PARMINDER NAGRA

WHAT ATTR ACTED YOU TO THIS SHOW?

I think just hearing Jed Mercurio was attached to it! I’ve been a huge fan for a long time. And then when I discovered Maya was writing it, I knew it was going to be of good pedigree.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE R ACHITA?

She’s definitely strong and tenacious. I think she’s conflicted about her own identity, and the show raises a lot of questions about what happens in the workplace, and whether she’s hired for a case that’s culturally specific or if she’s hired because of her ability – that’s a constant question in her mind. But as a detective, she’s just persistent and hard-working – she doesn’t stop. She’s like a dog with a bone and she’ll keep asking questions to get to where she needs to be – she’s like a female Columbo in a green coat!

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO PLAY A TR AILBLAZING FEMALE LEAD CHARACTER?

Rachita is a really good, meaty character, and to me it’s all about finding this woman’s place in the world. You don’t often have an Asian female lead on TV – it’s starting to happen more, but having been in the business for so long, I feel like I’ve been saying the same thing for a long time. The main appeal for me is that I’m not playing the best friend of somebody or a secondary character – it’s all about Rachita.