Rising Star from Bradford in BBC Drama Virdee

A teenager from Bradford, Yousef Naseer, 19, features in the much-anticipated upcoming BBC drama, Virdee. Set and filmed in Bradford, Virdee tells the story of Detective Harry Virdee (Staz Nair), a dedicated officer estranged from his Sikh family after marrying Saima (Aysha Kala), a Muslim woman.

Yousef, who lives in the city and went to school at Dixons City, plays the role of Ateeq. His brother, six-year-old Wissam Naseer also features in the series, playing Aaron Virdee, the lead character’s son.

Ann Chaddwick, Director of Cause UK interviewed Yousef for the Yorkshire Post and placed him a variety of media. Cause UK Public Relations has been representing Articulate Agency who places actors in TV and film roles since November 2023. Articulate Agency in the News! | Cause UK

Yousef said: “My role in Virdee was very emotive. It tested me in many ways. I play a great character called Ateek, who is born and raised in Bradford. He has his struggles; the character I was playing was so similar to people I know of where I’m from. It put me straight back into my roots. He’s the person I had always tried to avoid becoming. You can see the vulnerability behind the character.”

Bradford author AA Dhand adapted the six-part series, based on his best-selling novels, for the screen.

Yousef’s acting career has been supported by Articulate Drama School and Acting Agency based in Baildon, Bradford. He started acting classes at Articulate aged eight.

Founded in 2013 by former lawyer, Stacey Burrows, Articulate has grown into one of the UK’s leading acting agencies, with a reputation for casting children and young acting talent. Articulate also runs established acting schools across the Yorkshire region.

Articulate Agency works with the top UK and US casting directors, producers and show runners to secure high-profile, career-making roles, including major Hollywood opportunities.

Its talent star across all major TV networks, including Netflix, Sky, ITV, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO, and the BBC, as well as independent and major UK and US film studios, and are trusted by Disney, Universal, and Fox.

Yousef said: “I wouldn’t have had these opportunities if Articulate wasn’t in Bradford. Articulate is why I’m here today, especially as a young Asian lad. It’s very easy to get sucked into the same crowd that many of my friends unfortunately find themselves in. They find themselves without realising going down a rabbit hole – drugs, crime – they can’t really get out of. Articulate has played the biggest part in my success, in getting to where I am now.”

Yousef’s first major role was in Fox’s Tyrant a TV series filmed in Budapest. His overseas filming continued with a role in Sky’s Strike Back, and he’s also had great success in children’s TV shows in the UK with the Tracy Beaker spin-off on CBBC, The Dumping Ground, which he filmed across several years, and as Saleem Paracha in Channel 4’s Ackley Bridge. He’s also appeared in the BBC shows, Casualty and Doctors.

Stacey Burrows, founder of Articulate Agency, said: “Yousef was an acting novice when he first started weekly classes at Articulate, and went on to land some dream jobs. Yousef has been a part of Articulate for so many years now, and we’re incredibly proud of his talent and successes to date. He has filmed all over the world but to film in his home city is incredible for him as he’s a very proud Bradfordian.”

Despite the dark subject matter, Yousef said setting and filming a mainstream drama in Bradford was ‘something to be proud of.’

Yousef said: “It’s what people watch nowadays – thrillers and dramas that have you on the edge of your seat. Regardless of what the drama shows, the fact it was filmed in Bradford, shows there’s opportunity. It means everything to film here. It’s very easy for cities that have a stigma around them as a bad place to be only be known for that. It means the world that some positive things are happening around Bradford.”

Yousef said: “I think when Virdee airs, people will start to see me for the more adult actor that I am.”

In March this year, Articulate Agency will officially launch the agency’s adult casting branch.

Stacey said: “We’re excited to announce that Yousef will be one of the very first clients to move to our very exclusive adult books, which the wider industry is very excited about.”

Now in his first year at Salford University where he commutes from his home in Bradford, Yousef says his main focus ‘has and always will be acting.’

Bradford is the 2025 UK City of Culture, which will see a year-long celebration around the city and across the BBC as the official broadcast partner of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.

About Articulate Agency

Bespoke and dynamic, Articulate Agency is recognised as one of the best casting agencies in the country.

It specialises in securing significant acting roles for its clients in TV, film, commercials, and radio, with a strong reputation representing children (4-15) and young adults (16-25).

It works with the top UK and US casting directors, producers and show runners to secure high-profile, career-making roles, including major Hollywood opportunities.

Articulate Agency talent star across all major TV networks, including Netflix, Sky, ITV, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO, and the BBC, as well as independent and major UK and US film studios, and are trusted by Disney, Universal, and Fox.

The agency prides itself on its ethical approach to developing talent, with a focus on guidance and nurturing, through personalised career management and expert industry guidance.

It provides powerful advice and unbreakable support to its clients, with a mission to create a level playing field, promoting inclusion and diversity.

It represents clients from across the UK, and is closely tied to the Articulate Drama School, providing younger clients with exceptional training in screen acting and accent skills.