Parminder Nagra returns to ITV1 as Detective Inspector Rachita Ray, for a second series of acclaimed police thriller, DI Ray.

The new six-part series has been commissioned for ITV1 by Head of Drama, Polly Hill.

Set in Birmingham, the series, will see Leicester-born DI Ray investigating the murder of a high-profile criminal. Sensitive ethnic issues relating to the case ignite racial tensions, causing a personal conflict for Rachita, both as a British Asian woman and as a police officer, which she must fight to prevent a turf war erupting on the streets of Birmingham…

The new six-part series of DI Ray will be written by Line of Duty actress and screenwriter Maya Sondhi (Mount Pleasant, The Kumars, Ackley Bridge, EastEnders) Ben Tagoe (Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, In The Long Run) and Sarah Deane (Compulsion, Granite Harbour). The lead director is Nirpal Bhogal (Endeavour, Misfits), with the series produced by Roya Eslami (Adult Material) and executive produced by Madonna Baptiste (Stephen, Black Mirror) and Jed Mercurio (Trigger Point, Line of Duty).

Parminder Nagra, who plays DI Ray, commented:

“How lovely to have got the response that we did for series one. Thanks to our audience and to ITV and our amazing talented producers Maya Sondhi, Jed Mercurio, Madonna Baptiste, Jimmy Mulville, we get to do it again. We look forward to taking you on another thrilling adventure!”

Creator and writer Maya Sondhi said:

“I am so excited to be able to work with Parminder again and all the team at HTM to bring back a series two that goes deeper, darker and twistier than Spaghetti Junction…Thank you so much to ITV1 and the viewers for making it happen.”

Executive producer Madonna Baptiste said:

“We’re so pleased DI Ray’s unique blend of propulsive crime drama, while tackling racial issues, was embraced by ITV1 audiences and achieved high viewing figures. We’re absolutely thrilled to be making a second series with our brilliant cast and crew and thank ITV1 and viewers for their support.”

The series will be produced by HTM Television, an independent production company co-owned by Jed Mercurio and Hat Trick Managing Director Jimmy Mulville. It will be distributed globally by Hat Trick International and Anton Corp.

Further casting will be announced in due course.

DI Ray will be filmed in the Midlands in 2023.