There's nothing quite like a good police drama, especially if it goes by the name of Happy Valley and while we can't bring you news of its return (sob!), we can tell you about another brilliant series that's perfect for fans of the show. Allegiance is the new crime series coming to U&alibi that broke records when it first aired in Canada in winter last year - and we have a feeling it's going to be just as much of a hit with UK audiences.
The series is set in Surrey, British Columbia, and follows star police officer Sabrina as she begins a job on the Surrey force. Zooming in on the Sikh Punjabi community in the area and exploring ideas of identity, community and a flawed justice system, it's a police drama with a difference. “Unlike a lot of cop shows right now,” creator and writer Anar Ali told Straight magazine, “the cop is the hero always – and we didn’t want that."
She continued: "It was: ‘How do we include the voices of the people who are being policed?’ But at the same time, we’re a cop show – what is it to be like a cop right now and today? So it has been a bit of a balancing game of being critical, but at the same time, being hopeful.”
Tempted to tune in? Here's everything you need to know about Allegiance, including the cast, plot and how to watch it.
What is Allegiance about?
The drama follows police officer Sabrina Sohal (Supinder Wraich), who graduates at the top of her class and begins a new job on her local force in Surrey, British Colombia. As she fights to exonerate her politician father and serve her hometown, she comes up against the limits of the justice system. She also finds that her job is impacted by her gender and ethnicity, all while faced with the challenges of her community’s negative attitudes towards the police force.
No spoilers , but series 1 and 2 of Allegiance are a truly action-packed ride. Needless to say, things are rocky for Sabrina, given that when we meet her, her father is arrested for treason. But despite being ostracised by some of her colleagues, she becomes the star of her division. And in series two, things get even better - and a little more challenging.
In the second instalment, we see that Sabrina’s stellar work in the force has earned her a promotion to the Serious Crimes Unit of the Canadian Federal Police Corps, where she has six months to prove that she is detective material. With her new job comes a new partner, but she finds that, professionally, she’s never been so challenged. The question is: can she deal with everything thrown her way?
Who’s in the cast of Allegiance?
The main cast of Allegiance includes:
- Supinder Wraich as Sabrina Sohal
- Stephen Lobo as Ajeet Sohal
- Enrico Colantoni as Vincent Brambilla
- Adolyn H. Dar as Ishaan Sohal
- Samer Salem as Det. Zak Kalaini
Is there a trailer for Allegiance?
Yes, there is a trailer for Allegiance, and you can watch it below:
Is Allegiance any good?
When the series first aired in Canada in 2024, it was nominated for a whopping 19 awards, and won 5 at places including the Canadian Screen Awards. According to viewers, it's incredibly entertaining and it's been praised for its exploration of ethical grey areas and family conflict. Audiences also praised the depiction of South Asian Canadian culture, and the sweeping shots of natural beauty in British Columbia.The hit police drama has also just been renewed for a third series, so it must be something rather special.
How can I watch Allegiance?
While U&alibi hasn't yet shared a release date for Allegiance, we do know that both series 1 and 2 are coming to channel later this year, so you’ll be able to catch them soon. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll share it here.
What other police dramas can I watch now?
While you wait for Allegiance’s release, there are plenty more brilliant police dramas to catch up on. Firstly, if you haven't yet watched Happy Valley, you can catch up on series 1-3 on BBC iPlayer. There’s also the twisty and unpredictable drama Annika - the second series has recently landed on the BBC, too. And, if you missed, it, do watch ITV’s six-part drama Protection; it's the perfect weekend binge-watch.
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