BBC release first pictures of crime thriller series Virdee

Six-part series Virdee, which is based on the best-selling novels by Bradford author AA Dhand, is set to air on the BBC.

The new pictures show Staz Nair, of Game of Thrones fame, in the lead role of Bradford-based detective, Harry Virdee.

Staz Nair plays Harry Virdee (Image: BBC) The show tells the story of Detective Virdee, a dedicated cop estranged from his Sikh family after marrying Saima, a Muslim woman.

The plot is as follows: "A turf war is brewing in the underbelly of the city with the police losing its grip on gang rivalries as they spill out onto the streets of Bradford.

Kulvinder Ghir stars as Harry's father Ranjit (Image: BBC) "When a young dealer is murdered, Harry’s duty to uphold the law clashes with his links to members of the crime gangs.

"With his personal life in chaos, he must hunt down whoever is targeting those around him.

Aysha Kala plays Saima Virdee (Image: BBC) "Whilst the killer 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.

"Pulled together in an alliance that could ruin them both, Harry must make a choice: save himself and his family or save his city. He will not be able to do both.

Danyal Ismail and Elizabeth Berrington star as DS Amin and DS Clare Conway (Image: BBC) In the cast, Staz Nair is joined by Aysha Kala, who plays Harry’s wife Saima and Vikash Bhai as her brother Riaz.

The images also show Kulvinder Ghir and Sudha Bhuchar as Harry's parents Ranjit and Jyoti.

All the scenes from the series were shot in Bradford (Image: BBC) Elizabeth Berrington plays Harry’s boss DS Clare Conway and Danyal Ismail is featured as his new partner DS Amin. 

Earlier this year, the BBC also announced that Nina Singh will play Tara Virdee, Harry’s niece and an up and coming crime reporter, and Manjinder Virk is also to feature as his sister, Mandip.

Virdee will air on BBC One (Image: BBC) The Virdee cast also includes Tomi May (Justice League), Andi Jashy (Gangs of London), Hussina Raja (Look at Us), Yousef Naseer (Ackley Bridge), Akshay Kumar (Double Blind), Madiha Ansari (Home Sick), Nichola Burley (Wuthering Heights), Javed Khan (A Murder At The End of the World) and Ramon Tikaram (Brassic).

The multi award-winning Hans Zimmer (Interstellar and The Dark Knight) is composing the Virdee title theme.

The release of Virdee on BBC iPlayer and BBC One will form part of the UK City of Culture celebrations.