8 Roles That Made Us Appreciate Sanjeev Bhaskar

(Photo: Getty Images)
Earlier this month we brought news that Sanjeev Bhaskar has been cast in Inspector Singh Investigates, a new crime drama series based on Shamini Flint's popular novels. This got us thinking about other series and movies we've enjoyed seeing this affable actor in, so here's a guide to eight of his best.
1. Goodness Gracious Me (1998-2001, 2014-2015)
Alongside Anil Gupta and Meera Syal, Bhaskar co-created this groundbreaking sketch comedy show celebrating and affectionately mocking British Asian life. Bhaskar was also a main cast member who appeared in famous bits including "Asian Top Gear" – which you can watch below – and "Going for an English," which brilliantly spoofs the attitudes of white Brits ordering Indian food.

2. The Kumars at No. 42 (2001-2006, 2014)
Bhaskar and Syal – who have been married since 2005 – re-teamed for this spoof chat show that was reported by the BBC to be a great favorite of Queen Elizabeth II. Bhaskar plays Sanjeev, a man in his late thirties whose parents have supported his dream of becoming a TV host by building a studio in their backyard. Everyone from Olivia Colman to Stephen Fry popped in for a chat during the show's original run in the early 2000s.

3. Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee (2005)
Bhaskar and Syal also starred together in this wistful BBC miniseries based on Syal's novel of the same name. She plays Sunita, a former star student who dropped out of college to marry her childhood sweetheart Akaash (Bhaskar). However, many years later and trapped in a job she finds dull, Sunita begins to wonder if she made the right decision.

4. Doctor Who (2014)
Bhaskar guest stars in the season eight finale, "Death in Heaven," an epic episode in which Missy (Michelle Gomez) resurrects the Cybermen. He plays Colonel Ahmed, a senior and well-turned-out UNIT officer whom the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) nicknames "Man Scout." Sadly, his character meets a grisly end, which is so often the Doctor Who way.

Sanjeev Bhaskar as Colonel Ahmed

(Photo: Doctor Who)
5. The Indian Doctor (2010-2013)
Bhaskar took the lead in this gentle comedy-drama series set in 1960s Wales. He plays Dr. Prem Sharma, the titular Indian doctor who is hired by the NHS to work as a GP (general practitioner) in a tiny Welsh mining village. Though it explores the culture clash between Dr. Sharma and the close-knit local community, it's a fundamentally cozy show that you can check out on Acorn TV.

6. Unforgotten (2015-)
This addicting British detective series follows London cops investigating cold cases of disappearance and murder. For the first four seasons, Bhaskar's DI Sunny Khan has worked in tandem with Nicola Walker's DCI Cassie Stuart, and they make a great team. But for the upcoming fifth season, he'll be paired with a new officer played by Being Human alum Sinéad Keenan. We can't wait to see them in action.

7. Paddington 2 (2017)
The Paddington movies are absolutely packed with Anglophenia faves, not least Ben Whishaw as the voice of the furry title character. Bhaskar appears in the second film as Dr. Jafri, a prominent member of Paddington's local community who takes an interest when he is accused of theft. In the scene below, he appears with Syal, who plays a lawyer prosecuting our beloved bear.

8. The Sandman (2022)
Netflix's hit adaptation of Neil Gaiman's cult comic book series has a fantastic ensemble cast that includes Tom Sturridge and Gwendoline Christie. Bhaskar has a prominent guest role in "Imperfect Hosts," the second episode of this year's first season. He plays Cain, a character based on the biblical figure who has a dysfunctional relationship with his brother Abel (Asim Chaudhry).

Do you have a favorite Sanjeev Bhaskar role to date?