Virdee
{{Short description|British Television series}}
{{for|people named Virdee|Virdee (surname)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Virdee_Title_Card.jpeg
| caption = Opening title card
| genre = Crime thriller
| creator =
| based_on = City of Sinners
by A A Dhand
| writer =
| screenplay = A A Dhand
| story =
| director =
| starring =
{{Plainlist|
- Staz Nair
- Aysha Kala
- Nina Singh
- Vikash Bhai
- Kulvinder Ghir
- Sudha Bhuchar
- Danyal Ismail
}}
| narrated =
| theme_music_composer = Hans Zimmer
James Everingham
| composer = James Everingham
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| num_series = 1
| num_episodes = 6
| executive_producer = Paul Trijbits
A A Dhand
| producer = Stella Nwimo
Himesh Kar
| editor =
| cinematography =
| runtime =
| company = Magical Society
| budget =
| network = BBC One
| first_aired = {{Start date|2025|02|10|df=y}}
| last_aired =
}}
Virdee is a 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 was produced by Magical Society for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It was broadcast in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 10 February 2025.
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.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/happy-valley-sally-wainwright-jenna-coleman-nicole-lecky-sacha-dhawan-bbc-1235703782/|website=Variety|accessdate=25 August 2023|date=25 August 2023|title= Happy Valley' Creator Sally Wainwright, Jenna Coleman, Nicôle Lecky, Sacha Dhawan Series Set at BBC|first=Naman|last=Ramachandran}}
Cast
- Staz Nair as DCI Harry Virdee
- Aysha Kala as Saima Hyatt-Virdee
- Nina Singh as Tara Virdee
- Manjinder Virk as Mandip Virdee
- Vikash Bhai as Riaz Hyatt
- Kulvinder Ghir as Ranjit Virdee
- Sudha Buchar as Jyoti Virdee
- Elizabeth Berrington as DSup Clare Conway
- Danyal Ismail as DS Amin
- Tomi May as Enzo Tobin
- Andi Jashy as Vasil Shala
- Ramon Tikaram as Jai Pawa
- Nichola Burley as Sophie Brodenham
- Tobias Jowett as Young Harry Virdee
- Jack Archer as Alastair Boardman
- Hussina Raja as Nadia Ansari
- Connor Horrigan as Viktor
- Madiha Ansari as Fatima Farooqi
- Charlie Mann as Paul King
- Jason Patel as Pervez Sheikh
- Conor Lowson as Xavier Stead
- Rupert Procter as Bertie
Episodes
{{Episode table |background= #841B2D |overall= |title=|director=|writer= |airdate=|viewers=|viewersR={{Cite news |title=Weekly top 50 shows|url= https://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/most-viewed-programmes/ |work=BARB|access-date=4 March 2025}}|country=UK|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Episode 1
|DirectedBy = Mark Tonderai
|WrittenBy = A A Dhand
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|10|df=y}}
|Viewers = 3.32
|ShortSummary = Detective Harry Virdee becomes deeply involved in the search for a missing teenager trapped in a county lines drug operation. After an impassioned plea from the boy's mother, Harry faces the temptation of stepping over a dangerous line.
|LineColor = 841B2D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = Episode 2
|DirectedBy = Mark Tonderai
|WrittenBy = A A Dhand
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|17|df=y}}
|Viewers = 2.69
|ShortSummary = A shocking murder shakes Bradford's criminal underworld, intensifying rival gang conflicts. Harry's investigation into the killer takes him to the victim's ex-boyfriend, where he uncovers the hidden facets of her life. At the same time, Saima takes a daring step to repair strained family relationships.
|LineColor = 841B2D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Episode 3
|DirectedBy = Mark Tonderai
|WrittenBy = A A Dhand
Danusia Samal
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|24|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary = As the community struggles to recover from the nightclub attack, the killer escalates their actions with a high-profile abduction. The case garners national attention, prompting the UK Crime Agency to intervene, casting doubt on Harry and Conway's positions in the investigation.
