Holliday Grainger to Star in “Cormoran Strike” TV Series

by · November 1, 2016

British actress Holliday Grainger has been cast as Robin Ellacott, opposite the previously announced Tom Burke, who will play Cormoran Strike, in BBC’s The Strike Series, which is based on J.K. Rowling’s bestselling crime novels under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

The series is comprised of The Cuckoo’s Calling, with three hour-long episodes; The Silkworm, with two hour-long episodes; and Career of Evil, also with two hour-long episodes. The series is set to begin filming in November across London.

Grainger, who most recently starred in BBC’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover as Lady Constance Chatterley, will play Robin, assistant to Strike, a private detective operating out of a tiny office in London’s Denmark Street. Though she begins as a temporary secretary, managing Strike’s chaotic life, she soon becomes involved with his caseload and begins to see her true potential.

Grainger’s other credits include the feature films Cinderella, Anna Karenina, and the highly anticipated Tulip Fever. Her television credits include Bonnie & Clyde and The Borgias. The actress said,

I’m thrilled to be joining the talented creative team behind ‘The Strike Series,’ especially with the role of Robin Ellacott. Her grounded strength and intelligence is going to be a joy to explore. I can’t wait to dive straight into the wit and grit of Strike’s cannily well-observed London.

Meanwhile, J.K. Rowling had this to say on the casting announcement,

I couldn’t be more delighted about the casting of Holliday Grainger, who brought my Robin to perfect onscreen life during her audition. We’ve now secured two superb actors in the lead roles, and I think they will create something very special together.

Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and Elizabeth Kilgarriff will executive produce, based on scripts by Ben Richards, who will write The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm, and Tom Edge, who will write Career of Evil. Michael Keillor will direct The Cuckoo’s Calling, and Jackie Larkin will produce.

The series marks a continuation of BBC’s relationship with Rowling’s production company, Brontë Film and TV, and Rowling herself. Brontë produced Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy, a three-part serial, which aired on BBC One and HBO in 2015.

The Strike Series is expected to air sometime next year on BBC and HBO. Are you excited about this pairing? Looking forward to seeing these characters brought to life? Let us know your thoughts!