Meet Anna Friel’s lookalike daughter Gracie: 19-year-old plans to follow her famous parents into the showbiz industry – but you won’t find her acting

It is not unusual for children of celebrities to follow in the footsteps of their famous parents.

And Anna Friel’s daughter Gracie also seems to be planning to enter the showbiz industry, but with a twist as she pursues a career in music instead of acting, despite both her parents being in the TV and film industries.

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

Gracie regularly shares photos of her musical endeavors on Instagram, with her most recent clip seeing her singing her own song while playing the guitar.

In 2023, Gracie spoke about her musical ambitions, saying, “I write a lot of songs with guitar and I’m getting better as I get older.”

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

Gracie, 19, who shares Anna with actor David Thewlis, has previously revealed she has no desire to go into acting but is a talented singer, sharing snippets 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 that Gracie was less likely to follow in her footsteps.

Speaking to The Mail in 2020, Anna confirmed that Gracie doesn’t want to be an actor: ‘She doesn’t. Her father is such a good actor, she grew up on so many sets, she loves the creative world, but she loves her music more.

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

Anna often posts her lookalike daughter online and in a touching birthday tribute for Gracie’s 19th, she wrote: ‘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 you the whole wide world. Congratulations, happy birthday, beautiful, brave, Gracie. I love you, Mom.”

Anna married Harry Potter star David in 2001, but the couple split in 2010.

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

Speaking in 2020, she said: ‘There’s actually been 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 with me.’

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

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

Anna shares Gracie with Harry Potter star David Thewlis. The couple married in 2001 before ending their relationship in 2010

The mother and daughter have made films and TV and worked for charity all over the world, but the teen took time away from their adventures during the pandemic because of her school studies.

‘Gracie said, ‘That’s our last year of travel.’ She’s doing an International Baccalaureate and she just can’t change schools. It means that when I leave, I will be without her.”

Gracie isn’t the only teen looking to make a name for herself in the arts; the daughters of other British TV stars are also entering the industry.

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

The teen took to the catwalk when she ventured into modeling in September and turned heads in a cream strapless number.

Meanwhile, Tess Daly’s daughter Phoebe has often 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 mother on stage at the NTAs that same month.