BBC Strike fans share same thoughts about Robin and Strike's relationship

Fans of the popular drama series Strike were all left thinking the same thing just minutes into the latest episode.

The Ink Black Heart based on the book of the same name, follows detectives Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke) and Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger) as they delve into the mysterious death of renowned cartoonist Edie Ledwell. As they navigate a complex web of online aliases, business interests, and family disputes, the tension between them is palpable.

Now in its sixth series, the "will they, won't they" dynamic between Robin and Cormoran has been a long-standing theme, with fans eagerly anticipating the pair to act on their feelings. The first episode, which aired on Monday (December 16), revisits their friendship and the possibility of a romance at a belated birthday dinner for Robin.

As the evening unfolds, Strike walks Robin to a taxi, and in a charged moment, he leans in for a kiss - only for Robin to pull away. The awkward encounter ends with Robin departing in a taxi, leaving a regretful Strike behind.

The Mirror reports how viewers watching the near-miss kiss wished for more, yet understood the reasons behind the pair's hesitation. One fan expressed frustration, saying: "Why the hell did she do that. She likes him as well and now he feels rejected. God damn it."

Meanwhile, another fan praised the undeniable chemistry between Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger, saying: "The chemistry between Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger is impeccable. So happy that #Strike is back!"

Avid viewers are raving about the on-screen translation of a much-adored book, with one viewer sharing: "It's very rare that a TV adaptation of a book I love lives up to the source material, but this one does. Yes. Yes. Yes."

Curiosity arose among fans regarding a certain scene, one musing: "Aww, loved that opening but wish they'd lingered a bit more over the *almost* kiss.."

When asked about the near-kiss, actor Tom Burke said: "The way Robin talks about it, she thinks, had she kissed Cormoran back, he would've regretted it and then would have had to address it in a very awkward way.

"I don't think Strike feels that way about it. He just thinks he's completely misread the situation, and a lot preceding it - going back years.

"It's very human, and everyone's been there - where you're never quite sure about how the other person feels and you boomerang between the extremes in guessing. It's the scariest thing on earth to make that leap of faith hoping that they feel the same way."

The first episode of Strike: The Ink Black Heart aired Monday (December 16) at 9pm on BBC One, followed by the second episode the next night at the same time (Tuesday, December 17).

The final two episodes will air in the same time slot on Monday (December 23) and Tuesday (December 24).

All episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.