DI RAY: FIRST LOOK, TRAILER AND STORY DETAILS FOR SECOND SERIES OF ITV DRAMA

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…

Alongside Parminder Nagra, the second series features returning cast members Gemma Whelan as DCI Kerry Henderson, Ian Puleston-Davies as Superintendent Ross Beardsmore, Steve Oram as DS Clive Bottomley, Peter Bankole as DS Kwesi Edmund and Sam Baker-Jones 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.

Episode 1: Two months after her suspension, DI Rachita Ray is thrust back into homicide after a fatal drive-by shooting outside a Birmingham hospital leaves two dead: a young nurse, Megan Parks, and the head of a notorious local crime syndicate, Frank Chapman. DI Ray is in a race against time to uncover the truth before the Chapman family act out their revenge and an all-out gang war erupts onto the streets.

Episode 2: Having lost trace of two kidnappers in a daring car chase, DI Ray must team up with the Serious Organized Crime unit to find her prime suspect before it’s too late. The team uncover a sinister link between the Chapmans and Mochanis when a photo is discovered on Rav’s laptop, and Sharan Mochani receives an ultimatum. Rachita’s faith in her team is shaken when her behavior is brought into question.

Episode 3: The clock is ticking to track down an armed fugitive after a third murder victim is found, and Rachita is forced to confront a familiar face from her past. As racial tensions rise in the community, police failings are brought under the spotlight. A historical feud between Frank and a former associate breeds a fresh lead. Meanwhile, Suzie begins to make inquiries into her family’s affairs.

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.”

DI Ray returns later this year on ITV1. Synopsis for episodes 4-6 are not available at time of writing.