Virdee: Aysha Kala On Starring In The BBC’s New Detective Drama

Tonight, the BBC’s brand new Bradford-based detective drama begins, immersing us in the world of committed cop DCI Harry Virdee (Staz Nair) as he hunts down a serial killer preying on the local Asian community. In his home life, Harry faces struggles of his own: his Sikh family has disowned him for marrying Muslim woman Saima (Aysha Kala) – and his young son Aaron has started asking questions. We sat down with Aysha to hear all about starring in the series.

Aysha Kala (Photography by Rich Lakos, Hair by Miguel Perez, Make-Up by Barrie Griffith)

Interview: Aysha Kala On Starring In Virdee

Hi Aysha, how’s life going at the moment?

Life is great at the moment. Very busy as I’m filming the second season of Criminal Record for Apple TV. I’m really excited to get back into Sonya as she’s such a fun character to play.

You are about to star in the BBC’s adaptation of Virdee – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

Set and filmed in Bradford, Virdee tells the story of Detective Harry Virdee, a dedicated police officer estranged from his Sikh family after marrying Saima, a Muslim woman. It crosses between his personal life and his slightly unorthodox methods of policing. A turf war is brewing between two local gangs and Harry is caught up in it. Add into the mix a serial killer who seems to be targeting the Asian community and Harry personally and its all kicking off!

You play Saima – how would you describe her?

Saima is incredibly strong, loyal and fair. She’s an A&E nurse and so she takes no nonsense from anyone. The show really genre hops, and she starts off in a family drama and ends up in this gangster/horror-esque drama. Her whole world is flipped upside down and so she’s pushed to her limits, and only then does she realise how strong she actually is.

How did you feel when you got the role?

There’s a funny thing that happens whenever I get a role I really want. Firstly, I’m thrilled. Secondly, I feel like it was obviously a mistake and someone’s going to say, ‘oops, sorry, not for you’. And lastly, I have a little panic that I won’t be able to do it. As soon as the first day is over though and no one taps me on the shoulder to say ‘you’re fired’, I’m all good.

Saima Hyatt (AYSHA KALA) in Virdee. (BBC/Magical Society/Vishal Sharma)

What was it like playing her?

I’ve never played a character with such a drastic story arc – that was the most exciting thing about playing her. She is a completely different person by the end and everything she believed to be true about her life is now in question. For an actor, that’s a gift.

Did you do anything special to prepare for the role?

The accent was so important for all of us. We had an amazing dialect coach Natalie Grady who helped us right from the start. I also have two sister-in-laws who are nurses in A&E so I tapped them up for information.

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

There was a day where I finished about halfway through the working day and I stuck around to watch the night shoot. Up until that moment, I’d been filming quite small scenes with two or three people in them, usually in the hospital, and suddenly I was watching this scene unfold in the middle of Bradford City Park with about 200 extras in riot gear, drones, helicopter lights and Staz standing in the middle of it all like a kid in a candy shop. I thought to myself, ‘oh god, this is actually epic!’

What was the cast dynamic on set?

I know actors always say this, but we all got on so well. Everyone was really supportive and worked so hard. We were all really passionate about making the show the best it could be. I think when you’re working away from home you naturally end up becoming more of a support network for one another.

Who was your favourite person to work with?

This would be like asking someone to choose their favourite child: I can’t, and I won’t! (Definitely Wissam, who plays my son. He’s the cutest!)

Harry Virdee (STAZ NAIR) & Saima Hyatt (AYSHA KALA) in Virdee. (BBC/Magical Society/Sam Taylor)

You’ve also got season 2 of Criminal Record coming up on Apple TV. Can you tell us a bit about that?

I’ve only read a few episodes myself, so I couldn’t tell you much even if I wanted to, except that they are just as gripping second time round!

You play Sonya Singh. What was it like to return to that character?

I absolutely love playing Sonya. She says what she wants when she wants and has ovaries of steel. With Sonya, I can afford to play her a little bit bigger and freer than most characters I’ve played on TV and it’s just a joy.

Anything you’re especially looking forward to the audiences seeing in season 2?

I think the dynamic between June (Cush Jumbo) and Hegerty (Peter Capaldi) is what makes the show, and we get some really juicy moments with them in this season. Watching them in the read-though, the whole room just zones in on them and you can feel something shift in the air. People are going to love it.

What has been your favourite project to date?

Indian Summers, a job I did for Channel 4. We spent six months filming in Malaysia two years in a row. The cast were so lovely we’re all still friends now, and Penang where we filmed has the most incredible food scene. We stuffed our faces with delights every day! It was a dream job.

Any roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!)

Well, I’m actually just about to take on the role of a lifetime – becoming a mum for the first time!

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

I’ve been really lucky to work with some amazing people, but the first that comes to mind is Mark Gatiss. The man does everything: writes, directs and acts, all to the highest level. Plus, he’s so lovely too.

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

I think I’ve actually learned the most from directors I’ve worked with. Working with Sam Mendes and Indhu Rubasingham at The National, I learned the importance of collaborating whilst maintaining your creative vision. They are pros at that.

What’s your dream role?

I often play characters who fight for what’s right and have a really good moral compass, so I’d love to play the opposite of this – someone really awful, like a criminal mastermind or a serial killer. Something so far removed from myself or anything else I’ve played.

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

I’d love to do a bit more comedy after two quite heavy dramas.

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with?

Jesse Armstrong, Stefan Golaszewski, Jamie Lloyd… There’s a long list!

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

When I was really young, I wanted to be a window cleaner. I always thought it looked like so much fun.

If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be? 

Rebel a little! I was such a goodie two shoes.

How can we all live a little bit better?

Less screen time and get outside more.

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?

Professionally I’m excited for people to watch Virdee, and personally I’ve got lots of lovely holidays booked this year with a newborn baby in tow!

Aysha Kala (Photography by Rich Lakos, Hair by Miguel Perez, Make-Up by Barrie Griffith)

Aysha Kala Recommends…

I’m currently watching… Re-watching The Bear

What I’m reading… Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Anora

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Virdee of course!

Favourite film of all time… If I want a rom-com, When Harry Met Sally, if I want drama, Good Will Hunting, and if I want a thriller, The Bone Collector.

Favourite song of all time… ‘I’m Thinking of You’ by Sister Sledge

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Beyoncé 

My ultimate cultural recommendation… Beigel Shop, Brick Lane (I dream about them)

Cultural guilty pleasure… Gogglebox

WATCH

Aysha Kala stars in Virdee, kicking off tonight at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.