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Well acted, great direction, superb production and cinematography, but a few holes in the script.

I really enjoyed the series and particularly liked that it was set in Bradford with Muslim detective maried to a Hindu woman (apologies if I got the wrong), who's investigating the drugs trade.

It shows a side of England that I know nothing about and I really liked that.

The characters are well written and they are played by actors I haven't seen before, and they play it well.

This series set it up very nicely to move to the next series and I look forward to it.

I hope the writer takes note that the holes need to be dealt with.

Recommend viewing, yes.

This had a lot going for it. Especially the location in Bradford and the unusual characters involved.

The acting was pretty good.

But just a few things let it down - I'm not sure if it was the directing or the director of photography but why oh, why focus on a coffee cup in the last scene?

Why oh why leave the door open when you're about to do something nefarious?

And surely everybody has seen silence at the lambs now. And certainly the writers had. So wouldn't it be sensible to come up with something a little bit different?

Or at least introduce some humour around it?

I started liking some of the characters but by the end I was pretty bored with them. Again, too many lingering shots of handsome faces.

And repetitive dialogue.

Nice try - try again please!

Vikash Bhai is a decent actor but i dont think he's strong enough for this lead role. His action scene acting is good but he doesn't convince when it comes to the more subtle parts required. Its a shame because the story isn't bad and it's pretty watchable. Good to see a mainstream series set in Bradford too and i guess its a fair reflection of some of the areas of the city.

I haven't read the books but my friend has and he says there are some major changes for the screen and not all for the better. We binged the series and it was alright but I felt it could have been so much better. Hopefully there is a second series and they can grow into the characters more. Elizabeth Berrington steals most scenes she is in as Virdee's boss and she is in no way an outstanding or leading actress just very solid and consistent. Therein lies the problem with the casting maybe?

Still worth a watch though.

I'm enjoying it so far. I'm also agreeing with some of the things being said, (harry great actor, but not so in the softer areas,) I'm wondering what era it's set, 2025? Cos little Germany has bn used in wartime scenes before and the use of the 3story homes in manningham etc? Seems early 1940's to me, even though I'm feeling 2025 in there too. Like I said only on episode 3, so may update my review later.

My husband refuses to watch after viewing the first episode he veiws it to a parallel universe? He only sees this because of the scenes jumping from one area to another in one step, when actually they're a ten minute drive away..

I wasn't sure after the first episode, but the second had me hooked. Strong cast led by Staz Nair, who is a commanding force on screen in the title role of Harry Virdee. All the supporting cast are also very good. Storyline is compelling, as are the side stories about the characters personal lives.

The overall tone, characters and story really reminded me of Luther, which is no bad thing.

The setting in the Asian community in Bradford offers something refreshingly different and highlights another side to British life not often seen on TV. And as someone not part of that community, I also found it educational.

Virdee 2025 BBC 6 x hour long episode.

Detective thriller set in Bradford, ready for its City of Culture status.

Throwing in a multicultural mix, drug dealers, armed cops and robbers, dastardly Eastern European, mix race marriages, same sex relationships, family squabbles, LGBQT club culture, and wait for it the best one yet is a wronged serial killer with a grudge who has a thing about bugs which he likes to plant in his victims (have we seen that before?). What have you got Virdee, a sprawling mess of a series. Acting is poor, lots of side glances and looking away when wronged , quivering lips and tear filled eyes.

The amount of money that has been spent on this is criminal, it is a big production, movie length scale, it is clearly aiming for mass appeal and no doubt commercial sales. Its set for a follow up, with loose ends tied up giving us pointers for the direction of season 2.

2/10 for the story, 8/10 for the production , but overall for this embarrassing failure 4/10 PS I have avoided any racial stereotyping unlike this series.

