Virdee: Cast led by Game of Thrones and X Factor star Staz Nair as Detective Inspector Harry Virdee
By Helen Fear | Mon Feb 10 2025Virdee is a brand new detective drama landing on BBC One, with former X Factor contestant-turned-Game of Thrones star Staz Nair leading the cast.
A refreshing addition to the crime genre, it's Bradford-based, and throbbing with tension - not least in DI Harry Virdee's private life, let alone his action-packed job.
The new six-part series is based on the AA Dhand novels of the same name, with singer and actor Staz Nair playing detective of Indian heritage Harry Virdee.
Here's everything you need to know about the cast of Virdee on BBC One, which follows a Bradford detective who must hunt down a killer targeting the Asian community - while dealing with his own chaotic personal life.
Who plays DI Harry Virdee in the cast? Who is Staz Nair?
London-born actor and singer Staz Nair, 33 - of Indian and Russian descent - portrays the lead character of Detective Inspector Hardeep 'Harry' Virdee in the new drama.
DI Virdee is a dedicated cop estranged from his Sikh family after marrying Saima, a Muslim. His private life is horribly messy, and scenes featuring his dad will leave you fuming.
At work, a turf war is brewing, with the police losing their grip on gang rivalries, as they spill out onto the streets of Bradford.
A synopsis tells us: "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."
Whilst the killer holds the entire city to ransom, Harry needs 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.
In real life, Staz is married to Joana Tavira. They enjoyed a Spring wedding in Sintra, Portugal, in 2023.
What is Staz Nair famous for? What's he been in?
London-born Staz is probably best known for playing Qhono in Game of Thrones. Fans of the fantasy drama will know that Qhono was a Dothraki warrior and lieutenant in the Targaryen army.
After the death of Khal Moro, he became the de facto leader of the Dothraki loyal to Daenerys Targaryen, until his death at the Battle of Winterfell.
Staz went on to portray renowned reporter William Dey in the superhero TV series Supergirl between 2019 and 2022. He was eventually murdered by Lex Luthor.
Staz's very first acting role was playing Bharat Kumar in the film Bazodee in 2015. A year later, he starred as Rocky in The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again.
After playing Gordon in Humans in 2018, he won the life-changing role in Game of Thrones. More recently, he's played Tarak in Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire, and Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver.
Was Star Nair on The X Factor?
Yes, believe it or not, Staz Nair took part in The Factor in 2012. He auditioned with the band Times Red alongside Scott Ritchie, and Luke White.
Their music was inspired by artists like Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Bruno Mars, and they performed songs including Ain't No Sunshine, Let's Get It Started, and Amy Winehouse's Rehab.
They did not make it to the live shows, and James Arthur subsequently won the series.
Aysha Kala portrays Harry's wife Saima Virdee
Essex-born actress Aysha Kala, 34, portrays Harry's Muslim wife Saima Virdee.
Aysha made her TV debut in 2011 when she joined the cast of C4's Shameless as Sita Desai. She went on to star in several films, including the comedy Jadoo, and Idris Elda's Second Coming.
Between 2015 and 2016, Aysha portrayed Sooni Dalal in the Julie Walters period drama Indian Summers.
More recently, she's played Ananya in The Doll House, and Sonya Singh in Criminal Record. Other notable roles include Amina in The Undeclared War, a detective in the Netflix series Man vs. Bee, Reshmi in Master of None, and Sarita Gupta in one episode of Call the Midwife.
She's also well known for her work in theatre, including productions of The Motive and the Cue, The Welkin, and Obsession.
Vikash Bhai stars as brother-in-law Riaz in Virdee cast
Actor Vikash Bhai stars as Harry Virdee's criminal brother-in-law Riaz.
Vikash has been on our screens since 2014, and is probably best known for playing Martin Shral in sci-fi drama Pandora.
In 2022, he starred as Chinar in the Keeley Hawes thriller Crossfire, before going on to play Mr Arun in Miss Scarlet and the Duke, and Ghazanfar in Juice.
