Virdee

Last updated

Virdee
GenreCrime thriller
Based onCity of Sinners
by A A Dhand
Screenplay byA A Dhand
StarringStaz Nair, Aysha Kala, Nina Singh, Vikash Bhai, Kulvinder Ghir, Sudha Bhuchar, Danyal Ismail.
Theme music composer Hans Zimmer
James Everingham
Composer James Everingham
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producersPaul Trijbits
AA Dhand
ProducerStella Nwimo Himesh Kar
Production companyMagical Society
Original release
Network BBC One

Virdee is an upcoming six-part British crime thriller television series. It is adapted by A A Dhand from his own Bradford-set crime novel series. It stars Staz Nair and is being produced by Magical Society for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Contents

Synopsis

Harry Virdee is a detective hunting down a killer targeting the Asian community in Bradford. Meanwhile, his Sikh family are dismayed at his decision to marry Saima, who is Muslim. [1]

Cast

Production

Based on the character from the A A Dhand crime novels, which debuted in 2016 with Streets of Darkness, which in September 2023 was reported to be the novel being adapted into a six-part television series. [2] However, later reports suggested it is actually the third novel, City of Sinners, which Dhand has himself adapted for television. [3]

Executive producer is Paul Trijbits for Magical Society, AA Dhand, and Jo McClellan for BBC. [4] The series producer is Stella Nwimo and the series is being co-produced by Gareth Coulam Evans, Callum Dodgson and Sylvie Richards. The series is set to be scored by James Everingham, with the main theme composed by Everingham and Hans Zimmer featuring Indian composer Shashwat Sachdev. [5]

Casting

In August 2023, Sacha Dhawan was cast in the lead role. [6] In February 2024, he was replaced in the role by Staz Nair. [7] That month, announced cast also included: Aysha Kala as Saima Virdee; Nina Singh as Tara Virdee; Vikash Bhai as Riaz Hyatt; Kulvinder Ghir as Ranjit Virdee and Sudha Bhuchar as Jyoti Virdee. Elizabeth Berrington and Danyal Ismail also star in the series.

Filming

Filming commenced in February 2024 in Bradford. [8] [9]

Broadcast

A premiere of the series is being held at St George's Hall, Bradford on 6 February 2025. [10] The six-part series will be shown in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. [11]

Soundtrack

Multi-award-winner composers Hans Zimmer and James Everingham have been announced to be composing the Virdee title theme and series score, featuring Shashwat Sachdev. Trainees from Screen Academy Bradford will also be joining the scoring process to get a hands-on experience of composing for screen. [12]

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References

  1. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (25 August 2023). "Happy Valley' Creator Sally Wainwright, Jenna Coleman, Nicôle Lecky, Sacha Dhawan Series Set at BBC". Variety. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  2. ↑ Barnett, David (2 September 2023). "'He's my own Dark Knight': TV's new sleuth, invented by a Bradford pharmacist". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  3. ↑ Roy, Amit (4 October 2023). "Asian author AA Dhand's crime detective series gets BBC treatment". Easterneye.biz.
  4. ↑ Jacob, Liana (24 August 2023). "New Yorkshire crime drama based on best selling books written by AA Dhand will be filmed in Bradford and will be a key part of activities leading up to 2025 Bradford City of Culture". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  5. ↑ "Hans Zimmer seeks composing trainee for BBC drama Virdee". Televisual. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  6. ↑ McCormack, Sebastien (25 August 2023). "BBC announce two new dramas Hot Flush and Virdee set and filmed in Yorkshire". Examiner live. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  7. ↑ Sayce, Rebecca (29 February 2024). "BBC announces new northern-set crime drama fronted by Game of Thrones star". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "Filming begins in Bradford on detective drama Virdee". The Knowledge. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  9. ↑ Bennett, Rowan (22 February 2024). "BBC series Virdee seen filming in City Hall, Bradford". Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  10. ↑ Laver, Adam (16 January 2025). "Crime drama shot in Bradford to have city premiere". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Doctor Who star Sacha Dhawan cast in new BBC crime drama Virdee". Radio Times. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  12. ↑ "'Rebel Moon's Staz Nair Replaces Sacha Dhawan In BBC Crime Thriller 'Virdee'". Deadline. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
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