|LineColor = 841B2D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Episode 4
|DirectedBy = Milad Alami
|WrittenBy = A A Dhand
Namsi Khan
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|3|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary = The killer raises the stakes, making it personal with a harrowing phone call to police headquarters that compels Harry to confront a painful memory from his past. Meanwhile, an unexpected revelation leads Saima to question everything she thought she knew about Harry and her brother.
|LineColor = 841B2D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Episode 5
|DirectedBy = Mo Ali
|WrittenBy = A A Dhand
Nessa Muthy
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|10|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary = After Harry is hospitalised following a near-fatal attack, the killer reaches out to the police with a proposition. Meanwhile, Vasil sets his sights on Riaz, driven by a thirst for revenge. Saima, determined to investigate her brother, stumbles upon revelations far beyond her expectations.
|LineColor = 841B2D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = Episode 6
|DirectedBy = Mo Ali
|WrittenBy = A A Dhand
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|17|df=y}}
|Viewers = 2.42
|ShortSummary = In a tense showdown with the killer, Harry faces an unthinkable dilemma. With time slipping away and options dwindling, Harry takes a bold gamble, paving the way for a devastating climax.
|LineColor = 841B2D
}}
}}
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.{{cite web|website=The Guardian|accessdate=10 December 2023 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/02/amit-dhand-harry-virdee-bradford-bbc|title= 'He's my own Dark Knight': TV's new sleuth, invented by a Bradford pharmacist|first=David|last=Barnett|date=2 September 2023}} However, later reports suggested it is actually the third novel, City of Sinners, which Dhand himself adapted for television.{{cite web |first=Amit|last=Roy|url=https://www.easterneye.biz/asian-author-aa-dhands-crime-detective-series-gets-bbc-treatment/|website=Easterneye.biz|title= Asian author AA Dhand's crime detective series gets BBC treatment|date=4 October 2023}}
Executive producer is Paul Trijbits for Magical Society, AA Dhand, and Jo McClellan for BBC.{{cite web|website=Yorkshire Post|accessdate=10 December 2023|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/virdee-bbc-one-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-4267432|title= 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 |first=Liana|last=Jacob|date=24 August 2023}} The series producer is Stella Nwimo and the series was co-produced by Gareth Coulam Evans, Callum Dodgson and Sylvie Richards. The series was scored by James Everingham, with the main theme composed by Everingham and Hans Zimmer and featuring Indian composer Shashwat Sachdev.{{cite web|url= https://www.televisual.com/news/hans-zimmer-seeks-composing-trainee-for-bbc-drama-virdee/|website=Televisual|accessdate=10 December 2023|title= Hans Zimmer seeks composing trainee for BBC drama Virdee|date=22 November 2023}}
=Casting=
In August 2023, Sacha Dhawan was cast in the lead role.{{cite web|url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/tv/bbc-announce-two-new-dramas-27583856.amp|website=Examiner live|accessdate=25 August 2023|title= BBC announce two new dramas Hot Flush and Virdee set and filmed in Yorkshire|first=Sebastien|last=McCormack|date=25 August 2023}} In February 2024, he was replaced in the role by Staz Nair.{{cite web|url= https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60021290/virdee-bbc-game-of-thrones-staz-nair/|website=Digital Spy|date=29 February 2024|accessdate=1 March 2024|title= BBC announces new northern-set crime drama fronted by Game of Thrones star|first=Rebecca|last=Sayce}}
=Filming=
Filming commenced in February 2024 in Bradford. Bradford is the 2025 UK City Of Culture and various iconic landmarks feature in the series.{{cite web |url=https://becomingthemuse.net/2025/02/13/virdee-series-review/ |website=Becoming The Muse |access-date=14 February 2025|title= Virdee Series}} {{cite web|date=21 November 2023|url=https://www.theknowledgeonline.com/the-knowledge-bulletin/post/2023/11/21/filming-begins-in-bradford-on-detective-drama-virdee-|website=The Knowledge|accessdate=10 December 2023|title= Filming begins in Bradford on detective drama Virdee
Broadcast
