Actress' Daughter Gracie Friel Carves Her Own Musical Path

On November 12, 2025, Gracie Friel, the 20-year-old daughter of actors Anna Friel and David Thewlis, took a significant step in her burgeoning music career by performing her first major live show in Bristol. Gracie, who is carving out a very different path from her famous parents, opened for rising indie star Nell Mescal, the younger sister of Normal People actor Paul Mescal, at the packed Bristol venue, The Fleece.

During her performance, Gracie delivered an emotional set that included her latest song, "Chemical Reaction," which drew cheers from the crowd. The young singer-songwriter, who has been very open about drawing inspiration for her music from her personal life, told fans that the song was "about the frustration of being with someone who only loves you the way you want when they are the furthest thing from themselves."

A source close to Gracie expressed that this was a "huge gig" for the rising star, as stepping onto the stage and opening for Nell Mescal, someone she admires, meant a great deal to her. Anna Friel and David Thewlis, Gracie's parents, are said to be incredibly proud of their daughter's hard work and dedication to making it as a singer.