In conversation with the stars and crew from Strike - The Cuckoo's Calling | BFI

'There's definitely pressure when you're adapting JK Rowling' - the stars and crew of the BBC adaptation of JK Rowling's first Cormoran Strike detective novel discuss the challenges of bringing a much-loved writer's work to the screen.
Star Holliday Grainger (Robin Ellacott) explains how she was cast, while co-star Tom Burke (Cormoran Strike), talks about preparing to play a detective with physical and psychological injuries from the war in Afghanistan. This major new adaptation is produced by JK Rowling’s production company Brontë Film and TV.
This event was filmed at London's BFI Southbank in August 2017 with actors Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger, director Michael Keillor, writer Ben Richards and executive producer Ruth Kenley-Letts.
Subscribe: bit.ly/subscribetotheBFI.
Watch more on the BFI Player: player.bfi.org.uk/
Follow us on Twitter: / bfi
Like us on Facebook: / britishfilminstitute
Follow us on Google+: plus.google.com/+britishfilmi...

[@johncartledge7313]

Tom burke is really good this is easily his best role but Holiday Grainger is absolutely fantastic actor what a revelation the emotion in her acting is just exquisite i was mesmerised really great i thoroughly enjoyed this series great

[@christinesharpe-qb2jm]

I found the two characters of Cormoran and Robin absolutely mesmerizing. The two have great screen presence and charisma.

[@wendajones9040]

Having read the first four books I was reluctant to watch this series as I thought I’d be disappointed. I was wrong! It is brilliant. Tom and Holliday are brilliant as well and the dialogue is … well brilliant too!

[@marthascott4588]

I loved the books so I was worried that the characters wouldn’t match my vision of Strike and Robin, but these 2 actors are brilliant!

[@kathryncainmadsen5850]

The casting is fabulous. They have wonderful chemistry and are almost exactly what I pictured. NOW I see Tom as Strike but it took a bit. Holliday was Robin from second 1.

[@tinawyatt]

LOVED all the Strike series so far. The hard work shows. Congratulations guys!!!

[@debbieann921]

Tom Burke looks perfect to me to play the part of Cormoran Strike.

[@slope-formula28]

Debbie Radz to small

[@zmatin8792]

his hair isn't 'pubey; and his nose isn't broken

[@dmarcouxbeatty374]

It is just me but I saw a young Robbie Coltrane.

[@susansurles3776]

He reminds of Oliver reed.

[@michaelagampe7685]

@@susansurles3776 Especially in the musketeers! He played the same character and role. 😻

[@barryh.4220]

The two lead characters are absolutely outstanding, and the series is top notch entertainment. Holliday Grainger has come such a long way since the days when she used to attend the high school in Manchester close to where i live.

[@johnnylikestobatman]

There are angles in the show when Tom is acting as Strike where he looks almost identical to Simon Le Bon and I was like.. yeah.. Cormoran is a rock star for sure

[@angelacheckley7711]

Love strike. Brilliant acting

[@anthonyreynolds2522]

Best drama with best actors,can't wait for next series 👍

[@marthascott4588]

Loved all the books and was worried that the characters wouldn’t fit but is brilliant, we love it!

[@rodneysadd7799]

Love the sound track, I walk beside you, by Beth Rowley. I feel it bonds you into the next episode when watching.

[@barryh.4220]

Yeah, i'm the same ..... i never tire of listening to the excellent soundtrack.

[@lornaborgdebattista7298]

I love the theme song - here's a link to my humble piano cover of it, if I may kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIPUmIyVltV2grcfeature=shared

[@kathryncainmadsen5850]

It's funny. That's my least favorite song in the show, but the soundtrack overall is excellent.

[@chijavier1869]

Waiting for the next series!!

[@billygin6721]

Anybody else who's thinking that Charlotte looks not like described in the books?

[@johncartledge7313]

Exactly right charlotte is whatshername from peaky blinders and i dont mind saying she is neither a patch on the inside or the outside of holidays charachter robin not in the same league not even in the same sport what a ver unsincere unlikeable charachter strike is far too good for her no wonder he has no designs on getting back with her he has seen who she really is and has obviously been deeply hurt by this woman i am fascinated by this series i think it is one of the best dramas on tv just now right up at the top

[@johncartledge7313]

Sorry just remembered lizzie from peaky blinders charlotte is

[@janhards8573]

Yes, nice looking but not the beautiful woman I was imagining.

[@angiehewitt1638]

Thank you -any chance of any more of the 45 minute session being posted please? 😊🙏🏻

[@haydeeesthermontemayor8958]

FANTÁSTICAS.ACTUACIONES, HISTORIAS DETECTIVESCAS ATRAPANTES, FANÁTICA DE ESTA SERIE GENIAL, Y ADMIRACIÓN POR LA GENIAL ESCRITORA, FELICITACIONES A TODOS Y ESPERAMOS MAS TEMPORADAS GENIALES, DESDE ARGENTINA.

