Ten Questions with Parminder Nagra

As a movie critic who’s witnessed the transformation of cinema through the decades, I must say that Parminder Nagra‘s career is a testament to resilience and versatility. From her breakout role in “Bend It like Beckham” to her long-standing tenure on ER, and now starring as DI Rachita Ray in ITV1’s police drama, she continues to captivate audiences with her compelling performances.

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Parminder Nagra first gained prominence at the age of 26 in 2001 with her role as football-loving teen Jess in Bend It like Beckham. Following her move to the United States, she landed a part on ER as Dr Neela Rasgotra, which she played until the show’s finale in 2009 and made her its longest-serving cast member. Since then, she has been seen in Agents of SHIELD, Fortitude, Intergalactic, and Maternal, and in 2022 began portraying DI Rachita Ray in ITV1’s police drama DI Ray, now in its second season.

Has there ever been discussion about a follow-up to the movie “Bend It like Beckham,” released 23 years ago, which significantly contributed to both our careers and that of Keira Knightley’s?

It’s been mentioned that Gurinder Chadha might have an idea for a sequel, but sequels can pose challenges due to the high expectations, especially for something as cherished. One might wonder if “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” or “The Breakfast Club” had sequels – sometimes, certain stories are best left untouched.

So you don’t ever wonder what Jess would be doing now?

It’s uncertain what activities she might be engaged in. Could she be training others or perhaps her own child is involved in soccer? The girl I remember from the movie “Bend It” seems almost unrecognizable to me now. Even though I know it’s me, it feels like I’m observing someone else.

Ten Questions with Parminder Nagra

Have you managed to play football since then, or do people tend to whip out their cameras whenever you’re around a ball?

When kids of my friends are playing catch with a ball, it seems like people might expect me to start dancing or showing off some skills. Training for that movie was challenging, and at times I wonder if I’d continued that regimen, I would likely be in much better shape now.

There’s a second series of DI Ray currently on ITV1 — was the character easy to get back into?

This time, I found a greater sense of comfort with her, despite her initial turbulence in the second series. To put it simply, she’s essentially driven by a strong desire to do what is right and uncover the truth, even if it creates some friction. However, in the second season, it seems that she’s delving more into politics, so I merely give my agreement and then act as I please!

What reaction did you have to series one?

I had so many texts saying it was lovely to see a south Indian person on screen that just isn’t stereotypical. But ultimately, it’s a numbers game, because it’s show-business. In terms of audience, it felt like it had been received well and people stayed to the final episode. But it’s all a work in progress, so when you’re going back to do a second series, you’re asking what are the things that worked? What didn’t quite work? How do we make it better? I mean, we got to do series two, they ordered six this time, and they’re longer episodes, too.

When friends’ children kick a ball, there’s an expectation I’ll bust out some moves

Would you get on with DI Ray, do you think?

I might not always agree with what she says because she’s quite outspoken, especially during interviews, which made them thrilling to participate in. She’s all about getting to the heart of the issue. I admire her for that, so I’d say something like, ‘You speak your mind straight up, you’re awesome!’

It’s filmed in Birmingham, but you’re still based in LA. How does that work for you?

In a more conversational style, you could say: Instead of staying a mom while my son’s in school in Los Angeles, I get the chance to switch roles during filming for DI Ray, turning me into a crime-fighting character during the holidays!

Is there any other series you’ve done or character you’ve played that you’d like to return to?

In a one-season 2012 sci-fi show produced by JJ Abrams titled Alcatraz, I played Dr. Lucy Banerjee. This series was a real treat, as rich and satisfying as a good meal. My character inhabited both the present and the 60s, making her a fascinating figure who navigated multiple timelines. Unfortunately, the series ended abruptly, leaving many questions about my character unanswered. The cast was exceptional, boasting talents such as Sam Neill, Mahershala Ali, and Rami Malek among others – an ensemble that was simply too good to be true!

Similarly, how disappointed were you when ITV’s Maternal didn’t get a second series?

We were all quite disappointed! I truly enjoyed the balance between humor and seriousness. When we delved deeply into emotions, we really gave it our all. I’d be thrilled to work on another project with a similar tone.

Lastly, on your 30th birthday, you found yourself celebrating with George Clooney – a familiar face from ER, which predates your time on the show – after crossing paths at the restaurant where you were celebrating. Any special plans in store for your 50th next year?

For the upcoming event, I’m hoping to have Tom Cruise join us! My 30th birthday party was an unbelievable, out-of-this-world experience. As we were wrapping up, I stepped forward to settle the bill since we were all there together. But my friends said “no way,” it turned out that George had already taken care of the expenses. Crazy, right?

2024-10-22 20:06

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