Strike
Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger on how Strike and Robin’s macabre new case brings them closer
Sunday / BBC1
I enjoy reading the Strike stories by Robert Galbraith (the pen name of JK Rowling), so I’m looking forward to this adaptation of Career of Evil. We chat to stars Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger to find out more…
The ‘will they won’t they’ chemistry between private detective Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke) and his eager assistant, Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger), was captivating when BBC1 crime drama Strike debuted last autumn.
Now, the crime-solvers return for a new two-part case, Career of Evil, based again on one of the best-selling novels written by JK Rowling under the pen name Robert Galbraith.
Strike and Robin’s unspoken bond is strengthened when they receive a macabre parcel containing a severed leg. As they try to work out who has sent it, the case forces them both to revisit the darkest moments from their pasts.
TV Times met up with Tom, 36, and Holliday, 29, to find out more…
How do Strike and Robin react when they receive the parcel? Tom: It leads Strike to try to get closure on some of his old cases; they are like ghosts that keep him awake. The investigation also hits at a raw nerve concerning his mother’s death, which was traumatic. Now, Strike and
Robin are opening up about their pasts and are becoming protective of each other.
Holliday: Yes, the nature of the crime brings out their back-story. Something terrible happened to Robin at university and this brings back memories. It ignites her bravery and makes her want to prove herself and she takes risks that maybe she shouldn’t…
Robin is preparing for her wedding to fiancé Matthew (Kerr Logan) but is she getting closer to Strike?
Tom: Her wedding is now on the horizon, but the danger of this grim situation puts Strike and Robin in a special space together. There is something there but they are in denial and don’t feel in a hurry to do anything about it. If the show returns for another series after this one, it’d be a shame to leap ahead too quickly.
Holliday: Yes, filming that would be awkward, so hopefully that won’t happen for a while! This case brings them closer, but it’s lovely how long it’s taking for them to realise they need each other. I don’t think Robin is aware of her feelings because they’re tied in with her job and how Strike respects her work. Matthew’s her rock and they’ve been through a lot but he is too controlling. She’d be more fulfilled with Strike.
Robin and Strike travel to Cumbria in a battered Land Rover for this investigation. Was that fun?
Tom: Yes, and Holliday was brilliant at driving it, because it was a rusty old
We’ve had good vibes from JK Rowling
tom burke
banger. I wouldn’t have known what I was doing. She was doing three-point turns and all sorts! Do you get much feedback from JK Rowling?
Tom: Jo only says what we need to hear so you have to listen carefully. She is involved up to a certain point and then it’s our thing to get on with. But we’ve had good vibes from her. Holliday: The fact she has only given us specific story notes gives you confidence you must be on the right track because she’s not someone who’d hold back if she didn’t think you were right. I just can’t wait to read her next Strike book!
Are you a fan of other crime dramas?
Tom: I can watch any detective show; I love them! I’m quite good at guessing whodunit.
I sit down with a pen and paper writing down all the clues! Holliday: If I’m watching crime dramas and someone goes, ‘It’s definitely him’, I say ‘Ssh!’ because I want to believe the red herrings!
strike is PREVIEWED on PAGES 42-43