Parminder Nagra

Parminder Nagra (born 5 October 1975 in Leicester, England, U.K.) is a British actress best known for her starring roles in the British film Bend it Like Beckham and the American television show ER.

Biography

Parminder Kaur Nagra was born in Leicester, England, the first of four children (two boys, two girls) born to Sikh parents Sucha and Nashuter Nagra, both Indian immigrants. After moving to London in 1994, she landed the title role in a theatrical production of Sleeping Beauty. She later earned roles in various British television series, including Goodness Gracious Me, Turning World, Holby City, Always and Everyone and Casualty, as well as the television movie King Girl. She landed her breakthrough role in 2002 when she was cast to star opposite Keira Knightley in the soccer film Bend it Like Beckham. That film's international acclaim and commercial success led to the producers of ER casting her as Dr. Neela Rasgotra, a role she portrayed for four years (2003-2007). She also landed roles in such feature films as Twelfth Night, or What You Will (2003), Second Generation (2003), Ella Enchanted (2004), In Your Dreams (2006) and Marathon (2007). She is also to appear in the upcoming film Fallen Hero, set for release in 2008.