DI Ray creator wanted to avoid female detective “trope”

DI Ray creator wanted to avoid female detective “trope”

As a film enthusiast with a penchant for gritty police dramas and a soft spot for strong female leads, I find myself intrigued by the return of DI Ray. Having watched my fair share of cop shows over the years, I must admit that the portrayal of complex, multidimensional female characters is not always a given. However, DI Ray seems to be bucking the trend by delving deeper into the psyche of its protagonist and exploring her struggles beyond the typical “trope.


The person behind DI Ray’s development and scripting shared that they aimed to steer clear of the conventional “female detective stereotype” in their ITV crime series, set to air for its second season on October 20th.

I’ve encountered similar situations many times before, yet I didn’t desire to repeat it with her. To me, she appears unique. Her problems, though present, are largely rooted in her background, her self-concept, and her need to validate herself.

Moreover, we chose not to address the aspect that she’s an unmarried, childless woman in her forties. I preferred not to delve into that topic.

In the show’s second episode, Parminder Nagra plays the role of a detective based in Birmingham, who is working to solve the murder of a prominent criminal.

However, the intricate developments in the case sparked racial disputes, leading to a profound internal struggle for Rachita, who is not only a British Asian woman but also a police officer.

“She must fight to prevent a turf war erupting on the streets of Birmingham,” adds the synopsis.

DI Ray creator wanted to avoid female detective “trope”

After the incidents of season 1, where Ray’s fiance, DCI Martyn Hunter (Jamie Bamber), was exposed as a dishonest police officer, Ray’s emotional wellbeing is quite unstable. This instability significantly affects her judgement and actions in her professional life.

Sondhi expressed, “It’s frustrating when people’s past traumas seem to be overlooked.” In simpler terms, it feels like the memory of their pain vanishes, which is something we don’t want to happen, and we aim to remember it instead.

Instead of constantly experiencing panic attacks in restrooms and the like, it’s as if I’m saying, “Enough is enough, we have to move forward now.

Sondhi went on to describe Ray as being like a “swan” in season 2.

She’s exerting a lot of force down there,” she remarked. “More importantly, she’s an exceptional police officer with a keen instinct, something she deeply values. Her primary goal is to excel at her job, not for recognition, but because she genuinely cares about the victims and upholding justice.

To me, it’s clear that when you witness her performing that act, you recognize her resilience. You also understand the reasons behind her return and her ability to persevere.

The second season of DI Ray kicks off on ITV1 this coming Sunday, 20th October, at 9 PM. Additional episodes will air throughout the week. Also, all six episodes will be available on ITVX starting from the 20th October.

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2024-10-19 21:33