Don't judge in the first episode. Keep watching as it does take a little while to get into the characters and the story, then before you know it you are drawn in and you get taken on a great journey. Raw and gritty, the tension builds up nicely and It's full of action and lots of thrills. It also has some very emotional and thought provoking scenes giving a good balance and understanding of the characters. Feel that the main actor grew into his character and he gave a stellar performance. The main actors are cast really well and all the interactions between them set up the foundations of the story line. Absolutely brilliant! Thoroughly enjoyed it and was sat on the end of my seat. Couldn't wait for the weekly watch, but had to binge watch it on iPlayer! Story is very well written and complete and the ending leaves it very nicely set up for the next series and I can't wait!

This film had great potential based on the trailer, and as someone who has lived in West Yorkshire, I was especially excited to see it. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a disappointing experience. The storyline felt like a recycled version of older, well-executed films but was poorly delivered. While the scenery and cast were different, the performances failed to elevate the film.

Adding to the frustration, the filmmakers seemed more focused on incorporating themes of political correctness-LGBTQ representation, intermarriage, and religion-rather than ensuring a coherent and compelling narrative. As a result, some plotlines felt disjointed or entirely lost. There's a time and place to raise awareness on various social issues, but in this case, it felt forced and detracted from the storytelling.

Given the significant budget behind this production, it's disappointing that this was the final result. What could have been a great film ended up being a missed opportunity.

Sad.

Detective Harry Virdee desperately tries to track down a vicious killer, one with sadistic methods.

First of all, some of these reviews, I have to question if they're based on the whole series, or ten minutes of episode one.

If you're missing Luther, this may just give you your much missed fix, there are certain similarities, it's high octane, action packed, gritty, violent, and we have a charismatic, maverick Cop.

Stick with it is my advice, it's perhaps a little slow to get going, but when it does, it transforms into a gritty, addictive series. Episode 4 sees a big switch up, that's where it really does hit top gear.

Expect plenty of violence, and a couple of grim sequences, I haven't actually seen scenes like this on The BBC since the last run or Luther.

Bradford, The City of Culture plays a huge part, and it looks exactly what it is, a working class, Northern City.

Staz Nair is excellent as Virdee, and if you're a fan of handsome guys, there's no shortage here! At times Aysha Kala really is the star of the show, and Saima is a truly fascinating character, although there's no shortage of those, Harry's father and brother in law, Riaz both play a big part.

I just wish Elizabeth Berrington had played a more active role, such a talented actress, she seems to get better and better.

9/10.

I really wanted to like this. It's filmed locally and we've been seeing streets as sets in the local papers and social media.

The tick list of stereotypes for both the police and criminals were duly complied with bringing nothing noteworthy to the screen. Looking at some of the other reviews and they'd have you believe this ranks with Happy Valley but don't kid yourself as it doesn't hold a candle to it.

It's obvious they are trying to tie in with Bradford City of Culture but it actually looked like they'd cleaned up the streets losing the deprivation and grit

Hopefully some powerful characters and great acting could save the series but that was asking too much. Russell Crowe was slated for his accent in Robin Hood but being Australian he had an excuse. The accents in this were dreadful leaving me wanting to cover my ears but worse still was the wooden acting with the supporting cast outperforming the lead actors.

Promised so much but ultimately disappointing.

Going through the shows and films that are coming out, I saw this one advertised on the BBC and decided to watch the new crime drama Virdee. I got through the 6 episodes over the last couple of days and here is my review of the show. The premise of the shows sees a police detective attempt to find a killer who is targeting the Asian community while dealing with his own demons.

Main Character Staz Nair plays Harry Virdee and he is fantastic in this show. He absolutely nails it as this hard boiled cop and he was a character that I really wanted to root for. He gives a really strong well rounded performance that fits the overall feeling of the show.

Supporting Characters Vikash Bai plays Riaz Hyatt who is an unlikely ally of Harry and is also involved of the shady parts of Bradford. He is great and I really liked the dynamic between him and Harry and how the show does a great job of building their dynamic and relationship.

Aysha Kala plays Saima Hyatt, who is Harrys wife on the show and she is also great. I really believed in their relationship and the two of them have great interactions and story progression that makes them both strong characters.

The rest of the characters come from either Harrys work or both Harry and Saima's families who don't get along. Everyone does really great jobs in their roles whether they are big parts of the show or small parts. They make this feel like an authentic show that delivers on what it promises.

