Samuel has worked extensively across screen, stage, radio, audio and video games. He is best known for playing the title role in Netflix/BBCAmerica’s ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’. In 2022 he starred as Ryan Edwards in BBC One's crime drama ‘Four Lives’, based on the true story of the Barking murders, alongside Stephen Marchant and Sheridan Smith.
Also in 2022 he starred in 'Straight Line Crazy' opposite Ralph Fiennes, at the Bridge Theatre, London, in a new play by David Hare, directed by Nicholas Hytner.
Later that year he made his Edinburgh Festival debut starring in the stripped back one-man play 'Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen', in a part that was written specifically for him. The dark comedy-drama was presented in the form of a stand-up gig and revolved around a permanently single, professionally neurotic stand-up comedian and his potential Mr Right. The play was critically acclaimed at the Festival and received a number of 5 star reviews and notable awards including a coveted 'Edinburgh Award' from The Stage and a prestigious 'Fringe First' Award from The Scotsman. Amongst his many 5 star reviews his performance was described as “mesmerising, flawless” (StageWire), “supremely talented” (The Skinny) and “the next Fleabag” (The Telegraph). The play went on to win the Solo Performance in a Play Award at the 2024 Offies (Off West End Theatre Awards) and also had a sell-out run at London's Bush Theatre.
He also starred as Renfield in Showtime’s ‘Penny Dreadful’ (available on Now TV). Other notable credits include roles in the BBC comedy ‘Twenty Twelve’, Sky's Urban Myths - Les Dawson’s Parisienne Adventure’ and 2015 feature film ‘The Lady in the Van’.
He has a string of award nominations for his work on stage, most notably a Tony Award nomination for his stage performance in ‘The History Boys', playing the role of 'Posner' which he also reprised in the screen version. This performance also earned him nominations for an Olivier award and a BIFA, as well as winning a Drama Desk Award and two WhatsOnStage awards (for Best Supporting Actor and Best Newcomer). His role as Viola in 'Twelfth Night' on Broadway in 2013-2014 earned him a second Tony Award nomination for Best Actor. In 2024 he starred as the lead in 'Ben and Imo' at Stratford-upon-Avon's Swan Theatre, playing musical genius Benjamin Britten, one of the 20th Century's greatest composers.
He has voiced a number of video games including ‘Cyberpunk 2077’, ‘Amnesia: Rebirth’ and ‘Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition’.
Sam's native accent is light Yorkshire which he can strengthen or neutralise on request. He is best known as having a neutral/RP accent from his role as Dirk Gently. He is well practiced in standard American & has used it for 'John Adams’ (HBO), ‘Alexander Hamilton’ (PBS) and ‘Jupiter Ascending’ (the Wachowskis for Warner Bros).
Age Range
Accents
Styles
Comedy, Characterful, Natural Reads, Regional, Energetic, Home Studio, Audiobook Experience, Legals, Warm, Animated Characters, Dry
Credits
Ben and Imo (Theatre, 2024) – 'Benjamin Britten', Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen (Edinburgh Festival 2022 & Bush Theatre 2023) (Theatre, 2022-2023) – 'Comedian', Edinburgh Festival & Bush Theatre
Straight Line Crazy (Theatre, 2022) – 'Ariel Porter', Bridge Theatre, London
Four Lives (TV, 2022) – 'Ryan Edwards', BBC
The Prince (Animation, 2020) – 'Douglas/Sebastian', HBO
Urban Myths - Les Dawson's Parisienne Adventure (TV, 2020) – 'Brian', Sky Arts
Allelujah (The Bridge Theatre, 2018) (Theatre, 2018) – 'Colin', Bridge Theatre
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (TV, 2016-2017) – 'Dirk Gently', BBC America/Netflix
Penny Dreadful (TV, 2014-2016) – 'Renfield', Showtime/Sky Atlantic, Season 3
The Lady in the Van (Film, 2015) – 'Donald', BBC Films/Tristar Pictures
Not Safe for Work (TV, 2015) – 'Nathaniel Pierce', Clerkenwell Films/Channel 4
Twelfth Night (Broadway, 2014) (Theatre, 2013-2014) – 'Viola, Belasco Theatre Broadway, directed by Tim Carroll
Twelfth Night (Shakespeare's Globe & the Apollo Theatre, 2012-2013) (Theatre, 2012-2013) – 'Sebastian', Shakespeare's Globe & Apollo Theatre, West End
Twenty Twelve (TV, 2012) – 'Daniel Stroud', BBC, Series 2
The History Boys (film) (Film, 2006) – 'Posner', BBC Films
The History Boys (play) (Theatre, 2004-2006) – 'Posner', Royal National Theatre, International Tour and Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway
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