Filming is underway on the second series of Birmingham-based drama D.I. Ray starring Parminder Nagra, created by Maya Sondhi and produced by Jed Mercurio

The second series of ITV1 drama D.I. Ray, starring Parminder Nagra (Maternal, Blacklist, ER) in the lead role of Detective Inspector Rachita Ray has begun filming in Birmingham.

Created by Maya Sondhi, who starred in Line of Duty, and produced by Jed Mercurio’s HTM Television, the acclaimed six-part police thriller has been commissioned for ITV1 and ITVX by Head of Drama, Polly Hill and will be overseen by ITV Commissioning Editor Helen Perry.

Alongside Parminder Nagra, the second series features returning cast members Gemma Whelan (The Tower, Gentleman Jack, Game of Thrones) as DCI Kerry Henderson, Ian Puleston-Davies (The Bay, Archie) as Superintendent Ross Beardsmore, Steve Oram (The End of the F***ing World) as DS Clive Bottomley, Peter Bankole (The Chelsea Detective) as DS Kwesi Edmund and Sam Baker-Jones (The Walk-In) as DC Liam Payne.

It also features new cast members - Patrick Baladi (Breeders, Line of Duty) as DI Patrick Holden, Dinita Gohil (Our House) as Anita Choudhry, Witney White (Father Brown) as DC Charlene Ellis, Michael Socha (Big Boys Don’t Cry, Chernobyl) as Dave Chapman, Syreeta Kumar (Apple Tree Yard) as Sharan Mochani, Lauren Drummond (Holby City) as Suzie Chapman and Taha Rahim as Ravinder ‘Rav’ Mochani.

Set in Birmingham, the new 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 six-part series has been written by actress and screenwriter Maya Sondhi (Mount Pleasant, The Kumars, Ackley Bridge, EastEnders) and Sarah Deane (Compulsion, Granite Harbour). The lead director is Nirpal Bhogal (Endeavour, Misfits), and Nicole Volavka (The Pact, The Bay) is directing episodes five and six.

The series is produced by Roya Eslami (Adult Material) and executive produced by Madonna Baptiste (Stephen, Black Mirror) and Jed Mercurio (Trigger Point, Line of Duty).

Creator and writer Maya Sondhi said: “I am excited to bring D.I. Ray back to our screens for a second series that promises to go deeper, darker and more explosive than the last.”

Parminder Nagra, who plays DI Rachita Ray, said: “So thrilled to be back to start work on D.I. Ray 2. We have an amazing team helming it this season for what looks to be an exciting season.”

ITV Commissioning Editor Helen Perry said: “Delighted that D.I. Ray will be returning to our screens for a second series. Not only is it an adrenaline-fuelled, gripping thriller, it is also a bold and unique police drama that has something to say about contemporary Britain.

Thanks to Maya for creating another nail-biting series, to Parminder who is spell-binding as DI Rachita Ray and to all at HTM Television for delivering another captivating series. I can’t wait for viewers to watch it.”

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.