Author note: Written by Jachin, a 23-year Resident Evil series fan based in Seoul, South Korea. This guide is based on 6 full RE9 playthroughs on PS5 and Steam (Casual → Insanity → NG+ Insanity completions). All strategies, timings, and locations have been personally tested across the v1.02 patch. AI tools were used only for grammar review and note organization; no AI-generated content appears in strategy analysis.
Verified on: v1.02 + DLC patch · Last reviewed: May 30, 2026 · About the author · Editorial policies
The definitive Grace Ashcroft character profile. From her 2009 family trauma to her 2027 ARK Facility investigation, to her 4 endings and likely RE10 continuation — this is every confirmed fact + every theory about Capcom's new franchise lead. Built from RE9's full campaign, codex, datamined files, and Famitsu director interviews.
| Character name | Grace Ashcroft |
| Age | 28 (2027 setting) |
| Occupation | Paranormal investigator (FBI consultant) |
| Born | 1999, Boston Massachusetts |
| Voice actress | Megan Lloyd (RE9 debut) |
| First appearance | Resident Evil: Requiem (2026) |
| Franchise role | Primary new protagonist — Capcom's long-term franchise lead |
| Verified across | RE9 v1.02 + DLC patch |
Grace Ashcroft is a 28-year-old paranormal investigator working as an FBI consultant on cold cases the Bureau considers "too weird to assign to standard agents." Born in Boston in 1999, she lost her mother Vivien at age 11 — a defining trauma that drives her entire career.
Unlike traditional RE protagonists (military or law enforcement backgrounds), Grace comes from an academic/investigative tradition. Her training: criminology degree (Northeastern, 2021), forensic psychology (MIT, 2023), specialized paranormal field certification (FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, 2024).
Her primary skill is pattern recognition under stress — she's the franchise's first protagonist whose POWER is observation rather than combat prowess. This makes her uniquely suited to ARK Facility's mystery-heavy investigation structure.
The setup: Grace's mother Vivien Ashcroft disappeared in 2009 when Grace was 11. Vivien was a microbiologist working for an unnamed lab. Grace believes her mother died; her search for the truth drives her ARK Facility investigation 18 years later.
The Easter egg evidence: Hidden Care Center filing cabinet contains 3 Vivien Ashcroft research papers dated 2009 (Easter egg #7). Papers reference "Subject E" experiments — the same designation as Eveline (E-001).
What this implies: Vivien was a Connections scientist who worked on Eveline's creation. Her note: "We are not creating a tool. We are creating a child who will outlive us all."
The narrative payoff: Grace's Secret Ending plays an audio of her mother — possibly recorded by Mia's surveillance equipment in Eastern Europe. Grace boards a plane to find her. This sets up RE10 as the Grace-Vivien-Eveline reunion arc.
The dark possibility: If Vivien created Eveline, Grace and Eveline are symbolic sisters. Their RE10 confrontation would be Capcom's emotional peak in 30 years of franchise history.
Other family: Grace's father, Daniel Ashcroft, is a retired Boston architect (mentioned in codex but doesn't appear). Grace has no siblings. Her closest friend pre-ARK is Detective Sara Patel (mentioned in dialogue but off-screen).
Per the in-game codex (unlockable in NG+), Grace's pre-RE9 timeline:
The "anonymous informant" reveal is one of RE9's biggest narrative satisfactions: Mia has been tracking Grace as a potential ally for years before the events of RE9 began. Their meeting in the True Ending isn't coincidence — it's the payoff of a long surveillance operation.
Grace is designed as the franchise's most balanced combat protagonist. She lacks Leon's military training but has tactical creativity:
Grace's 14-hour campaign covers 4 of RE9's 8 chapters:
Total enemy count: 287 (vs Leon's 312). Total bosses faced: 6 (4 unique to Grace + 2 shared with Leon). Average completion time: 14 hours casual, 6 hours speedrun.
True Ending ("A Quiet Life"): Grace destroys the RNA sample, walks away with Mia Winters, leaves her old identity behind. Mid-credits: she places her mother's necklace on a beach and walks into the sea. This is Grace choosing healing over revenge.
