Strike - The Ink Black Heart: First look at TV series, as well as plot, cast and start date
By Helen Fear | Fri Nov 08 2024BBC One has released the first pictures from the set of Strike - The Ink Black Heart ahead of its release later this year. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming series, including its plot, cast, and start date.
Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger will be returning to our screens in the upcoming series of Strike, based on the novels by J.K. Rowling (written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith). It will be the sixth series adapted from the popular novels.
This time, the series will focus on The Ink Black Heart. Here's everything we know so far about the series...
What is the plot of The Ink Black Heart TV series?
Strike - The Ink Black Heart is based on the book of the same name. The series begins shortly after Troubled Blood ends.
The mystery follows private detective Cormoran Strike and his business partner Robin Ellacott who are drawn into a complex case involving a murdered cartoon co-creator.
The BBC synopsis begins by saying: "When frantic, desperate Edie Ledwell appears in the office begging to speak to her, private detective Robin Ellacott doesn't know quite what to make of the situation.
"The co-creator of a popular cartoon, The Ink Black Heart, Edie is being persecuted by a mysterious online figure who goes by the pseudonym of Anomie. Edie is desperate to uncover Anomie's true identity."
When Edie subsequently turns up murdered in Highgate Cemetery, the location of The Ink Black Heart, Robin and Cormoran Strike become drawn into the quest to uncover Anomie's true identity...
How many episodes is it?
The sixth story of the BBC's hit crime drama will be four episodes long. Each episode will be one hour long.
Previous series have varied in episodes, with The Cuckoo's Calling being three episodes, while The Silkworm and Career of Evil were just two.
How many Strike novels has J.K. Rowling written as Robert Galbraith?
J.K. Rowling has written seven best-selling Strike crime novels written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
The most recent is The Running Grave, which was published in September 2023.
In order, they are:
The Cuckoo's Calling.
The Silkworm.
Career of Evil.
Lethal White.
Troubled Blood.
The Ink Black Heart.
The Running Grave.
All have been adapted into TV series by BBC One, except for The Running Grave. Series 1 to 5 are currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Who is in the cast of Strike - The Ink Black Heart?
Holliday Grainger returns as private investigator Robin Ellacott. Before Strike, she was probably best known for playing DI Rachel Carey in The Capture, Lucrezia Borgia in The Borgias, and Megan Boothe in Where the Heart Is.
Tom Burke plays former soldier Cormoran Strike. The actor is also known for playing Dennis Rebrov in The Lazarus Project, Athos in The Musketeers, and Fedya Dolokhov in War & Peace.
Unforgotten's Ruth Sheen returns as Pat, Strike's office manager, alongside fellow returning cast member Jack Greenlees (Payback) as Sam Barclay.
Meanwhile, Natasha O'Keeffe (Peaky Blinders) reprises her role as Charlotte, and Caitlin Innes Edwards (Hanna) stars as Isla.
This time, Bodyguard actor David Westhead has joined the cast, alongside Rivals' Christian McKay, and Industry's James Nelson-Joyce. Sanditon actress Emma Fielding, and Corrie's Tupele Dorgu will also appear.
Former EastEnders legend Sue Tully returns to direct Strike – The Ink Black Heart. It's her third time working on the series. Vigil writer Tom Edge adapted the novel for TV.
Strike - The Ink Black Heart release date
Strike returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC One this December. The new season will begin with episode 1 airing on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 9pm on BBC One. This will be followed by episode 2 on Tuesday, December 17, also at 9pm.
Episodes 3 and 4 will release the following week, Monday, December 23, at 9pm, and Christmas Eve, at 9pm.
All previous series are currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The previous series, all based on the novels, are The Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm, Career of Evil, Lethal White, and Troubled Blood.
