The nights may be getting longer but settling down on the sofa for your evening viewing is still a must and it's getting more interesting as ITV release its latest drama. DI Ray started on Monday night and airs for three more nights throughout this week.
ITV say the series "tracks a compelling murder investigation whilst exploring the emotive subject of racism in the workplace. It asks difficult questions about what it’s like to be British but feel ‘other’. And it does so whilst sending viewers on a thrilling ride through the murky underworld of Birmingham and beyond."
Set in Birmingham, DI Ray introduces us to Leicester-born Rachita Ray, a police officer who takes on a case that forces her to confront a lifelong personal conflict between her British identity and her South Asian heritage. Rachita achieves the promotion she's been waiting for when she's asked to join a homicide investigation.
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However, on her first day, she's told the murder to which she's been assigned is a 'Culturally Specific Homicide'. Rachita's heart sinks as she suspects she's a 'token appointment', chosen for her ethnicity rather than her ability. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Rachita sticks to the case, determined to both find the killer and call out the obvious biases her colleagues are bringing to the investigation.
The case isn’t a run-of-the-mill murder either as it involves delving deep into the dangerous world of organised crime but while Rachita is more than up for the task, what she didn’t count on is what this case stirs up inside her; the realisation that she's been burying a personal identity crisis her whole life.
The four-part drama has been written by Line of Duty actress and screenwriter Maya Sondhi and produced by Jed Mercurio’s HTM Television while the Line of Duty and Bodyguard creator also acts as executive producer of the series, alongside Madonna Baptiste (The Stranger, BlackMirror, Stephen).
Taking on the role of DI Ray is Parminder Nagra who is probably best known for portraying Jess Bhamra in the film Bend It Like Beckham which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. After appearing in the hit 2002 film, Parminder went on to star as Dr. Neela Rasgotra in the NBC medical drama series ER from 2003 to 2009.
Since then she has appeared as Meera Malik in the NBC crime drama series The Blacklist and a recurring role on the ABC/Marvel Television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Ellen Nadeer. And in 2018, Parminder joined the second season of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why as Priya Singh, the new counsellor of Liberty High.
Gemma Whelan also stars in the new ITV police drama DCI Kerry Henderson, Rachita's brand new colleague. Viewers will probably recognise the actress Yara Greyjoy in the epic HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones. She's also appeared in Gentleman Jack as Marian Lister as well as Killing Eve, The End of the F***ing World, and White House Farm.
Before DI Ray, which has been filmed in Birmingham, Gemma recently played a police detective, DS Sarah Collins, in drama series The Tower. They'll be joined by DCI Martyn Hunter, Rachita's colleague and secret partner.
Jamie Bamber takes on the role of DCI Hunter in the series. He recently played Sam in ITV's sequel to Innocent, and Col. Alexander Coltrane in Strike Back. However, he is probably best known for starring in Battlestar Galactica, Law & Order: UK, and Marcella.
Maanuv Thiara will play PS Tony Khatri in DI Ray. Last year the actor starred as DC MacBride in HBO Max series Landscapers and as Terrence in Ted Lasso. Viewers may also recognise him for roles in Line of Duty and Brassic. Meanwhile, Coronation Street's Ian Puleston-Davies stars as Supt Ross Beardsmore.
The actor played Owen Armstrong in the ITV soap but since leaving in 2015 has gone on to star in a string of dramas, including more recently The Teacher on Channel 5 opposite Sheridan Smith. Completing the main cast is Ryan McKen, who plays Navin Kapoor.
He starred in the 2019 series of Line of Duty alongside DI Ray's writer Maanuv Thiara, and has appeared in the likes of Game of Thrones, Bancroft, Strangers, Silent Witness, and in Temple.
