Strike: The Ink Black Heart is set to hit our screens, but who is Tom Burke, the actor leading the charge as Cormoran Strike?
The latest instalment of JK Rowling’s acclaimed crime series Strike is being adapted for television, following two years after the fifth book, Troubled Blood, was turned into a series.
As Strike gears up for its sixth series, fans are eager to delve into the life of Tom Burke, the man portraying the eponymous detective Cormoran Strike.
Famous family
Tom Burke was born in June 1981 in London and raised in Kent by his actor parents Anna Calder-Marshall and David Burke.
Calder-Marshall has graced the screen in productions such as Bodies, Harlots, Last Christmas, Grantchester, and This Is England. Meanwhile, Tom’s father is renowned for playing Dr Watson alongside Jeremy Brett in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Now 43, Burke had the unique opportunity to act alongside his mother in the fifth season of Strike, where she portrayed Janice Beattie.
Speaking to The Guardian, he expressed his admiration: “She’s fantastic in it. The first scene we had was also with Carol MacReady, who’s a wonderful actor.
“Her and my mum go way back and it was a joy to be in a scene with both of them.”
Surgery
Burke’s journey to success wasn’t without its challenges; born with a cleft lip, he underwent reconstructive surgery as a child, leaving him with a scar on his lip.
Despite a flourishing career, this feature has sometimes caused him to question his chances for certain roles.
He once confided to The Independent about nearly landing a role in an “iconic period drama” but ultimately not securing the part.
“I very nearly got cast but I got told I didn’t have the right face for that channel. And I didn’t know if it was my cleft lip, or what it was.”
As a child, he was diagnosed with dyslexia, which made his academic journey challenging and led to him leaving school before completing his A-levels.
Despite this, Burke pursued his passion for acting, first attending dance school and then gaining acceptance into the prestigious RADA (Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art) at the age of 18.
His breakthrough came in 2000 with his first onscreen role in Dragonheart: A New Beginning, followed by appearances in The Libertine, I Want Candy, Donkey Punch, and Only God Forgives, among others.
Influential godparents
Not only did Burke draw inspiration from his actor parents, but his godparents also played a significant role in his life.
They were none other than Bridget Turner, famed for her role in Pride and Prejudice, and Alan Rickman, best known as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series.
Rickman, who passed away due to pancreatic cancer in 2015, had an illustrious career including roles in Love Actually, Sense And Sensibility, and Die Hard.
Discussing his godparents with The Guardian, Burke said: “They were like family really.
“When Alan died, Juliet Stevenson got it right when she said we’ve lost a king. You did sometimes feel like you were at Alan’s court.
“He had a sense of mission about him and was invested in so many people.
“Even if you only met him once, he could become a momentary huge influence in your life.
“He had a way of asking very penetrating questions, often without necessarily meaning to. People would walk away and make quite big life decisions.”
What’s next
After his stint on Strike, Tom Burke enthusiasts have much to look forward to with several projects lined up.
As per his IMDb page, the actor known for his role in Strike is set to feature in ‘The Winter Of The Crow’ and ‘Black Bag’, sharing the screen with stars like Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett.
Additionally, he’s gearing up for an appearance in the eagerly anticipated TV series ‘Blade Runner 2099’, which is currently under production.
Strike: The Ink Black Heart premieres on Monday, December 16, at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.