BBC Virdee detective series will be 'amazing', actress says

Sarah Pearson shared her excitement at being involved in the major TV series for BBC One and the Alhambra’s iconic pantomime season.

Sarah plays the character of Priti in Virdee, a powerful and gripping detective story filmed across the district.

Sarah Pearson as the Fox in Pinocchio for Bradford's Alhambra Theatre (Image: Mike Simmonds) The plot follows Detective Harry Virdee who has been disowned by his Sikh family for marrying Saima, who is Muslim. 

Virdee struggles with the abandonment, constantly attempting to reunite with his family.

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 drugs kingpin who runs the largest cartel in the county.

Crews behind Virdee set up base at Khidmat Community Centre, on Spencer Road, and a nearby shop unit. (Image: Khidmat Centres) Film crews have brought the tense story to life at locations like Little Germany, City Hall, Peel Park Terrace, Harold Park, and a shop unit on Spencer Road. 

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

Sarah told the T&A: “Everything's in Bradford at the moment. Last Christmas Virdee and then this Christmas [at the Alhambra]. I can't escape Bradford but I don't want to.

AA Dhand, pictured, the author of the Virdee series (Image: Submitted) “Especially being in Virdee, we're very predominantly South Asian casting because that's what the story's about, and that reflects the community of Bradford, that was really quite a special moment for me.

"I remember when we did the first read-through and I sat and looked along the sort of big table for the read-through and saw so many people that looked like me and so many people that were reflecting like a massive part of Bradford.

"That’s really special and, City of Culture, it's going to be amazing."

Virdee is set to air later this year.

Sarah will be part of the cast bringing pantomime magic to the Christmas season - joined by names like Billy Pearce, Coronation Street actor Chris Gascoyne, and drag star Courtney Act.

(Image: Mike Simmonds)The Huddersfield-based performer, who previously played Cinderella at the Alhambra, said: “It’s just a beautiful theatre and it has so many amazing shows that come into it.

“As soon as the email came through saying ‘Bradford Alhambra’ for panto this year, I was like no way, I’ve never accepted a job so fast in my life.

"To be here, working with Billy again which is lovely, we just got on like we did last year, all the people that work here are so lovely, it’s going to be an amazing Christmas.

“There’s so much happening up here. As a Northern girl it’s really lovely to be able to be myself in shows, I can use my accent, there’s something really special about performing nearby to where you’re from.

“I’d be happy to just keep doing that forever.”

Starting at £18.75 (inclusive of booking fees), you can buy tickets by calling the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visiting www.bradford-theatres.co.uk