Shooting for The Ink Black Heart, the sixth series of Strike, commenced on Monday 12th February and wrapped on Friday 26th April 2024.

Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger will once again star as Strike and Robin. But what do we know about the rest of the cast?

The BBC confirmed in their press release that Ruth Sheen is returning as Pat Chauncey, the agency’s office manager; Jack Greenlees as subcontractor Sam Barclay; Natasha O’Keeffe as Charlotte Campbell-Ross; and Caitlin Innes Edwards as Ilsa Herbert.

The BBC also released the names of five actors who are new to the cast this season; however, they did not confirm which roles those actors will be playing.

David Westhead

David Westhead (IMDb) has starred in many British television shows and films including Bodyguard, W1A, Endeavour, Silent Witness and Mrs Brown. The production has not officially said which role he will be playing, but his CV has been updated to confirm he is cast as Grant Ledwell. (Source)

Christian McKay

Christian McKay (IMDb) is a theatre, film and television actor, as well as a classical musician. He has appeared in many films, including Me and Orson Welles for which he was nominated for a BAFTA, Florence Foster Jenkins and The Theory of Everything. His television credits include Dangerous Liaisons and Grantchester.

Although we have no official confirmation of his part, fans are speculating that he will be playing Inigo Upcott. 

Emma Fielding

Emma Fielding (IMDb) is a critically acclaimed theatre actress who has worked at the RSC and the National Theatre. She has since gone on to star in many television series, including Cranford, Van der Valk and Sanditon.  

Although the original press release did not include the name of her character, her CV has been updated to confirm that she will take the part of Katya Upcott. 

Tupele Dorgu

Tupele Dorgu (IMDb) is best known for her six-year run as Kelly Crabtree on long-running British soap opera Coronation Street. She has since gone on to appear in many other TV shows, including The Full Monty, Hollyoaks and Casualty.

Fan speculation was that due to her northern roots, she may be playing the part of new agency subcontractor Midge Greenstreet, and this was confirmed when her CV was later updated.

James Nelson-Joyce

James Nelson-Joyce (IMDb) is an actor who has appeared in several films, including The Covenant and The Nest. His television shows include A Town Called Malice, The Family Pile and The Gold.

The fact he was born in Liverpool, combined with his curly dark hair, has led to fan speculation that he is playing the part of Preston ‘Pez’ Pierce.

We have the names of two more cast members who were spotted filming on Denmark Street in late March.

Stephen Hagan

Stephen Hagan (IMDb) has been cast as Murphy (source). 

Whilst chatting to fans he confirmed that his character’s name has been changed from Ryan Murphy to Richard Murphy. Stephen’s previous acting credits include You, Lucky Man and Midsomer Murders. 

Mirren Mack

Mirren Mack (IMDb) is playing Edie Ledwell (source).

Mirren has had roles in Sex Education, The Doll Factory and Mary & George.

Jacob Abraham

Jacob, a recent graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, is playing Josh Blay.  He was spotted filming scenes at Highgate Cemetery in March (see here).

Our friends at The Strike and Ellacott Files podcast, with the help of their listener Lucy, have identified a few more cast members.

Kitty Reed

Kitty Reed (IMDb), a recent graduate of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, has been cast as Yasmin Weatherhead. (Source)

Ewan Bailey

Ewan Bailey (IMDb) has been cast as Nils de Jong. He is best known for his roles in Casualty and Doctors, and he has also worked extensively as a voice artist. (Source)

Eloise Thomas 

Eloise Thomas (IMDb), best known for her roles in True Detective and The Bay, is playing Lia. Lia is the name of a minor character in The Ink Black Heart, but the part could also be a more major one that has undergone a name change for the TV adaptation. (Source)

Jonny Magnanti 

Jonny Magnanti (IMDb) is ‘Dad’. As the part is effectively unnamed, it will probably only be a small part, confirmed by a mention on his website that he will be filming ‘an episode’ of The Ink Black Heart. (Source) 

Magnanti has appeared in The Musketeers, Doctors and North and South, as well as many other productions.

Dan Cade

Dan Cade (IMDb) has appeared in many television shows, including True Detective, Carnival Row and Miss Scarlet and The Duke. His CV states that he will be playing ‘Carrisford’, a character which does not appear in the book.  (Source)  

Ellie-May Sheridan

Ellie May Sheridan (IMDb) has been cast in the role of Rachel Ledwell. Currently on stage at the National Theatre in London Tide, Ellie-May has also starred in the BBC’s family drama Dodger, and has appeared in Call the Midwife and Casualty. (Source)

Lisa Sadovy

Lisa Sadovy (IMDb) is playing Mariam Torosyan, North Grove art teacher and partner of Nils de Jong (source).  Her previous roles include parts in Outlander and Vera.

Luke Norris

The part of Phillip Ormond, Edie’s partner, will be played by Luke Norris (IMDb) (source).  Luke has many theatre credits to his name, but will be familiar to many viewers from his appearance as Dwight Enys in the BBC drama Poldark.

Pip Carter

Pip Carter (IMDb) has been cast as Charlotte’s husband, Jago Ross (source).  Pip has appeared in many stage and screen productions, including The Crown and the James Bond film Spectre.

Chelsea Fitzgerald

Grant Ledwell’s wife, Heather, will be played by Chelsea Fitzgerald (IMDb) (source).  Chelsea has appeared in TV shows including Call the Midwife and Sister Boniface Mysteries, and films including Made in Italy.

Madeleine Akua

Madeleine Akua (IMDb) has been cast as Legs (source).

Ben Caplan

Ben Caplan (IMDb) will be playing the part of Edie’s agent, Allan Yeoman (source).  Ben has previously appeared in Small Axe, Midsomer Murders, Silent Witness and Casualty.

Matt Rawle

Matt Rawle (IMDb), who has previously appeared in Doctors, Holby City and Father Brown, is playing the part of Groomer (source).

Hannah Zoe Ankrah

Hannah Zoe Ankrah has been cast as Darcy Bernard (source).

Tienne Simon

Tienne Simon will be playing the part of Marcus (source).

Lucy Montgomery

Lucy has been cast as Sara Niven, Kea Niven’s mother (source).

Grace Coulson-Harris

Grace Coulson-Harris will be playing the part of Nicole Crystal (source).

Kevin Bishop

Actor and comedian Kevin Bishop (IMDb) has been cast as Wally Cardew (source).  Kevin has had a long career in film and TV; early appearances include Grange Hill and Muppet Treasure Island; more recently he has appeared in his own show, The Kevin Bishop Show, Inside No.9 and Beyond Paradise.

Jack Donoghue

The part of Gus Upcott has gone to Jack Donoghue (source).  Jack has had roles in TV shows including Andor and Grantchester, and in films such as This is Christmas and The Shepherd (IMDb).

We will be updating this page with any new information we receive about the casting, so do keep checking back!

The Ink Black Heart is based on the novel of the same name by Robert Galbraith. It is produced by Bronte Film & TV Ltd in co-production with the BBC, HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery. Executive producers are Ruth Kenley-Letts and J.K. Rowling. Producer is Alex Rendell and Director is Sue Tully.