Those who are tuned in to ITV's new police drama DI Ray were shocked when they realised where they had seen detective inspector Rachita Ray before.
The series follows DI Rachita Ray who has just joined a homicide investigation. But when she learns the killing has been labelled as a 'culturally specific homicide', she suspects she was only promoted to the role because of her ethnicity.
Determined to prove herself, DI Ray gets stuck into the investigation, and call out her colleagues on their prejudices along the way. Check out the trailer here:
After it launched on ITV this week, viewers were immediately hooked - though some couldn't help but point out that Rachita Ray looked rather familiar.
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The lead character is, of course, played by Parminder Nagra who stole our hearts when she played Jess in the classic British comedy Bend It Like Beckham.
Fans couldn't believe their eyes when they realised the teen football fanatic was all grown up and back on our TV screens 20 years later.
"Watching Parminder Nagra and am struggling to comprehend that it’s TWENTY YEARS since Bend it Like Beckham" tweeted one viewer.
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Shocked that it had really been 20 years since the iconic film was first released, a second replied: "I did not need this reminder 😭".
A third wrote: "20 years since Bend it Like Beckham and I can’t believe we’ve seen very little of Parminder Nagra on British TV in that time. Have always thought she’s a brilliant actor. Glad to see her as the lead in #DIRay."
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And a fourth ecstatic fan commented: "I beamed when I saw @parmindernagra's trailer for new @ITV
drama "DI Ray". Do you know this is Parminder's FIRST lead role in a TV drama?! 20 years after her brilliance as the lead in Bend It Like Beckham? (unlike the career of her co-star) It's about time."
DI Ray continues at 9pm tonight on ITV.
Topics: TV And Film, ITV
Ali Condon