Most recently, he played Eshaan Mallick in the 2023 Welsh comedy film Men Up, opposite Out There's Mark Lewis Jones.
Other notable roles include Khalil in Knightfall, Dev in Hanna, Anwar in The Good Karma Hospital, and DI Cooke in Casualty.
In real life, Vikash is married to Sex Education actress Rakhee Thakrar.
Danyal Ismail portrays DC Kalil Amin
Actor Danyal Ismail portrays keen-to-impress DC Kalil Amin. Danyal is perhaps best known for playing DC Martin Malik in McDonalds & Dodds series 3.
His first significant TV role was as Yousef Adwan in series 11 of Vera in 2022. He went on to star as Pascal in the Saoirse Ronan and Paapa Essiedu film The Outrun in 2024.
He'll soon appear in Ridley series 2 as Lewis Grant.
Ramon Tikaram plays Jai Pawa in Virdee cast
Singapore-born Ramon Tikaram, 57, plays Jai Pawa in the cast of Virdee on BBC One.
Ramon is perhaps most famous for playing This Life heart-throb Ferdy Garcia, a role he played from 1996 to 1997. A 10th-anniversary return of the show in 2006 was based on Ferdy's funeral.
Between 2000 and 2002, Ramon played Prashant Dattani in football drama Dream Team, before going on to portray Mick Harper in Primeval, and Mr Vong in My Spy Family.
The actor went on to portray Qadim Shah, father of Amira Shah, in EastEnders. He appeared on-screen on and off between 2009 to 2012.
Ramon also starred as Prendahl in Game of Thrones in 2013, and Inspector Victor Aziz in Pennyworth since it started in 2019. Other notable roles include Mr Honey in Stella, Dom in Man Down, Praveen Badal in Happy Valley, Uncle Varnya in The Great, and Tavani in Fortitude.
More recently, he's starred as Billy English in The Curse, Terence McCann in Brassic, Charon in Kaos, Cyrus in Tell Me Everything, and mysterious businessman George in Channel 5 thriller Love Rat.
In 1997, Ramon was offered a role in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, but refused because it would have meant cutting his hair! He's also a singer, but perhaps not quite as well known for singing as his sister Tanita Tikaram. Tanita was a big hit in the 80s with songs including Twist in My Sobriety, and Good Tradition.
Kulvinder Ghir stars as Ranjit Virdee
Kenyan-born actor Kulvinder Ghir, 59, portrays Harry's "racist" dad Ranjit Virdee in the cast of the new BBC One detective drama.
The actor, comedian and writer is most famous for his part in Goodness Gracious Me from 1998 to 2015. He played various roles in the sketch show, alongside Unforgotten's Sanjeev Bhaskar. Amongst the many characters Ghir played were Chunky Lafunga, a sexy Bollywood hero, the superhero Bhangra Man, and one half of the Bhangramuffins duo.
Kulvinder has been on our screens ever since 1985m, when he played Sunil in Tucker's Luck, a Grange Hill spin off starring Todd Carty.
He went on to portray Davy Malik in the drama Howard's Way, and Aslam in the hit film Rita, Sue and Bob Too. Between 1991 and 1996, he appeared in the comedy The Real McCoy, before playing Anil Bannerjee in Holby City.
After playing Ramesh Popat in My Life as a Popat, he won the role of Cyril in Still Open All Hours. Other notable roles include General Toda Rai in Black Narcissus, Mool Chand in Beecham House, Mohammed Khan in Lunch Monkeys, and Manjit Mathura in At Home with the Braithwaites.
Kulvinder has also voiced a multitude of animated characters, in shows such as Hilda, The Queen's Corgi, Bob the Builder, and Postman Pat.
More recently, he's played Rakesh Kapoor in Suspicion, Poly Verisof in Foundation, Frank in Beyond Paradise, and Kulvir Sharma in Call the Midwife.
Elizabeth Berrington portrays DS Clare Conway in Virdee cast
Merseyside-born Elizabeth Berrington, 54, also appears as DS Clare Conway in the cast of Virdee.
