Virdee

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 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.

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.

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.

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!