SPOTLIGHT
POLICING AND POLITICS POWER THIS HIT CBC DRAMA
Allegiance follows lead character Sabrina Sohal (Supinder Wraich) and her unit as they investigate cases across Surrey and Metro Vancouver.
Allegiance, CBC’s hit police drama uniquely shot and set in/around Surrey, BC, returns for a second season. It follows lead character Sabrina Sohal (Supinder Wraich) and her unit as they investigate cases across Surrey and Metro Vancouver.
More than your typical cop show (think Law & Order and the like), Allegiance aims to complicate mainstream police show narratives by unapologetically exploring identity and belonging, policing and politics, and finding truth within the heart of a flawed justice system. The series captivated a global audience in its debut season and sparked conversations in many communities across Canada about the topical issues it explores such as mental health, safe supply/addiction, youth crime, restorative justice, the policing of BIPOC communities etc.
Season 2 will be rooted in a powerful set of engaging and topical storylines including online gambling, tech janitors and international schools.
Sabrina Sohal continues her rapid rise within the CFPC with a new chapter in Serious Crimes. On a six-month probation, Sabrina must now test her skills in a much more dangerous environment while paired with new partner Zak Kalaini – a brash, irreverent, and street-smart cop who shares Sabrina’s desire for justice but pursues it in a different way. Whereas Sabrina leans on her intuition and empathy, Zak thrives on the adrenalin of hands-on, real-time human interaction.
The two must put their differences aside and come together as they take on cases ranging from a disgruntled employee with a vendetta, to an attempted murder at an Indian wedding, to a spree killer targeting Surrey’s most vulnerable. Over the course of the season, each case puts Sabrina’s unique skills to the test, culminating in a devastating showdown. After working so hard to achieve her goal of becoming a Serious Crimes detective, Sabrina is forced to confront the sobering realities of what it means to be a police officer.
Though grateful for Sabrina’s help to have the treason charge against him dropped, Ajeet is adamant his daughter keep quiet about her clandestine actions. Sabrina and Ishaan are not content to let the man responsible for their father’s arrest continue to wield power from the top ranks of the CFPC. Together, they try to find a way to take him down. And through Ishaan’s work at the CFPC’s Civilian Investigations Unit, he discovers a disturbing pattern in the complaint files that may help them do just that.
Sabrina’s allegiances are tested as she is forced to confront the flawed reality of the criminal justice system she swore to uphold. She must re-evaluate her role as a prominent politician’s daughter, a community member and a police officer. Throughout the season, she’s torn between powerful allegiances – to the police force, despite its flaws; to her family, despite their conflicting principles; to the community where her values are deeply rooted; and to an unexpected romance that must be kept secret.
From creator Anar Ali (Transplant), Allegiance features an ensemble cast led by Supinder Wraich, Enrico Colantoni, Stephen Lobo and Adolyn H. Dar. Samer Salem joins the second season as a series regular.
While working as a writer on Transplant, Anar Ali was inspired by the power of procedural storytelling, and this experience ignited her creative process for Allegiance. As a novelist, Anar Ali has explored stories of newcomers, but for this series, she wanted to capture the perspective of BIPOC communities who have been here for multiple generations and how it pertains to identity and allegiances. Restorative justice is based on understanding, forgiveness and healing, and it was her key inspiration. Rather than punishment and pitting one against the other, it champions both the victim and the suspect, with the understanding that we need both perspectives to achieve true justice.
There are two main reasons why Allegiance came to be. For many, there are multiple loyalties that need to be balanced, and it’s a core conflict, especially for women of colour. Fascinated by this aspect, Ali took this opportunity to explore such allegiances through the lead character of Sabrina. Additionally, with her Indian roots and as a woman, she felt connected to Sabrina’s’s journey – as someone who is privileged, but not in all ways, it was a fascinating process to examine these ideas more closely.
Streaming free on CBC Gem and broadcasting on CBC TV at 9 pm local), followed by weekly episodes.
Catch up on the first season! All episodes from the first season are available to stream for free on CBC Gem here.