A premiere of the series was held at St George's Hall, Bradford on 6 February 2025 at a red carpet event, attended by Dhand, Nair, Kala, Bhai, and Ismeal, among others.{{cite web|website=bbc.co.uk|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgj268y46w7o.amp|title= Crime drama shot in Bradford to have city premiere|first=Adam|last=Laver|date=16 January 2025|accessdate=16 January 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://yorkshirebylines.co.uk/region/bbc-thriller-series-virdee-premieres-on-the-red-carpet-in-bradford/|title=BBC thriller series Virdee, premieres on the red carpet in Bradford|author1=Filipa Justino|author2=Freya Ingram|publisher=Yorkshire Bylines|date=10 February 2025|accessdate=25 February 2025|language=en}} The six-part series was shown in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 10 February 2025.{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/sacha-dhawan-virdee-newsupdate/|website=Radio Times|accessdate=25 August 2023|title= Doctor Who star Sacha Dhawan cast in new BBC crime drama Virdee|date=24 August 2023}}
The series was shown in Australia on SBS Television and streaming service SBS on Demand weekly from 27 March 2025.{{cite web |last=Mathieson |first=Craig |title=Virdee TV series review: British crime drama will leave you exhausted and disorientated |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=19 March 2025 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/this-british-crime-drama-will-leave-you-exhausted-and-disorientated-20250318-p5lkgk.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319221803/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/this-british-crime-drama-will-leave-you-exhausted-and-disorientated-20250318-p5lkgk.html |archive-date=19 March 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=18 April 2025}}
Soundtrack
Hans Zimmer and James Everingham composed the Virdee title theme and series score, featuring Shashwat Sachdev. Trainees from Screen Academy Bradford joined the scoring process to get a hands-on experience of composing for screen.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/staz-nair-sacha-dhawan-virdee-rebel-moon-1235841683/|website=Deadline|accessdate=29 February 2024|title= 'Rebel Moon's Staz Nair Replaces Sacha Dhawan In BBC Crime Thriller 'Virdee'|date=29 February 2024}}
Reception
Lucy Mangan in The Guardian praised the "satisfying plot" and the charisma of Nair as Virdee and "Dhand’s great talent for finding the emotionally universal in the culturally specific."{{cite web|first=Lucy|last=Mangan|url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/10/virdee-review-tremendous-tantalising-action-packed-fun|title= Virdee review – tremendous, tantalising, action-packed fun |website=The Guardian|date=10 Feb 2025|accessdate=11 Feb 2025}} Carol Midgely in The Times enjoyed the "strong" and "powerful” portrayal of the family dynamics in the series but cautioned viewers against the "barbarity" of the violence.{{cite web|website=The Times|url= https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/virdee-review-bbc1-cj9sb79zw|first=Carol|last=Midgely|title= Virdee review — Bradford has never been so atmospheric … or so violent|date=10 Feb 2025|accessdate=11 Feb 2025}} Chris Bennison for The Telegraph favoured "the gentler domestic scenes" describing Kulvinder Ghir, as Virdee’s disapproving father, as "quietly impressive", and compared Nair to "Daniel Craig-era Bond" but for all the "vignettes that fascinate – the gangs specifically recruiting young South Asian women to deal drugs because the politically aware Bradford police don’t dare stop and search them" felt that "they get buried" by "crime-thriller tropes".{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Bennison|date=10 February 2025|accessdate=11 February 2025|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2025/02/10/virdee-bbc-one-review/|title= Virdee, review: this clichéd crime drama could have been much more |website=The Daily Telegraph}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|29081720}}
- {{BBC Programme|m0027vxj|Virdee}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Virdee}}
Category:2025 British television series debuts
Category:British detective television series
Category:Television shows based on British novels
Category:BBC mystery television shows
Category:British English-language television shows
Category:Fictional British detectives
Category:Television shows set in Bradford