Strike: The Ink Black Heart is set to premiere soon but what do we know about the life of actress Holliday Grainger?
Following the success of Strike: Trouble Blood two years ago, another instalment from JK Rowling’s popular crime novel series is being adapted for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
In this new chapter, Cormoran Strike (portrayed by Tom Burke) and Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger) are assigned to investigate the death of a co-creator of a well-known cartoon who was targeted by an enigmatic online figure.
So, as we anticipate the return of the show, let’s delve into the life of Holliday Grainger, the actress behind Robin.
Early Life
Born in March 1988 in Didsbury, Manchester, Holliday was brought up by her graphic designer mother Jan after her parents separated.
Reports suggest that they didn’t have much money during her childhood, but Grainger’s mother worked tirelessly to enable her daughter to engage in activities such as piano lessons, ballet, and martial arts.
The now 36 year old actress made her entry into the entertainment industry at the tender age of six, securing a role in the comedy-drama All Quiet On The Preston Front.
For many years, acting was merely a hobby for her. However, when she was offered a part on BBC’s Waterloo Road, Grainger decided to leave Leeds University to pursue acting as a full-time career.
Anxiety
The star of The Capture tends to keep her personal life private but has previously opened up about dealing with anxiety.
She also shared her thoughts on the idea that life “gets harder” the older you are.
The actress opened up on The Road Less Travelled podcast, saying, “I never suffered from any kind of anxiety but then I feel like this is, the more I talk to people my age, the more like, oh god, you know, things just get harder, don’t they?”
Me Too
While Grainger has not been vocal about her experiences of sexual harassment within the entertainment industry, she has alluded to encounters with such inappropriate behaviour.
She has faced queries to voice her opinions on the controversy surrounding JK Rowling’s remarks labelled as “transphobic” but has chosen to keep her thoughts on that and other sensitive issues to herself.
Grainger shared with The Independent: “People always ask me to comment on the JK Rowling thing, but I’ve never once been asked a question about people who I was really scared to be asked about [high profile sexual harassment].
“I really respected everyone that came forward with their own experiences because it wouldn’t have had an impact had not everyone done that. But I’m too p***y f*****g chickens*** to do it.”
Famous partner
Grainger is in a relationship with fellow actor Harry Treadway, known for roles in Mr Mercedes, The Crown, Star Trek: Picard, and The Chemistry Of Death, among others. He gained notable recognition for his portrayal of Dr Victor Frankenstein on the series Penny Dreadful.
Harry is also the identical twin of Luke Treadway, who shot to fame with his performance in A Street Cat Named Bob.
While it remains unclear when or how Grainger and Treadway first crossed paths, it has been reported that the couple became parents to twins in 2021.
Strike: The Ink Black Heart premieres on Monday, December 16, at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.