Anna Friel's daughter, Gracie, has launched her music career in Bristol, following in the footsteps of her mother, who is currently starring as a country singer in the new Fox drama 'Monarch'. Friel, 46, plays Nicky Roman, the daughter of Susan Sarandon's character, in the series about a fictional country music family.
Friel, who began her career singing as a child in Rochdale, has returned to music for the role. She previously formed a band called Cal with friends Clare and Louise, named after their initials. 'Monarch' marks her latest push into the American entertainment market, after earlier TV roles in 'Pushing Daisies' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'.
Friel chose to raise Gracie in the UK with actor David Thewlis, Gracie's father, rather than pursue a full-time career in Los Angeles. 'My agents would love me to go back there, but you choose a career in America and you take your child away from their father. I had to sacrifice that,' she said.
Gracie's music career launch in Bristol comes as Friel's own star continues to rise. Her co-star Ray Panthaki praised her as 'a fearless leader' with instincts 'up there with anyone I've ever worked with'. Meanwhile, 'Monarch' has received mixed reviews, with some hailing it as a 'rhinestone-studded spectacle' and others questioning its ambition.
