DI Ray, featuring Parminder Nagra as a detective inspector in a fictitious Birmingham-based police force, is back on ITV. Despite having no formal acting training, the 49 year old shines in the lead role and boasts an intriguing background.
Born in Leicester, she was approached by her former drama instructor after leaving school, who invited her to join the Leicester-based theatre company Haithizi Productions.
She landed a role in the musical Nimai, eventually replacing the lead actress who had withdrawn. Despite being a complete novice, she received acclaim for her singing and acting skills.
Choosing not to attend university, she concentrated on her acting career, with her breakthrough film being Bend It Like Beckham in 2002.
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