British actress Holliday Grainger has been cast as Robin Ellacott opposite Tom Burke, who plays Cormoran Strike, in the BBC’s “The Strike Series,” which is based on J.K. Rowling’s bestselling crime novels written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
The series comprises “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 shooting 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 credits include feature films “Cinderella,” “Anna Karenina,” and the much anticipated “Tulip Fever.” Her television credits include “Bonnie & Clyde” and “The Borgias.”
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“I’m thrilled to be joining the talented creative team behind ‘The Strike Series,’ especially with the role of Robin Ellacott,” Grainger said. “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.”
“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 said.
Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts and Elizabeth Kilgarriff will executive produce, based on scripts by Ben Richards (“The Tunnel: Sabotage,” “Spooks”), who will write “The Cuckoo’s Calling” and “The Silkworm,” and Tom Edge (“The Last Dragon Slayer,” “Lovesick”), who will write “Career of Evil.” Michael Keillor will direct “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” and Jackie Larkin will produce.
Charlotte Moore, director of BBC Content, and Ben Stephenson, former controller BBC Drama Commissioning, ordered the show. HBO has acquired U.S. and Canadian rights.
The series marks a continuation of the 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 in 2015.
Grainger is represented by Troika, WME and LBI Entertainment.