DI Ray star teases huge change for second series as ITV show returns after two years

DI Ray is returning for series two (Image: ITV)

DI Ray star Parminder Nagra and producer Maya Sondhi have opened up about why the ITV series will be different this time around.

It's been two years since viewers last saw DI Rachita Ray (Parminder) at the centre of the suspenseful Birmingham-based drama. At the end of season one, the detective inspector's career was up in the air as she found herself suspended by the police chief pending further investigation.

Ahead of series two hitting screens, Express.co.uk spoke to Parminder and Maya, who revealed the show has been taken up a notch.

Maya, best known for her role as Maneet Bindra in Line of Duty, explained: "It looks like a very different show. We've got an amazing new director and it's very noir."

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With series one only commissioned for four episodes, Maya was pleased they were able to have six to develop the characters and story further.

The actress continued: "We've got six episodes so we had more time to really explore more twists and turns, as well as Rachita and what's going on with the team.

"It doesn't feel as rushed this time around and it feels bigger. Birmingham features more, the potential unrest in Birmingham because of the case she's looking at. It feels like it's on a bigger scale for us."

Parminder agreed: "It feels like a brand new show to me. I don't feel like you necessarily need to see series one to go into season two because the look and the feel of it is just so different."

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Showering praise on her co-stars, the Bend it like Beckham star explained how DI Ray's director and DOP (director of photography) did an "amazing job" on series two.

Parminder added: "Our director Nirpal Bhogal, who directed four out of the six episodes, and our DOP Adam Lyons have just done an amazing job.

"They have really captured those moments with Rachita when she's on her own and portraying this isolated figure, and who she is within this landscape. Some of the shots across Birmingham are just stunning."

The second series of DI Ray is on ITV1 and ITVX 20th, 21st and 22nd October at 9pm. The series concludes the following week.