Strike star Holliday Grainger's life off-screen from anxiety struggles and Me Too remarks to actor boyfriend

Strike: The Ink Black Heart is set to premiere but what do we know about the life of actress Holliday Grainger?

Two years after the success of Strike: Trouble Blood, another book from JK Rowling's best-selling crime novel series is being adapted for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

In this instalment, Cormoran Strike (portrayed by Tom Burke) and Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger) are on a mission to investigate the death of a popular cartoon's co-creator, who was targeted by an enigmatic online figure.

So, before the show returns, here's everything you need to know about Robin actress Holliday Grainger.

Early life

Born in March 1988 in Didsbury, Manchester, the Strike star was brought up by her graphic designer mother Jan after her parents separated.

Reports suggest that they didn't have much money while she was growing up, but Grainger's mother worked tirelessly to enable her daughter to engage in activities such as piano lessons, ballet, and martial arts.

The 36 year old entered 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, she viewed acting as a hobby, but when she was offered a part on BBC's Waterloo Road, Grainger left Leeds University to pursue a full-time acting 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 spoke of how life "gets harder" the older you get.

Speaking on The Road Less Travelled podcast, she reflected: "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

Grainger, while not vocally discussing her personal experiences with sexual harassment within the entertainment industry, has indicated she's faced such unwelcome behaviour.

She's also been invited to voice her opinion on the controversy surrounding JK Rowling's remarks considered by some to be 'transphobic', but has largely stayed silent on the topic.

In conversation with The Independent, Grainger expressed: "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."

Love life

Regarding her personal life, Grainger is in a long-term relationship with actor Harry Treadway.

Known for his roles in Mr Mercedes, The Crown, Star Trek: Picard, and The Chemistry Of Death, he is perhaps most celebrated for playing Dr Victor Frankenstein across all seasons of Penny Dreadful.

Treadway is also recognisable as the twin brother of fellow actor Luke Treadway, notable for his lead performance in 'A Street Cat Named Bob'.

While it remains unclear when or how Grainger and Treadway first crossed paths, reports suggest that the couple welcomed twins into their family in 2021.

Strike: The Ink Black Heart premieres on Monday, December 16, at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.