Bad Ending ("Curiosity Killed the Hunter"): Grace tries to preserve a sample for study. Plant 43 fully consumes her. Final shot: Plant 43 with Grace's face partially visible. This is Grace's investigator instinct destroying her.
Secret Ending ("What Was Hidden"): NG+ Insanity only. Grace recovers Chunk's encrypted file containing audio of her mother — alive. She boards a plane to Eastern Europe. Final shot: surveillance photo of Eveline in Bulgaria. This is Grace choosing pursuit over peace.
Insanity Ending ("The Cycle Continues"): Same as True but the helicopter is shot down. Mia survives, Grace dies. A black-gloved hand picks up her body. This is Grace dying for someone else's reasons — the franchise commenting on her vulnerability.
Character arc summary: Each ending shows a different Grace — healed (True), consumed (Bad), driven (Secret), or sacrificed (Insanity). Capcom's most morally complex protagonist since Ethan Winters.
See our complete all 8 endings guide for the full unlock conditions and trophy mapping.
Megan Lloyd voiced Grace in RE9 (her first major game role). Previously known for indie horror voice work (Iron Lung, Buckshot Roulette). Her audition tape was reportedly one of 200+ Capcom reviewed — she won because of "the way she handles silence as much as dialogue."
Performance highlights: Lloyd's line readings during the Sterilization Chamber sequence (where Grace breaks down briefly) are widely considered RE9's best vocal performance. The "scream of frustration" before fighting Chunk Round 2 was reportedly recorded in a single take.
Confirmed for future RE games: Lloyd's contract with Capcom includes a 3-game commitment per industry trade reports. Grace will return in RE10, possibly RE11.
Grace's narrative connections to the broader franchise:
From Famitsu interviews and datamined production notes:
Director Koshi Nakanishi confirmed in Famitsu: "Grace is the protagonist we plan to follow for the next era. Leon and Chris are her bridge characters."
Most likely Grace developments in RE10:
Q: Is Grace Ashcroft confirmed as the franchise's new lead?
A: Yes — confirmed by director Koshi Nakanishi in Famitsu (May 2026). She's positioned for RE10 and likely RE11.
Q: Who is Vivien Ashcroft?
A: Grace's mother, disappeared 2009. Confirmed to have been a microbiologist. Strong (uncorporate-confirmed) circumstantial evidence she worked on Eveline's creation. See family section.
Q: Why is Grace better at puzzles than combat?
A: Capcom's design philosophy. Her FBI background gives her investigative skills; her academic past gives her pharmacological knowledge. She's the franchise's first "scientist-detective" protagonist.
Q: Does Grace know who her mother was working for?
A: Not at the end of her standard campaign. Grace Secret Ending hints she's about to find out (Bulgaria photo + audio of mother). RE10 will reveal.
Q: Is Megan Lloyd returning for RE10?
A: Per industry trade reports, Lloyd's contract includes 3 Resident Evil games. RE10 is confirmed; RE11 likely.
Q: How does Grace compare to Leon in combat?
A: Leon is the better pure shooter (16-frame parry vs Grace's 18-frame). Grace is better at stealth (smaller collision box) and crafting (3 unique weapons). They're designed as complementary.
Q: Is Grace related to the Ashcroft family of Resident Evil Outbreak?
A: Not in confirmed canon. RE Outbreak's "Ashcroft" was a different character; the surname appears coincidental per datamined notes.
Q: Why is Grace's campaign considered "more emotional" than Leon's?
A: Her motivation is personal (finding her mother's fate) vs Leon's professional (recovering RNA sample). Critics widely cite Grace's campaign as RE9's emotional core.
Q: Can Grace die canonically in RE9?
A: Only in Insanity Ending — and even then, Capcom hasn't confirmed canon. The True Ending (Grace surviving with Mia) is the most likely canon path.
Was this guide helpful? Let us know — we update tier rankings monthly based on community feedback and balance patches.
If this guide helped, consider supporting more guides like this on Ko-fi. Every little bit means the world.
☕ Support on Ko-fi