‘Bend It Like Beckham’ stuns fans with new role

Parminder Nagra is finally back on screens after starring in Bend It Like Beckham, and fans can’t believe it.

Two decades have passed since Bend It Like Beckham graced movie screens, making stars out of its cast in an instant.

The 2002 smash hit, which followed a group of football-crazed teenage girls began impressive careers for the actors featured, including Hollywood star Keira Knightley — The Sun reports.

Parminder Nagra starred alongside Keira Knightley in 'Bend It Like Beckham'.

Parminder portrayed Jess Bhamra in the hit 2002 flick.

But what about Parminder Nagra, then 26, who played the central character of Jess Bhamra, a young girl dreaming of more than she’s allowed to expect?

Her role inspired a generation of young British and Asian women to aim high and follow their dreams.

Bend It Like Beckham, which took over £60 million at the box office, made its debut on screens in 2002.

Since then, in terms of lead roles, Parminder has been left on the bench.

But that has all come to a head, with Parminder now the star of ITV’s new British crime drama DI Ray, produced by Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio.

ITV viewers were stunned to see Parminder in DI Ray. Picture: ITV

The 46-year-old plays DI Rachita Ray, a detective investigating a murder that draws her deep into Birmingham’s ­criminal underworld.

After Monday night’s debut episode, many viewers were left stunned to see Parminder on their screens again.

Alongside an array of confused faced emojis, one person penned: “Watching Parminder Nagra and am struggling to comprehend that it’s been 20 years since Bend it Like Beckham.”

Parminder now plays a Detective investigating a murder that draws her into a criminal underworld. Picture: ITV

Echoing their comments, someone else said: “Twenty years have passed since Bend It Like Beckham and I can’t believe we’ve seen very little of Parminder Nagra on British TV in that time.”

While a third remarked: “Great to see Bend It Like Beckham’s Parminder Nagra in DI Ray. Have always thought she’s a brilliant actor.”

Aussie fans can watch Nagra in DI Ray by streaming via SBS on Demand, or watch episodes on SBS every Thursday 8.30pm AEST.