[@timallen6025]

Pulled off an amazing piece of noir and characterisation, well done all

[@kittyatroyal1565]

Absolutely love this series,

[@AboutFaceProductsLLC]

Incredible show!

[@jackieparfitt7925]

Like the interview

[@debbieann921]

What I noticed straight away in The Cuckoo's Calling book is the use of words I have never, ever heard before, eg moribund.

[@jenniferholden9397]

Debbie Ann As nurses, we used that a lot as we weren't allowed to say a patient had died. Then came a newer bunch of Drs who had never heard the term. That's when you know you're getting old. I think it's a great descriptive word if it's always been part of your professional vocabulary.

[@kateharrison6776]

Really? Whenever I'm reading, if I come across a word I've not seen before, I look it up in the dictionary. You improve your vocabulary so much.

[@janetmaxwell222]

I would like to have heard more from Holliday Grainger but she was all but ignored.

[@barryh.4220]

Yeah, me too ..... She is actually from my area, and she has played the part of Robin superbly , I wish she would have said a bit more.

[@lindalockett3255]

Absolutely brilliant fantastic xxx

[@papermoonandtarotbyrika]

I've just seen the clips and I Love them! so nice to see it's almost the same as how I imagined it to be. Well, except for Cormoran Strike. I always thought of Mad Eye Moody😂😂😂

[@robyourtime]

I always pictured Micky Flanagan

[@nathanlatham5651]

He was only 35. I pictured Idris Elba as Luther because it fit well in my mind.

[@V.Hansen.]

Ha! Same! This guy's too handsome

[@clairejacquit1779]

Holliday reminds me of Miranda Richardson

[@johncartledge7313]

A young miranda richardson i can see that ive always like miranda though i think holiday grainger is an exceptional actor who hasnt even peaked yet i am sure she will go on to win awards and get better as an actor if thats possible she is awsome im a big fan think she is so good not to forget tom burke they both compliment each other they are a perfecr pairing cant see anyone else playing strike and robin tomburke has come into his own here this is a role he has been waiting for shows how talented he is great just great

[@ronniechilds2002]

Yes, I can see that. Good call!

[@nickmad887]

good vid

[@muniaification]

Where can I watch the rest of it?

[@toomuchinformation]

Soumi Mukherjee "Career of Evil" is being shown on the BBC later this month , 25th Feb/4th March .

[@toomuchinformation]

Soumi Mukherjee Just realised that you meant the rest of this discussion!

[@suziesilveira4176]

He is not Comoran Strike ! - the audiobooks read by Robert Glenister are incredible!

[@finncullen]

I enjoyed seeing Robert Glenister play Jasper Chiswell in "Lethal White" in the BBC version - must have been an odd experience for him not playing everyone else as well.

[@christinepeace4603]

In the book when Cormoran starts school they make a point of him Not having a Cornish accent. That annoys me in the audio reading that he is given a Cornish accent. Much rather have Tom as Cormoran. And the series has changed quite a lot of the books. Not enough room to list all the examples

[@marthascott4588]

Also Shanker is perfect although a bit late to help😄

[@lizzie4471]

He didn't have a lot of tattoos though

[@joncieelmore8056]

What’s the interviewers name?

[@nadzeyaya5909]

Why is Burke sitting with his back to Grainger?They are not quite friendly.

[@devika8425]

he is sitting besides her. Where is his back to her?

[@jswick679]

I noticed that body language as well. Interesting.

[@henrybyrd5402]

Why couldn't Strike drive a car himself? Automatics certainly don't need a left leg.

[@sarahpops162]

The most awk review. " made my life easier".

[@CalTheKiwi1]

Is it my imagination, or at 0.56 he, the screenwriter, seems awkward in that he could barely bring himself to mention JK Rowling. Hmmm…wonder why?

[@markiliff]

5 mins in and neither woman - already marginalised by the seating - has been brought into the conversation. I'm off now... #shame

[@Ph34121307]

Exactly 17sec later she start talking (also, the older one is actually the closest to the interviewer)

[@anncosten7022]

Mark, congratulations, take 10 woke points for being offended over nothing. Then grow up.

[@honeyhearts4844]

Some woman will surely have to notice your wokeness.

[@ronniechilds2002]

Melt, little snowflake...

[@kc8923]

I'm always disappointed when I hear the actors and realise they're a lot posher than the characters they play! It's a great series and the actors are really good but the whole thing is very upper middle class sadly.

[@josephgilligan9698]

I still prefer the books but Tom and Holliday nail the characters.