Meet Anna Friel’s lookalike daughter Gracie as the 19-year-old chooses to pursue music rather than following in her parents’ acting footsteps

It’s not uncommon for celebrity children to follow in their footsteps of their famous parents. 

However Anna Friel’s daughter Gracie seems set on pursuing a career in music rather than acting, despite both her parents being in the TV and film industry. 

Gracie, 19, who Anna shares with actor David Thewlis, has previously revealed she has no desire to go into acting but is a talented singer. 

Taking to Instagram, Gracie regularly shares snaps of her music endeavours, with her most recent clip seeing her singing her own song while playing the guitar. 

Back in 2023, Gracie spoke of her musical ambitions, saying: ‘I write a lot of songs with the guitar and I’m getting better the older I get.’ 

And it looks as though Gracie has all the gear as she also shared a snap of her speakers and recording equipment and continues to write her own music. 

Meet Anna Friel’s lookalike daughter Gracie as the 19-year-old chooses to pursue music rather than following in her parents’ acting footsteps

Gracie, 19, who Anna shares with actor David Thewlis, has previously revealed she has no desire to go into acting but is a talented singer, sharing clips of her songs on Instagram 

Anna, 48, who first rose to fame for her role as Beth Jordache in Channel 4 soap Brookside, made it clear in the past Gracie was less likely to follow in her footsteps. 

Speaking to The Mail back in 2020, Anna confirmed Gracie doesn’t want to be an actor: ‘She doesn’t. Her dad’s such a fine actor, she’s grown up on so many sets, she loves the creative world but she’s more into her music. 

‘Playing guitar is her escape. She says: “It’s your job and you get paid for it. I’ve got great parents.” She’s very good at having a positive attitude.’ 

Anna often posts her lookalike daughter online and in touching birthday tribute for Gracie’s 19th she penned: ‘Welcome to 19 my angel girl.. 

‘I am so blessed and grateful to share today with you. I love you more than anything in the whole wide world and I wish the whole wide world for you. Happy happy happy birthday beautiful, brave , Gracie. I love you, mama.’

Anna married Harry Potter star David in 2001, however the pair separated in 2010. 

She was also married Notting Hill star Rhys Ifans in 2011 but the couple went their separate ways in 2014. 

Speaking in 2020 she said: ‘It has basically been the two of us since Gracie was five, so we’re a little unit. During the third year of her life, she went to ten countries. Everywhere I go, I take her.’

Back in 2023, Gracie spoke of her musical ambitions, saying: ‘I write a lot of songs with the guitar and I’m getting better the older I get’

And it looks as though Gracie has all the gear as she also shared a snap of her speakers and recording equipment as she continues to write her own music

Anna shares Gracie with Harry Potter star David Thewlis. The pair married in 2001 before calling it quits on their relationship in 2010 

The mother and daughter have been all over the world making movies and TV and working for charity, but the teenager called time on their adventures during the pandemic due to her school studies. 

‘Gracie said: “That’s our last year of travelling.” She’s doing an international baccalaureate and she just can’t be moving schools. It means that when I go away, I’ll be without her.’

Gracie isn’t the only teenager set to make a name for herself in the arts, with the daughters of fellow British TV stars also entering the industry. 

Amanda Holden’s daughter Lexi Hughes, 18, has already made a foray into fashion and is no stranger to joining her mother on the red carpet.

The teenager took to the catwalk as she ventured into modelling back in September, commanding attention in a cream strapless number.

Meanwhile, Tess Daly’s daughter Phoebe has frequently been spotted at glamorous events with her famous parents in recent months, and Kate Garraway and the late Derek Draper’s daughter Darcey joined her mum on-stage at the NTAs that same month.