Tom Burke plays war veteran turned private detective

The Musketeers actor Tom Burke (War And Peace) has been cast in the lead role of Cormoran Strike, in BBC One’s major new adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s bestselling Strike Series of crime novels, written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

Made by Brontë Film & TV, the Strike Series: The Cuckoo’s Calling (3×60 minutes), The Silkworm (2×60 minutes) and Career Of Evil (2×60 minutes) will be produced as three separate event dramas, which sees Burke play Strike, a war veteran turned private detective operating out of a tiny office in London’s Denmark Street. Though he’s wounded both physically and psychologically, Strike’s unique insight and his background as an SIB Investigator prove crucial in solving three complex cases which have eluded the police.

Tom Burke, said: “I’m overjoyed to be immersing myself in the role of Cormoran Strike, who is as complex as he is larger than life. I know I’m joining an extraordinary team of people on a series that for me is peppered with moments of real emotional depth and meticulously grounded in the page-turning momentum of these novels. Cormoran’s world is rich and raw.”

J. K. Rowling (who will also executive produce), said: “I’m thrilled about the casting of Tom Burke, a massively talented actor who’ll bring the character to perfect life. Cormoran Strike is pure joy to write and I can’t wait to see Tom play him.”

Executive Producer Ruth Kenley-Letts, said: “Tom Burke has all the talent, depth and versatility needed to take on the mantle of Cormoran Strike. He’ll bring his own particular wisdom, charisma and emotional complexity to the part. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with him.”

Writers will be Ben Richards (The Tunnel: Sabotage) for The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm, and Tom Edge (The Last Dragon Slayer) who will write Career of Evil. Michael Keillor (Line Of Duty) will direct The Cuckoo’s Calling.

The Strike Series is set to begin shooting this autumn in London.