The Capture star Holliday Grainger talks Strike, deepfakes and Northern representation

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I’ve been a fan of Holliday Grainger for a long time – honestly, she’s been captivating audiences since she was a little kid, popping up in shows like ‘All Quiet on the Preston Front’ back in ’94! Now, at 37, she’s really hitting her stride playing these incredibly cool, collected detectives. You might know her as Robin Ellacott in ‘Strike,’ and we’ll be seeing more of her in season 7 soon. But right now, she’s killing it as Rachel Carey in ‘The Capture’ on BBC One. This season dives into some seriously unsettling territory – think deepfakes and the kind of cover-ups institutions really don’t want you to know about. She plays this enigmatic surveillance boss perfectly, and it’s a really gripping watch.

What was the hardest part about filming this third series?

Honestly, the most challenging part was the sheer amount of technical language I had to learn. It needs to seem effortless when you’re performing, or you’re not doing it right. I much prefer doing stunt scenes – they don’t require nearly as much preparation. I really enjoyed all the action sequences this season, though.

I love how Rachel doesn’t try to be likeable — is that important?

I agree! I also appreciate that the character isn’t burdened with a complicated past. The story focuses on what she does rather than who she is. While it’s a broad statement, women are often portrayed as wanting to make everyone happy. This character is different – she’s refreshingly direct. That makes the rare glimpses of her vulnerability even more impactful.

When the show The Capture debuted in 2019, the concept of “deepfakes” seemed far-fetched. Considering how many fake videos created with Artificial Intelligence (AI) are now online, do you think the show was surprisingly prescient?

Honestly, back then, the whole idea seemed impossible. Now, it’s not just about worrying about powerful people changing videos – it’s the everyday stuff on social media, how easily anyone can make fake things look real. If you’d told me about this in 2019, I wouldn’t have believed a word of it.

Today, how do we sort fact from fiction?

Right now, it’s hard to say for sure. It’s important to stay open-minded, because the more skeptical you are, the more likely something negative is true. Working on this new series has completely changed how I understand what’s happening in the world. We’re now forced to really think about what we see and why we’re seeing it, which is different than before. Everyone could benefit from someone like Rachel Carey and the work she does with Operation Veritas!

Have you ever been fooled by anything online?

I’ve been questioning everything lately, even the idea of truth itself – the show I’m working on has a line about that. It’s gotten to the point where when I hear about something like the Lovers’ Arch in Italy collapsing, my first reaction isn’t to believe it, but to wonder if it’s even real. I’m really struck by this idea of misinformation, and my favourite word right now is ‘slopaganda’ – it describes how AI is just repeating bad information it finds online, like someone’s poorly written Wikipedia entry. It makes you wonder what’s more frightening: deliberate propaganda, or this AI-generated mess?

Do you worry about your image being used without your consent — especially as a woman?

I’m more concerned about losing control over my image – being legally required to agree to its use in ways I don’t approve of. Once it’s out there, you can’t stop the spread of misinformation. Luckily, I don’t use social media, so I wouldn’t necessarily see it. This issue disproportionately affects women, and it’s frightening how easily this can happen now – it only takes a click. We need to be careful not to become desensitized to it just because it’s so common.

You began acting when you were just six years old. You’ve also mentioned your mom accompanied you to auditions and events as a teenager. Can you describe what that experience was like?

I’m so grateful for my mum! I wouldn’t have been able to cope without her support. I really enjoyed my time acting because she was there with me. I disliked being supervised by others, as it made me feel like a child. She helped me navigate everything. Growing up as a teenage actress in the 2000s was challenging, and having a strong support system was essential.

Growing up in Manchester, have you noticed more recognition for talented people from the North now compared to when you began your career?

Absolutely. Just as we’re hearing more stories from women, we’re also becoming more open to stories from diverse cultures, regions, and people with different abilities – it’s happening so naturally now that I barely even realize it.

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You play investigators in both The Capture and Strike. Who is most like you: Rachel or Robin?

I’d say I’m most like Robin. I tend to try and make everyone happy, so I don’t really relate to Rachel. Robin feels like a more accurate reflection of my personality.

And after solving so many TV crimes, do you think you’ve become good at reading people?

I believe I’m pretty good at reading people. After spending time observing the police during the first season of The Capture, I felt confident I could handle the job myself.

The Capture season 3 will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Sunday 8 March 2026.

Authors

Laura Craik

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2026-03-02 20:52