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Samuel Anderson (actor)
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Samuel Anderson (born 1982)[1] is an English actor. He portrayed Crowther in the play The History Boys and its 2006 film adaptation. His other roles include Fingers in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey (2007, 2009, 2024), Ross Kirk in the television soap opera Emmerdale (2007–2009), Danny Pink in the BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who (2014), and Daniel in the Sky1 sitcom Trollied (2014–2017).
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Anderson was born in Handsworth, Birmingham, to an Irish mother and Jamaican father. From early life, Anderson made it clear that he wished to pursue acting as a career. He attended Stuart Bathurst, a Catholic secondary school.[2]
Career
[edit]Anderson attended the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London before going on to originate the role of Crowther in the 2004 National Theatre production of Alan Bennett's play The History Boys. He subsequently performed the same role in the Broadway, Sydney, Wellington, and Hong Kong productions, and radio and film versions.[3][4]
On television, Anderson has appeared in Hex for Sky One in 2004, and Totally Frank for Channel 4 from 2006 to 2007. In 2007, he appeared in the BBC Three comedy series Gavin & Stacey as recurring character Fingers. He made another appearance in the show in 2009 and in its 2024 Christmas special. He has also appeared in the BBC Four comedy film Stuck, and made various guest appearances in Doctors and Casualty on BBC One.[5]
From October 2007, Anderson appeared in the ITV1 soap opera Emmerdale as Ross Kirk. His casting in the role was announced in September 2007, with Anderson stating that it was "great" to be joining "such a successful show".[6] Emmerdale series producer Kathleen Beedles stated that Anderson was "a fantastic addition to the cast".[6] Anderson remained a series regular in Emmerdale until January 2009, with major storylines including his character having an affair with Donna Windsor-Dingle and his wrongful imprisonment for the murder of Shane Doyle.[7]
Anderson played Mr. Romantic in a Carte Noire coffee advertising campaign in 2011. He also featured in an advertising campaign for Ginsters in 2012. In February 2014, he had a small role in an episode of BBC drama series Death in Paradise. Also in February 2014, it was announced that Anderson had been cast as recurring character Danny Pink, a teacher at Coal Hill School, in the eighth series of Doctor Who,[8] appearing in 11 episodes. Between 2014 and 2017, Anderson appeared in Sky1 sitcom Trollied, playing the role of Daniel. In February 2016, he appeared in the BBC One drama series Moving On. In 2017, he starred in the comedy Loaded on Channel 4.[9][10]
He appeared as William in the Netflix science fiction series Another Life, which produced two seasons between 2019 and 2021,[11] before being cancelled in February 2022.[12]
He also appeared in Amandaland as Mal in 2025,[13] which has been renewed for a second series.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The History Boys | Crowther | |
| 2009 | Highlight | James | |
| 2012 | Betsy & Leonard | Dwayne | |
| 2015 | Pleasure Island | Nate | |
| The Lady in the Van | Jehovah's Witness | ||
| 2018 | Genesis | Robert Shorey | |
| 2021 | Gunpowder Milkshake | David | |
| Sweetheart | Steve | ||
