s pilot episode. Before the lights dimmed, AA Dhand took a moment to reflect on what the series meant to him.
“I speak a lot about resilience—I got that from the streets of Bradford. It’s time people know how sexy our city can be, how cool South Asians can be,” he declared, dedicating the show to the city that shaped him.
With that, the big screen flickered to life, pulling viewers into a world of gripping tension, unexpected humour, and raw emotion. As the credits rolled, a hush fell over the room—followed up with a standing ovation.
What Virdee leaves behind
When asked about their favourite scenes to film, the cast remained tight-lipped. “There are lots, but we can’t give anything away without spoilers,” Danyal Ismail and Aysha Kala teased, hinting at the many twists and turns awaiting viewers.
As for what they hoped audiences would take away from Virdee, Danyal reflected on the depth of the characters. “Even though it’s very dramatized and heightened, they’re in very real situations. I think it’s something that, even if you’re not from Bradford, anyone can relate to.”
He continued, “I would say just watch it and see how beautiful the city is—how cinematic it looks. Even if you have no connection to Bradford, or if you have misconceptions about the city, stay with it. It’s a beautiful series.”
All episodes of Virdee will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Monday 10 February. The first episode will air at 9pm on BBC One that evening, with episodes continuing weekly.
