Meet Sam Locke, the Welsh actor who’s turning the UK film scene upside down. From Merthyr Tydfil, he channels his working-class roots and real-life grit into performances that feel raw, magnetic, and completely alive.
After training at Merthyr College and graduating from De Montfort University, Sam made his mark on TV and indie projects before breaking through with Jimmy Fox in Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later. Known for diving into emotionally intense, layered characters, he’s quickly emerging as one of Britain’s boldest new talents.
Off-screen, Sam’s passions — skateboarding, exploring the outdoors, and supporting Liverpool FC — feed his energy and keep him grounded, giving every performance an authenticity that’s impossible to ignore. In this interview, we dive into his journey, his inspirations, and the stories he’s most excited to tell next.
Sam, your journey through Merthyr College and De Montfort University has clearly shaped who you are as an actor. How did those years define your artistic voice and your approach to roles?
My academic studies of the arts were almost exclusively stage oriented, but despite my professional career being predominantly TV/Film there were key lessons and learning that have aided any type of acting I do. Certain techniques I have picked up, or certain people I have met have all contributed to the performer I am today. I do have to credit my College course though.. Whereas a cohort with the tutors we had made some incredible high quality work, that pushed boundaries and challenged me no end. I am forever grateful to that course.
Playing Jimmy Fox in 28 Years Later thrust you into the international spotlight. How did you strike the balance between emotional authenticity and the expectations of such a high-profile project?
It was a hard mental challenge to manage the weight of expectation of being a part of such a cult-followed franchise, with being able to be free, expressive and myself as a performer. It became an easier task overtime however, once I was made to feel comfortable and trusted I then became much more aware of the fact I was cast in the project for a reason.. so the mindset quickly changed from “is this too much for me?” To “let’s bloody make a Danny Boyle [and Nia DaCasta] Film!!”
Merthyr Tydfil and your Welsh heritage are part of your DNA. How do these roots influence your artistic choices and the depth of the characters you bring to life?
Ah definitely keeping myself humble, knowing to enjoy every minute because these moments are what I’ve worked for, so I am aware when doing a project to juice it and squeeze as much from it as I possibly can because its never certain when the next job will come in. Also, more specifically with my role in 28 years later: The Bone Temple My character was written to be Welsh so I was allowed to keep my accent, and that filled me with so much pride knowing that I could be the one to showcase the Welsh, specifically the Valleys accent on such a huge stage.
You’re known for taking on intense, layered characters.
What draws you to a role, and how do you know it’s the right one for you?
The challenge, the prospect of sinking my teeth into a character and developing ideas for them. I aim to, in the future, always challenge myself in every regard. Only take roles that I can learn from and enjoy wholeheartedly whilst doing so.
Collaborating with a director of Danny Boyle’s stature is a milestone for any actor. What is the most significant lesson you’ve taken from that experience?
As you can Imagine it was a sort of pinch yourself moment. But Danny had this unannounced way of making everyone comfortable on set, he was able to make us all aware of the fact we are here because we’ve been cast.. I felt trusted by him, and that then bled beautifully into Nia’s film 28 years later: the bone templebecause then, we felt as a cast so gelled and on the same wavelength that we could perform at our bests, and we needed that, as The bone temple is we [The Jimmies] we really stepped into the fore.
Your roles often demand considerable physical and emotional commitment. How do you prepare yourself to fully inhabit such intense characters?
I think with Jimmy Fox it was an amalgamation of preparation and spontaneity. I found it was more ‘hyping myself up’ to take on such an outlandish, far from my reality character and then taking that energy to set everyday in order to harness it into a sense of fully letting go and allowing my raw initiative to take over. With a lot of roles you can draw from your own personal experiences to inform elements of your performance. But with Jimmy Fox I found I was getting my best work from being completely present and responsive as I couldn’t draw from my own experiences… (thankfully) hahah
You’ve worked across both film and television. How does your approach to acting change depending on the medium?
I think TV and film are largely similar, I’ve not found a unique stance I take before approaching each one. But having worked on stage, that’s where the changes come in. The prep looks different – with rehearsals being in longer blocks, I adore the immediacy of performing live. You are very much enjoying it as the audience does, whereas in TV and film you reap rewards a lot further in the future from when you’re working on it, but it’s so soooo sweet!
Looking ahead, what stories are you most drawn to telling, and which themes continue to inspire you?
I’m drawn to any type of story, but it has to strike a chord with me. It has to captivate me in some sort of way. I’m always eager to add variation and range to my body of work, it excites me the thought of having many genres, character types under my belt and to dance among a range of themes and narratives.
Your passions for skateboarding, nature, and football seem to energize your presence on set. How do these personal interests inform your artistry?
Those sports have a large emphasis on self expression. In both skateboarding and football the players best work often comes from expressing theirselves, and in acting despite their being a script to follow and a director to adhere to, there is also a large encouragement to express yourself within every role you take. Also, having a love for nature helps me in a more literal sense, acting can and will take me to so many different locations and being able to love the locations you’re in, on any given project will also add to how much you enjoy it.
For young actors coming from humble backgrounds who dream of a.career in film, what would be your most sincere piece of advice?
I think my biggest advice would be to never let that ‘flame’ within you go out.. its allowed to and will fade, roar and everything in-between.. but not letting it fully distinguish is really important, stay as driven and proactive as you can be. Also never be afraid to seek help and guidance when you need it, if you’re suffering, don’t suffer alone.
A letter to your future self.
Dear Sam,
Keeping kicking arse.
With love,
Sam
CREDITS
Talent: Sam Locke
Photographer: Matt Crockett
Assistant: Henry Jackson
Location: Moth Club
Fashion Editor: Corinna Fusco