| 2023 | Falling into Place | Lewis | |
| Embers | Joe | ||
| 2024 | Back to Black | A&R Man |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Doctors | Tim Cartwright | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | The Afternoon Play | Cashier / Receptionist | Episode: "Sons, Daughters and Lovers" |
| Hex | Julius | Episode: "Pilot: The Story Begins" | |
| 2005–2006 | Totally Frank | Jason | 6 episodes |
| 2007 | Stuck | Simon | Television film |
| 2007–2009 | Emmerdale | Ross Kirk | Series regular |
| 2007, 2009, 2024 |
Gavin & Stacey | Fingers | Recurring character |
| 2009 | Doctors | Gregg Wilcox | Episode: "A Little of What you Fancy" |
| Casualty | Liam | Episode: "Palimpsest" | |
| 2011 | Doctors | Roger Gently | Episode: "Lasso the Moon" |
| 2011–2016 | DCI Banks | DC Vince Grady | 7 episodes |
| 2012 | Bedlam | Taylor | Episode: "Dare" |
| Casualty | Kris Kingsley | 3 episodes | |
| 2013 | Midsomer Murders | Perry Stevens | Episode: "Death and the Divas" |
| The Job Lot | Craig Allen | Episode #1.1 | |
| 2014 | Death in Paradise | Swimming Model | Episode: "The Early Bird" |
| Doctor Who | Danny Pink | 11 episodes | |
| 2014–2017 | Trollied | Daniel Wilson | Series regular; 24 episodes |
| 2016 | Moving On | Danny | Episode: "Love" |
| 2016–2018 | Witless | Patrick | Main role |
| 2017 | Loaded | Leon | 8 episodes |
| 2019 | Father Brown | Alan Tylett | Episode: "The Sacrifice of Tantalus" |
| Plebs | Hermes | Episode "The Wedding" | |
| 2019–2021 | Another Life | William | Main role; 20 episodes |
| 2021 | Landscapers | DC Paul Wilkie | Main role; 4 episodes |
| 2022 | Red Rose | Vinny Mason | Main role; 4 episodes |
| Mammals | Dan | 2 episodes | |
| 2023 | The Chemistry of Death | DCI Mackenzie | 3 episodes |
| Murder, They Hope | Samuel | Episode: "Blood Actually: A 'Murder, They Hope' Mystery" | |
| 2024 | Renegade Nell | Sir George Horner | Episode: "Stop Printing This Muck" |
| 2025 | Amandaland | Mal | 6 episodes |
| 2025 | Wolf King | Broghan | Voice only |
Audio
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Eight Point Nine Nine | Darren Jones | |
| 2020 | Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor Chronicles | Danny Pink | Episode: "War Wounds" |
References
[edit]- ^ "Samuel Anderson - National Portrait Gallery". www.npg.org.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Culture: History repeating itself; Birmingham-born actor Samuel Anderson talks to Terry Grimley about the life-changing experience of appearing in the stage and screen versions of Alan Bennett's The History Boys". thefreelibrary.com.
- ^ "Internet Broadway Database: Samuel Anderson Credits on Broadway". Retrieved 7 January 2007.
- ^ "National Theatre : Productions : The History Boys 2004". Retrieved 17 October 2006.
- ^ "Samuel Anderson". IMDb.
- ^ a b "Emmerdale welcomes new policeman". Metro. 26 September 2007.
- ^ Debnath, Neela (2 September 2015). "Doctor Who and Emmerdale star Samuel Anderson says he WOULD return to soap as Ross Kirk". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
- ^ "New recurring character for Doctor Who Series 8". Doctor Who TV. BBC. 24 February 2014. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ McEwan, Cameron K (3 May 2017). "Danny Pink actor Samuel Anderson stars in new C4/AMC comedy, 'Loaded'". Doctor Who.tv.
- ^ Jones, Ellen E. (4 May 2017). "Samuel Anderson 'terrified' about new show Loaded: 'I hope people like it'". Evening Standard.
