Film crews spotted near Bradford university and college

TV and lighting crews could be seen parked on Great Horton Road, on Wednesday (March 13).

Teams were also seen nearby, entering the grand building that belongs to Bradford College.

Vans were parked near the college and university early in the morning.

Film crews near the university and college (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

While it has not been confirmed what the filming is for, crews have been spotted around the city as AA Dhand's Virdee series is brought to life.

The Bradfordian's popular crime novels are being turned into a six-part series for BBC One.

Production is well underway in Bradford, with historic City Hall already providing a moody backdrop in several scenes.

Internationally acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer is working on the show’s title theme.

Zimmer has worked on huge films including Gladiator, Dune, Inception, The Lion King and more.

The series score is being crafted alongside LA-based James Everingham from Bleeding Fingers studio, Indian composer Shashwat Sachdev, and trainees from Screen Academy Bradford.

The show makers have also partnered with Bradford Council for a series of specific training programmes across all departments of TV production.

It gives Bradfordians the chance to learn and work in the TV industry.

Dhand was raised in Bradford and spent his youth observing the city and its different communities from behind the counter of a small convenience store. 

Filming in City Hall (Image: Newsquest)

After qualifying as a pharmacist, he worked in London and travelled extensively before returning to Bradford, where he started his own pharmacy business. 

He wrote the Virdee series whilst running the pharmacy.

The show follows Detective Virdee, who was disowned by his Sikh family for marrying Saima, who is Muslim. 

With his personal life in chaos, he must hunt down a killer targeting the Asian community.

When the murderer kidnaps a local MP’s daughter in Bradford and holds the entire city to ransom, Harry realises that he is going to need the help of his brother-in-law Riaz, a drug kingpin who runs the largest cartel in the county.

Staz Nair will lead the cast as Detective Harry Virdee after replacing Doctor Who’s Sacha Dhawan due to scheduling issues.

AA Dhand, pictured (Image: Submitted)

Aysha Kala, of Criminal Record and Indian Summers, has been cast as Saima Virdee, Harry’s wife. 

Nina Singh (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry) plays Tara Virdee, Harry’s niece and a keen crime reporter.

Meanwhile, Vikash Bhai (Crossfire, Limbo) is Harry’s brother-in-law Riaz Hyatt. 

Kulvinder Ghir (Foundation, Blinded By The Light) and Sudha Bhuchar (Expats, Rules of the Game) will play Harry Virdee’s parents, Ranjit and Jyoti.

Elizabeth Berrington (Good Omens, The Nevers) also joins the cast as DS Clare Conway and Danyal Ismail (All the Lights Still Burning, The Outrun) will play DS Amin. 

The Virdee cast also includes Tomi May (Justice League), Andi Jashy (Gangs of London), Hussina Raja (Look at Us), Ashkay Kumar (Double Blind), Madiha Ansari (Home Sick), Jason Patel (Unicorns), Conor Lowson (The Bay), and Rupert Procter (Doctors).