Beckham star nets major TV role

Parrminder Nagra, the star of the hit film Bend It Like Beckham, is breaking into American television at the top, joining the cast of the long-running series ER, playing a medical student.

Parminder, 27, a British-born actress of Indian descent, landed the deal after flying to Los Angeles for a series of meetings following the success in the US of Bend It Like Beckham.

She will appear in every ER episode for next season, sources tell the Hollywood Reporter.

The high-visibility role is expected to lead to more big screen offers for the actress, who recently finished filming the upcoming Miramax feature Ella Enchanted.