Meet the cast of ITV thriller DI Ray

Speaking about her role, Parminder said she was drawn to the chance to play an Asian female lead, adding (via The Mirror): "Rachita is a really good, meaty character and to me, it’s all about finding this woman's place in the world.

"You don’t often have an Asian female lead on TV – it's starting to happen more, but having been in the business for so long, I feel like I've been saying the same thing for a long time.

"I can see the change with the likes of Bridgerton, but in DI Ray this is my generation of women, we’re in Birmingham and it’s so relatable – it's nice to play.

"That was the main appeal for me that I’m not playing the best friend of somebody or a secondary character, it’s all about Rachita."

Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones, Killing Eve), Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica), and Maanuv Thiara (Landscapers) also star in the drama.

What's more, the series also has some serious pedigree behind the camera, as it was created and penned by former Line of Duty star Maya Sondhi.

Read on for everything you need to know about the cast and characters in DI Ray.

DI Ray cast: Who stars in the ITV thriller alongside Parminder Nagra?

Parminder Nagra plays DI Rachita Ray

Who is DI Rachita Ray? A Birmingham-based police detective, she's offered a coveted job in the Homicide department after she gaining media attention for deescalating a violent incident in the city centre.

Parminder Nagra has said that her on-screen character Rachita is "like a female Columbo in a green coat".

• DI Ray episode 1 recap: Line of Duty creator's new thriller ends on cliffhanger

"She's conflicted about her own identity and the piece raises a lot of questions about what happens in the workplace, and whether she's hired for a case that's culturally specific or if she’s hired because of her ability, that's a constant question in her mind," she explained.

"But as a detective she’s just persistent and hard-working, she doesn't stop. She's like a dog with a bone and she'll keep asking questions to get to where she needs to be – she's like a female Columbo in a green coat!"

Where have I seen Parminder Nagra before? She first rose to fame as the football-playing Jess in Bend It Like Beckham, before going on to star in the likes of E.R., Intergalactic, Black-ish, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fortitude, 13 Reasons Why , The Blacklist and more.

Jamie Bamber plays DCI Martyn Hunter

Who is DCI Martyn Hunter? Rachita's colleague and secret partner, who proposes to her early on in the series.

"You meet Martyn at an awards ceremony where Rachita is receiving an award. He congratulates her, and then there's a reveal that actually they're in a relationship, which they’ve been trying to keep secret because of work politics.

"But he's pretty keen to make it official and to let it be known that they are an item, so he proposes to her early on in the series," Jamie Bamber said of his on-screen character.

Where have I seen Jamie Bamber before? The actor is perhaps best known for Battlestar Galactica (as Apollo), Law & Order: UK, and Marcella (as DI Tim Williamson). He also recently played Sam in ITV's sequel to Innocent, and Col. Alexander Coltrane in Strike Back.

Gemma Whelan plays DCI Kerry Henderson

Who is DCI Kerry Henderson? Rachita's brand new colleague, who initially acts coolly towards her.

Gemma Whelan said of her character: "When we first meet her, Kerry really feels that Rachita has been given a bump up before she's ready.

"In Kerry’s view, everyone else has worked their way up through the ranks and earned their place in the team, whereas Rachita has had a ‘have a go hero moment’ as Kerry sees it, and hasn’t earned her job title. And so for Kerry, Rachita has got to prove herself, she's got no time for her initially and gives her a hard time."

Where have I seen Gemma Whelan before? She recently played another police detective, DS Sarah Collins, in drama series The Tower. Meanwhile, international viewers will know her as Yara Greyjoy in the epic HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, and she's also starred in the likes of Gentleman Jack (as Marian Lister), Emma., Upstart Crow (as Kate), Killing Eve (as Geraldine), The End of the F***ing World, and White House Farm.

Maanuv Thiara plays PS Tony Khatri

Who is PS Tony Khatri? A family liaison officer with South Asian heritage who joins Rachita's investigation.

"I think Tony is very comfortable in his skin, and in his South Asian heritage. He’s at peace with it more than Rachita is. He wears a Kara on his wrist and he’s quite proud of his identity," Maanuv Thiara said.

Where have I seen Maanuv Thiara before? He played DC MacBride in the recent HBO Max series Landscapers, starring Olivia Colman, and Terrence in Ted Lasso. He also starred as Vihaan Malhotra in Line of Duty, and Reggie the Photographer in Brassic.

Ryan McKen plays Navin Kapoor

Who is Navin Kapoor? The initial suspect in a murder case, after a young man is found dead and the team learns that he was secretly dating Navin Kapoor's sister.

Where have I seen Ryan McKen before? He starred in the 2019 series of Line of Duty alongside DI Ray co-star Maanuv Thiara, and has appeared in the likes of Game of Thrones, Bancroft (as Daanish Kamara), Dave Me, Strangers, Silent Witness, and in Temple as D.I. Rob Moloney.

Ian Puleston-Davies is Supt Ross Beardsmore

Who is Supt Ross Beardsmore? The team's boss.

Where have I seen Ian Puleston-Davies before? He played Arthur Pennyworth in Batman prequel series Pennyworth, and Frank Jackson in Tin Star. He's also known for Marcella, Viewpoint, Hatton Garden, A Confession, and Coronation Street, among other projects.

• DI Ray ending explained: What happened to the lead detective?

DI Ray will debut on ITV on Monday 2nd May 2022. For more to watch, check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what’s on tonight.

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