- ^ Naronha, Remus (7 August 2019). "'Another Life' star Samuel Anderson says William's loyalty lies with Niko first and foremost: 'She treats him normal'". meaww.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ Swift, Andy (21 February 2022). "Another Life Cancelled at Netflix — Read Katee Sackhoff's Statement". TVLine. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ "Amandaland: Who Is Samuel Anderson?". Grazia. 6 February 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
External links
[edit]
Samuel Anderson (actor)
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Family and upbringing
Samuel Anderson was born on 27 April 1982 in Handsworth, Birmingham, England.[6] Anderson has mixed heritage, with an Irish mother and a Jamaican father.[1] Anderson is the son of Margaret, who runs a nursery, and Samuel, a retired engineer.[7] He has two sisters who live with a rare genetic condition known as PRMT7 deficiency, which causes severe developmental delays and decreased muscle tone.[1] His family initially resided in Handsworth following his birth but relocated to Perry Barr, another area of Birmingham, when Anderson was 11 years old.[1]Education
Anderson attended Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School in Wednesbury, near Wolverhampton, where he initially aspired to become a professional footballer.[7] After completing his GCSEs, he began A-levels in film studies, physical education, and general studies but left after one year, feeling unengaged with traditional academics.[7] His passion for acting developed during his mid-teens, sparked by a conversation with his cousin on a bus ride at age 15, who was attending the Birmingham Theatre School.[1] Intrigued, Anderson joined the school on a part-time basis to explore the craft, initially viewing it as a casual pursuit rather than a definitive career path.[1] This experience solidified his decision to pursue acting professionally, leading him to forgo further conventional education in favor of dedicated training. At age 18, Anderson relocated to London to enroll at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA), a prestigious drama school, beginning his studies in 2000.[8] He graduated in 2003, having honed his skills through intensive performance and recorded arts programs tailored to the industry.[9]Career
Theatre work
Anderson originated the role of Crowther, one of the ensemble of gifted schoolboys, in Alan Bennett's play The History Boys at the Royal National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre in London, where the production premiered on 18 May 2004 under the direction of Nicholas Hytner.[10][11] The play, which explores themes of education, sexuality, and ambition among a group of A-level history students in 1980s northern England, featured Anderson alongside a notable cast including James Corden, Samuel Barnett, and Dominic Cooper, marking his breakthrough in professional theatre.[12] The production achieved significant success, transferring to the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway for a run from 23 April to 1 October 2006, with Anderson reprising Crowther in the original cast.[13][14] Critics praised the ensemble's dynamic performances, contributing to the play's six Tony Award wins, including Best Play, and highlighting the collaborative energy among the young actors portraying the unruly yet intellectually vibrant students.[15][16] Following the Broadway run, the original cast, including Anderson, embarked on an international tour in 2006 that included stops in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong, bringing the production's witty examination of academic pressures to global audiences before its adaptation into a feature film (covered in the film roles section).[17][18] Prior to The History Boys, Anderson's theatre experience was limited to minor roles in regional productions, establishing a foundation in live performance that emphasized ensemble work. No major stage credits for him are documented after the 2006 tour, as his career shifted toward screen roles. This theatre foundation, particularly the improvisational and group-oriented demands of the play's classroom scenes, informed his later acting approach in ensemble-driven narratives.Television roles
Anderson began his television career with guest appearances in the early 2000s, including roles in the BBC soap opera Doctors, the supernatural drama Hex, and The Afternoon Play, which marked his entry into on-screen work. He gained prominence in comedy through his role as Fingers, a friend in the ensemble of the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, appearing in the 2007 and 2009 series as well as the 2024 Christmas special, where his character contributed to the show's humorous group dynamics and Welsh camaraderie. From 2007 to 2009, Anderson portrayed police officer Ross Kirk in the ITV soap Emmerdale, a regular role spanning over 150 episodes that involved major storylines such as family tensions with cousin Paddy Kirk and an affair with Donna Windsor-Dingle, adding layers of conflict to the village's interpersonal dramas.