Daily Inspiration: Meet Gracie Brooke

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gracie Brooke

Hi Gracie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I don’t quite know how I got here, to be honest. It’s been a long old journey already, and I’m still only just getting started. But, a few years ago I was depressed, stuck and receiving constant rejection in my hometown – London, UK. Although, it definitely wasn’t always that way. There was a time when life flowed with so much ease and opportunities were aplenty. I graduated from a 1 year Foundation Acting course in 2014, my acting teacher recommended me to a London talent agency, I did an audition and quickly signed with them. The next couple of years were full of fantastic experiences, like performing in a musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, at the famous Pleasance Dome, being cast as a lead in my first feature film and doing my own death stunt in a TV episode of Grantchester, season 2. Life felt full of excitement and I felt full of hope, but of course, life comes in swings and roundabouts! Things unfortunately did change for the worse in 2016. I caught a virus, that lead to four very restrained years of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, spending most of my time in bed. I had to give up acting, my agent eventually dropped me, and life went dull. In 2020, I felt well enough to pick up the pieces, but Covid happened. Another one bites the dust! And 2 years later, I was finally able to sort my life out. Somehow, I ended up here in sunny LA, to do a degree in acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. I’ve since graduated, and am putting my graft on, baby!!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not smooth, very jagged. Maybe even mountainous. I’ve cried, raged, stared at the wall, prayed, wondered, pushed and fallen. Only to do it all again. But there there has been progress and there is still forward movement. I do still question why, after such lovely start to my acting career back in 2014, I then had such a fall from Grace (pun intended – my actual name is Grace). No one can help getting suddenly very ill, but sometimes I think it was just such a shame. Some of my peers went on to create extremely fulfilling careers (Nicholas Galitzine, Lucy Boynton and Ella Balinska were all at Edinburgh Fringe with me), and it has been difficult to process. But then again, I learned so much about my body, my mind, my strength, my ability to adapt and more, because of the sheer struggle that my 20s proved to be. I now have a tonne of ideas, I’m braver and wiser, and I take absolutely no nonsense! Bring it on LA. Also – sidenote – I am always, always willing to collaborate with people who want to create, explore and make mutual headway. Feel free to email me, anyone who reads this.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an actor through and through, and aspiring story teller – but yet to find a writing partner!!
My notable work, so far, is playing Abigail Redmond in ITV’S
“Grantchester” Series 2, Nancy/Pauline/Rexy in Amazon Audiobook “Avenger Field” and Susie in “Save the Pier”, directed by the very cool Paul Sand.
I’ve recently done some really interesting and well written shorts – “About Face” by the talented comedic writer Ryan Patrick Jones will be released soon, and stylised indie film “Dry” by Antonio San Lorenzo has just been released.

Nothing sets me apart form others – we’re all fantastic – but I am certainly coming into my own, and plan to bring all that I’ve learned into my future. The right people will appreciate what I have to give and I believe in what I have to offer.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am such a shy girl underneath the go-getter that I’ve become. Every social interaction comes with some sort of discomfort, and it does get better with practice – but goodness me, I’m not sure I’ll ever be at ease too many eyes and ears on me. That might be a strange confession for some, but acting is actually incredibly private – being yourself, is not! But, I feel I have something to give this industry, and always relish a challenge. Anything that gets you out of your comfort zone, is priceless. I’m also highly aware of how other people might be feeling, which can be a blessing and a curse, but I do love being able to make other people feel comfortable. Treat others how you would want to be treated, is one hundred percent my motto. Don’t get it right every time, but that’s the general aim.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/2294650-6384089
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracie.brooke_gb?igsh=OG1yamkzZmphMGw3&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7304474/

Image Credits
Kim Hardy