If there's one series to have on your radar as we approach autumn, it's The Girlfriend. The psychological thriller debuted on Prime Video on 10 September and it's already the show everyone is talking about.
Laura's (Robin Wright) picture-perfect life starts to unravel when her son (Laurie Davidson) brings home a new girlfriend named Cherry (Olivia Cooke) and she becomes convinced that Cherry is a manipulative social climber. Is she on to something or is she just being paranoid? You decide!
The six-part series puts English actress Olivia Cooke, who you may recognise from House of the Dragon, centre fold. Here's everything you should know about her.
Who is Olivia Cooke?
Olivia Cooke is an English actress from Oldham in Greater Manchester. She started acting when she was eight at the Oldham Theatre Workshop and left school before she finished her A-levels to star in the drama series Blackout. She currently lives in London.
How old is Olivia Cooke?
Olivia is 31 years old.
What else has Olivia Cooke starred in?
Coming from a stage background, Olivia appeared in the BBC mini-series Blackout and realised she preferred the small screen. She later appeared in The Quiet Ones, The Signal and the horror film Ouija in 2014.
Since then, she's featured in films like Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golem, Thoroughbreds opposite Anya Taylor-Joy, Ready Player One and Life Itself with Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde and Samuel L. Jackson.
In 2019, she starred in the Amazon adaptation of the NY Times podcast, Modern Love and in 2022 she was cast in the hit Apple TV+ series Slow Horses as well as House of the Dragon where she plays Alicent Hightower. In 2025 she bagged the starring role in The Girlfriend.
Who does Olivia Cooke play in The Girlfriend?
Olivia plays Cherry Lane, Laura's son Danny's new girlfriend. 'I read the first three scripts initially, and then I met with Robin – I think she's formidable. I've always been a fan of hers,' she told Conde Nast Traveller. 'I think she's a brilliant actress and just has such an intense, powerful presence. I also really wanted to be directed by her – I think the direction that she gave in Ozark and House of Cards was brilliant, so it was just a bit of a no-brainer.'
Is Olivia Cooke in a relationship?
Olivia is reportedly dating her House of the Dragon co-star Ralph Davis. The pair are rumoured to have been dating since late 2024 and were spotted kissing at Wimbledon this summer.
Does Olivia Cooke have social media?
Yes, you can keep up with Olivia Cooke and the latest projects she's working on @livkatecooke on Instagram.
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across entertainment, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).