ITV confirms future of smash-hit crime drama after two years off air
ITV have confirmed what the future holds for hit crime drama DI Ray.
The show, which stars Parminder Nagra in the title role, is returning for a second series on the channel.
It comes as series two already aired for US audiences earlier this year.
In the new episodes, DI Rachita Ray is on the case to investigate the murder of a high-profile criminal.
However, the situation intensifies when racial tensions are ignited from sensitive ethnic issues relating to the case.
In turn, this causes a personal conflict for Rachita, as both a British Asian woman and as a police officer.
She must overcome this to prevent a turf war erupting on the streets of Birmingham.
How will Rachita’s journey ultimately play out?
Gemma Whelan is also returning for series two, reprising her role as DCI Kerry Henderson.
Meanwhile, former Coronation Street star Ian Puleston-Davies, who played Owen Armstrong, is back as Superintendent Ross Beardsmore.
Steve Oram, Peter Bankole and Sam Baker-Jones are all also making a comeback.
New faces coming on board include Line of Duty actor Patrick Baladi and former Holby City actress Lauren Drummond, among others.
Lead actress Parminder is well-known for a variety of roles across both film and television.
In 2002, starred opposite Keira Knightley in sports comedy Bend it Like Beckham.
Her character, Jesminder “Jess” Bhamra was a British Indian girl with a passion for football, although her parents did not support her interest.
Over a decade later, it was adapted into a West End musical bearing the same name.
Crime dramas on ITVX
Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.
- Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
- The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother’s grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake’s novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
- Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
- The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
- Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.
She has also made a splash on US television, with a role as Dr. Neela Rasgotra on long-running medical drama ER.
Parminder later became the longest-serving cast member following castmates’ exits.
She appeared in ER from 2003 to 2009, when it came to an end.
DI Ray series one is available to stream on ITVX.