Story The Story is good. There is a real mystery about who Harry is chasing, mixed with family and personal situations that feel realistic and a bit fresher then expected. However, I didn't find the reveal who was the killer to be that interesting and certain elements of the plot didn't seem that important and like it kind of fizzled out.

Script The script has some smart writing and creates interesting characters to populate this show and aid in these great performances. But sort of linked above, I don't think the shows actual story and structure was great and was the part of the show that could have been improved.

Style The show looks great, it really encapsulates the city of Bradford. The show is violent and moves at a great pace that I kept wanting to watch and became hooked. The action scenes are well filmed and the grit really adds a lot to the show.

Overall Overall, Virdee is a great sleeper hit and a show that should be watched. I had a great time with Virdee and I hope we do get more from this show in the future and I would say, give this show a chance I think people will really enjoy it.

Rating - 8/10.

I'm really disappointed to see my religion and culture portrayed this way. Written by A A Dhand, and based on his books, this TV series is out of touch in so many ways. Sikh people don't act this way. Yeah, they gossip a bit, can act a passive-aggressive at times, and have family politics, but fathers and sons don't get into physical altercations with each other. There's a lot more respect than that.

The biggest theme/drama comes from racism and cultural divides. It's really sad to see, as these types of views are long passed. If the series was set in the 1980s, it could be half believable, but not in today's world. There's other ways of creating drama as well as showing families and other cultures. Case in point: The Sopranos.

Casting of Staz Nair has missed the mark. Unfortunately, he isn't relatable as a leading man or Sikh guy. He doesn't look or act the part. The Bradford accent is bad, but the Punjabi one is worse. Nothing against Staz, but couldn't they have found someone from up north/Punjabi background to fit the role?

The series is full of stereotypes (like South Asians don't have enough of them), and it's slow moving. I was hoping for a gritty, well thought out inspired detective drama like Luther, but it's nowhere near that standard.

Thanks, BBC and Amit Dhand, for depicting Sikh people like a non-progressive, backwards set of morons(!)

Excellent BBC drama/crime series. Its different, explosive and the acting is superb, especially from Aysha Kala, playing the wife of Harry Virdee. She plays the role so well, and without giving anything away you really get an insight into their culture as well as playing an innocent part in Harry's busy work life.

I would say expect the unexpected in this series, it really gets you on the edge of your seat once the drama starts unfolding and you get hooked. Its not all drama as you do get to follow the personal lives of the characters as well. I really enjoyed it and I would highly recommend watching the show.

I quite enjoyed this new series as it was great seeing an almost all non white cast....don't honestly quite know what some of the low reviews are being so harsh about. The Bradford accents were fine....the series was very well acted by everyone and the twists and turns in the plot had me binge watching on iPlayer. My only negative is some of the plot holes that were quite big, otherwise I would have scored higher - an example was when Virdees wife Saima is watching Riaz at his warehouse across the road from her car. Everyone standsing outside the warehouse would have seen her car, it was directly opposite and not far - just wasn't believable to me. Anyway, watch this as it's very good in terms of screen play as the storyline was well written. The actors who played Virdee, Saima and Riaz were absolutely outstanding. Loved seeing them in this...it's hard to please everyone but well done!!

First episode starts with a chase to catch a criminal,exciting and frightening. Goid start.

Harry virdee is good tough police detective,on a mission to make Bradford a better place,of course he has to have personL family problems, as is the rule in all British police programs,lol.

But that's OK, Harry I'd incorruptible but willing to break the rules if it gets results Alot of colourful Asian events like wedding and diwali,are great as my knowledge is sadly lacking,I hope there are events in future episodes.

It's quite dark and doesn't pull it punches,showing the underbelly of Bradford.

Finally a main character police program with an Asian actor.

Wow what an awful show.

Plot is terrible acting is worse.

They try to be progressive by mixing religions and couples.

But just stay true to what the actual world is like.

Found the acting to be so unbearable that I managed 30 mins and switched off.

So really wanted this to be successful wanting a detective show with a south Asian lead to be good.

