VIRDEE viewers cry ‘I could literally be sick!’ minutes into the BBC drama’s debut after an intense scene.
Just seconds into the opening night time scene Detective Harry Virdee slammed open some doors in what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse.
He then rushed down some steps and gave chase through the streets to a hooded suspect in the disappearance of a teenager.
The camera zoomed in and out from all angles for several minutes and it almost felt like a roller coaster ride.
Until the pair ran into a tunnel and dove under an oncoming train.
BBC fans commented on social media to explain how they were feeling as they watched all the drama.
One viewer stated: “I still feel sick from the camera work. It was so jumpy I could actually be sick!”
Another added: “What’s with the dodgy camera angles on #Virdee it’s making me want to vom..”
A third agreed: “#virdee lost me with the nauseating camera work.”
Virdee is set in Bradford and creator and executive producer of the show, Amit Dhand, grew up there and can’t get enough of the place he calls home.
He said: “This is the friendliest city in the UK. We love people coming to visit, and we talk a lot in Bradford – everyone loves talking to you.”
The show follows Detective Harry Virdee (Staz Nair) who has become estranged from his Sikh family after marrying a Muslim woman.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”New BBC thriller showcases Bradford the City of Culture” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368188266112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]At work, Harry suddenly becomes involved in the hunt for a killer who is targeting the Asian community in Bradford which takes him all over the city.
While Detective Harry Virdee is very much preoccupied with a major gang investigation, viewers discover that the detective actually has some ties to this underworld of his own.
Namely, that one of the city’s most successful businessmen – and head of one of the gangs in question – is none other than his brother-in-law and childhood friend, Riaz (Vikash Bhai).
Bringing the show to life has given Amit the opportunity to showcase lots of his favourite spots in Bradford- including one that is very well hidden.
“Sunbridge Wells is one of my favourite places in the city – the underground tunnels are totally unique and most people have never heard of them.
“It used to be the old jailhouse under the courtrooms and for years it was a secret space, where people held underground gigs, but now it’s a whole underground arcade with bars, pubs and restaurants.
“It’s dark, cool, quirky, and we used the venue in a pilot episode – but amazingly, no one knows that part of Bradford exists.”
Staz said: “I think Bradford’s pride for itself was very evident doing this show and there’s something very infectious about that.”
He added: “Once you’ve done the work it’s no longer mine anymore, now it’s what the people think and I really hope they enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it for them.”
Staz who is best known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Rebel Moon added: “As someone who wasn’t fortunate enough to spend time with my South Asian culture.
“This was an opportunity to delve into that culture and get a real glimpse of what that feels like – what we’re proud of and what we stand for.”
Virdee airs on BBC1 and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.