[19] In 2014, Anderson joined the BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who as Danny Pink, a mathematics teacher and love interest to Clara Oswald, in eight episodes of the eighth series and the Christmas special Last Christmas, where his portrayal explored emotional depth through themes of grief, romance, and moral dilemmas amid alien threats.[3] This role significantly boosted his visibility in genre television, leading to increased opportunities in both drama and comedy.[9] Anderson showcased his comedic versatility as Daniel Wilson, the deputy store manager, in the Sky1 sitcom Trollied from 2014 to 2017, navigating workplace absurdities and staff rivalries in a supermarket setting over multiple series.[20] In the Netflix sci-fi series Another Life (2019–2021), he played William, the husband of astronaut Niko Breckenridge, delving into family drama through long-distance communication and personal sacrifices during a space mission crisis.[21] In 2024, Anderson played Sir George Horner, a cunning antagonist, in the Disney+ fantasy adventure series Renegade Nell.[22] In 2025, Anderson appeared as Mal, a single father and disgruntled neighbor to the protagonist in the BBC comedy Amandaland, a six-episode spin-off of Motherland that was renewed for a second series, highlighting modern parenting challenges with humor.[23] He also joined BBC's Shetland season 10 as Matt Blake, the Procurator Fiscal, contributing to the crime drama's investigative narratives in the Shetland Islands.[24][1]Film roles
Samuel Anderson's transition to film has been marked by selective, supporting roles that often draw on his theatrical background, emphasizing ensemble dynamics and character-driven narratives in British cinema. While his screen output remains modest compared to his extensive television work, these appearances highlight his versatility in adapting stage-honed subtlety to the medium, contributing to projects that blend humor, drama, and social commentary.[5] Anderson first gained cinematic prominence reprising his originating stage role as Crowther, one of the gifted students navigating academic pressures and personal awakenings, in the 2006 adaptation of Alan Bennett's The History Boys, directed by Nicholas Hytner. This seamless shift from the National Theatre production to screen preserved the play's witty exploration of education and sexuality, with the ensemble's chemistry earning praise for its authenticity and energy, though some critics noted the film's staginess limited its visual flair.[5][25][26] In 2015, he appeared in a minor but memorable capacity as a Jehovah's Witness in Nicholas Hytner's biographical comedy-drama The Lady in the Van, starring Maggie Smith as the eccentric Miss Shepherd. The film, based on Alan Bennett's experiences, was lauded for its gentle humor and Smith's commanding performance, with Anderson's brief role adding to the quirky ensemble that captured the nuances of everyday London life and human eccentricity.[5][27] Anderson ventured into action territory with his role as David, a henchman in the 2021 ensemble thriller Gunpowder Milkshake, directed by Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado. In this high-octane, female-led narrative of assassins and revenge, his character participates in tense, stylized sequences that underscore the film's vibrant, if derivative, homage to genre staples like John Wick, receiving mixed reviews for its bold visuals but uneven pacing.[5][28] More recently, in 2024, Anderson portrayed an A&R man in Sam Taylor-Johnson's biopic Back to Black, depicting aspects of the music industry's influence on Amy Winehouse's life. His supporting turn contributes to the film's portrayal of the turbulent creative world, amid critiques that the movie's uneven tone and focus on romance dilute deeper explorations of Winehouse's struggles, though Marisa Abela's lead performance was widely commended.[5][29] These roles reflect Anderson's sparse but impactful film contributions, often in narratives supporting diverse themes from immigrant experiences to industry pressures, while reinforcing his roots in theatre through collaborations with directors like Hytner.[5]Filmography
Film
- The History Boys (2006) as Crowther
- The Lady in the Van (2015) as Jehovah's Witness[30]
- Genesis (2018) as Robert Shorey[31]
- Gunpowder Milkshake (2021) as David
- Sweetheart (2021) as Steve
- Embers (2023) as Joe
- Falling into Place (2023) as Lewis
- Back to Black (2024) as A&R Man[32]
Television
| Year(s) | Series | Character | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Doctors | Various | Multiple | Early guest appearances.[33] |
| 2004–2005 | Hex | Julius | 12 | Recurring role in the Sky One supernatural drama.[34] |
| 2007–2024 | Gavin & Stacey | Fingers | Multiple | Recurring character across three series and Christmas specials.[35] |
| 2007–2009 | Emmerdale | Ross Kirk | 153 | Regular role as police officer Ross Kirk.[36] |
| 2014 | Doctor Who | Danny Pink | 8 | Recurring role in the eighth series.[37] |
| 2014–2017 | Trollied | Daniel | 24 | Series regular in seasons 4–7 and Christmas special.[38] |
| 2019–2021 | Another Life | William | 20 | Regular role as the AI holographic interface in both seasons.[21] |
| 2025 | Amandaland | Mal | 6 | Lead role in the first season; series renewed for a second season and Christmas special.[39] |
| 2025 | Shetland | Matt Blake | TBD | New role as procurator fiscal in season 10.[24] |