But no same old cliche rather than just a normal south Asian family like 99% of the people I know.

The actors cannot even speak the language properly.

At least find people who you are trying to represent in the show.

Trying to see virdee speak punjabi was painful Very very disappointed.

Staz Nair commands the screen as DCI Harry Virdee, bringing both intensity and emotional depth to this gripping BBC crime drama. His portrayal balances relentless determination with moments of vulnerability, making Virdee a standout character in the genre.

From high-octane chases through Bradford's streets to quieter, introspective moments grappling with family tensions, Nair delivers a nuanced and charismatic performance. His physical presence and emotional range make Virdee not just a detective, but a man fighting battles on multiple fronts.

With a sharp script and atmospheric storytelling, Virdee is a must-watch-elevated by Nair's compelling and layered performance. If this is the start of a franchise, he's set the bar high!

Staz Nair fails to command the screen as DCI Harry Virdee, lacking both intensity and emotional depth in this bland BBC crime drama. His portrayal is an unfortunate balance of absentmindedness and misdirected focus -- fire the focus puller -- making Virdee a standout character for all the wrong reasons.

From low-octane chases through Bradford's streets to louder, hair-pulling moments as family members grapple with each other, Nair delivers a mind-numbingly boring performance. His miniscule screen presence and emotional lack of range make Virdee not even a detective, and definitely not a man fighting battles on multiple fronts.

With a box-ticking script and sophomoric storytelling, Virdee is a do-not-watch, not least as a result of Nair's monotone and single-layered performance. If this is the start of a franchise, the BBC are doomed!

(This had to be said, in the interests of balance.)

This was a superb thriller series which had everything.

Coming from an ethnic background British born this was a great production by the directors, producers and actors where they excelled whereas in the past it may have been cringeworthy.

It was binge worthy and something fresh. The series was conducted with a premium status. Top class acting well produced in a cinematic format and each episode had a twist and a great ending.

They should be up for several awards. Fantastic watch and hope the stars and production team go onto create many more successful series which should hit globally.

10/10.

This could have been a decent watch with a storyline that was believable, but alas it's all over the place and I do mean all over the place. From family feuds to woman speaking down to their men like they're a second class citizens, and in the faith that they follow it just doesn't happen that way. If there is going to be another series it needs to be far more believable not out in there in fantasy land. I can't understand why there was so much emphasis put into the family animosities, it was misplaced and not needed in the overall story line. Fortunately we have fast forward and can skip through the worthless story lines. It May cut the length of the series down but it will definitely enhance it overall.

This is the best show I have seen in a long time, we have binge watched the show in two nights I've not read the books, but taking the show as it is , the characters are fantastic, the main killer very edgy and very Killy, gritty drama, good detective I liked virdee reminded he is likeable but floored, friends with the wrong people.

The main drug lord is hard not to like, even though you know he's not a good guy.

Touches on inter cultural marriage how this can affect families, the complexities of racism. I hope the next series looked at wider area of Bradford, in the distance shots it looks a large city with a lot of county side and outlying areas.

I didn't know what I was expecting but I always give new projects a go.

I am really disappointed & I couldn't get through the first episode. So many inexperienced actors & bad directing make it unwatchable. Every issue possible was thrown into episode 1. Most producers have learnt that a slow burn is more watchable.

Bad plotting & non-sequiturs are unacceptable. Was this made in a hurry, with a too-small budget or did it take too much time to develop & did the funds run out?

It's unfair on the creative team that they weren't looked after effectively.

BBC editors & producers must have watched the series & decided that it was broadcast ready. I don't understand how the quality of programmes broadcast by one station can be so variable.

I really enjoyed this series and it's definitely worth watching. The positives were the main Asian characters were believable and their performances strong throughout. The Bradford setting was great to see and the supporting cast positively added to the setting. The storyline was well constructed although there were a few areas you could pick holes with in the investigation side of things. I was glad to see that one of the holes was revealed at the end which lends itself hopefully to a new series The only big negative was the Det Supt Berrington character which was lame making her seem gullible.