Her very first role was in 1993 when she played the role of Giselle in Mike Leigh movie, Naked - and she hasn't stopped since!
Between 1997 and 1999, she played Ruth in the acclaimed drama The Lakes, before going on to portray Marina in My Wonderful Life, Jessica Brooker in Family Business, and Val in Drop Dead Gorgeous.
She's also had roles in The Bill, Casualty and Doctor Who. One of Elizabeth's best known roles was playing Ruby Fry in BBC's Waterloo Road.
Other notable roles include Mrs Griffiths in Sanditon, Jo Powers in 2016 Black Mirror episode Hated In The Nation, and former thief Lucy Best in The Nevers.
She played Paula Kosh in Stella, Kerry in Camping, Dawn Stevenson in The Syndicate, and Nic Katchevski in Doctors. More recently, she's played Carol Pearce in Fifteen-Love, Dagon in Good Omens, Bernadette in Henpocalypse!, and Bernadette in Lost Boys & Fairies.
In 2008, Elizabeth starred with Colin Farrell in hit move, In Bruges. She also played Anne in Spencer, the biopic about Princess Diana, and Ms. Tobin in Edgar Wright's psychological thriller Last Night in Soho. She collaborated with director Mike Leigh again in the film Secrets & Lies, alongside Vera star Brenda Blethyn.
Manjinder Virk stars as Mandip Virdee
Actress Manjinder Virk portrays Harry's estranged sister Mandip Virdee in the cast of the BBC One detective drama.
She is best known for playing Dr. Kam Karimore in Midsomer Murders, and Meena in the comedy Bad Move.
Her very first TV role was in 1999, playing a nurse in Holby City, before she went on to play Khadija Miah in The Bill, Sally Fortune in Monroe, and Simran Bains in Hunted.
Other notable roles include Marianne in Ordinary Lies, opposite The Wives actress Jo Joyner, Dr. Parveen Shanker in Trust Me, and Liz Jerwood in The Beast Must Die.
More recently, she's portrayed DI Samira Desai in Trigger Point series 1, Agnes Sharma in Devils, and Farida Sadat in Shetland series 8.
Virdee full cast list:
Staz Nair plays Detective Inspector Harry Virdee.
Aysha Kala portrays Saima Hyatt.
Vikash Bhai stars as Riz Hyatt.
Danyal Ismail plays DS Khalil Amin.
Elizabeth Berrington portrays DS Clare Conway.
Kulvinder Ghir plays Ranjit Virdee.
Manjinder Virk stars as Mandip Virdee.
The Lazarus Project actress Nina Singh is Tara Virdee-Duggal.
You star Lewis Goody plays Novak Rexa.
Sudha Bhuchar - aka Sonia Rahman in Corrie - is Jyoti Virdee.
Secret Invasion actress Nisha Aaliya plays Harry's bitchy ex-girlfriend Nimrat Kaur.
Man Like Mobeen's Hussina Raja portrays Nadia Hyatt.
Newcomer Wissam Naseer plays Harry's young son Aaron Hyatt-Virdee.
Ravi star Madiha Ansari stars as Fatima Farooqi.
Sarah Pearson portrays Priti Parmar.
Akshay Kumar plays Nazir Saed.
Eye on Juliet's Mohammed Sakhi is Vinnie Kumar.
Unicorn's Jason Patel plays Pervez Sheikh.
Conor Lowson - aka Scott Dunlop in Spy/Master - portrays Xavier Stead.
Yousef Naseer is Ateeq Farooqi. He's best known for playing Saleem Paracha in Ackley Bridge, and Joseph Stubbs in Dumping Ground.
Tomi May stars as Enzo Tobin. He often plays thuggish characters, and is perhaps best known for playing Miroslav Minkowicz in Line of Duty.
Gangs of London star Andi Jashy plays gang leader Vasil Shala.
The Sandman's JP Conway portrays a lawyer.
