| Birth date | 25 April 1980 (age 46) |
|---|---|
| Birth place | Whitby, North Yorkshire, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Alma mater | London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Partner | Adam Penford |
Samuel Barnett (born 25 April 1980) is an English actor. He has performed on stage, film, television and radio and achieved recognition for his work on the stage and film versions of The History Boys by Alan Bennett. His television performances include roles in the BBC comedy Twenty Twelve and in the Showtime drama Penny Dreadful. He played the lead role of Dirk Gently in Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, the 2016 BBC America adaptation of the book series by Douglas Adams.
Early life
Barnett was born in Whitby, North Yorkshire, on 25 April 1980.[1] He has four siblings. His mother comes from a Quaker background while his father was descended from Polish Jews.[2] He started performing at an early age before moving to London to study acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
Career
Barnett appeared in the original London stage production of Alan Bennett's 2004 play The History Boys, as well as in the New York, Sydney, Wellington and Hong Kong productions and radio and film versions of the play.[3][4][5][6] He had been involved in The History Boys from its very first reading.[7]
In 2009 Barnett played John Everett Millais in the BBC series Desperate Romantics and Joseph Severn in the film Bright Star. He appeared at the National Theatre in Women Beware Women by Thomas Middleton, which ran from 20 April to 4 July 2010. From July 2012 he appeared in an all-male-cast as Queen Elizabeth in Shakespeare's Richard III at Shakespeare's Globe in London alongside Mark Rylance in the title role, also playing the role of Sebastian in Twelfth Night. The production transferred to the Apollo Theatre in the West End, opening on 2 November 2012 and running for a limited engagement.[8] Both Twelfth Night and Richard III transferred to Broadway in 2013 and played at the Belasco Theatre until February 2014. In the Broadway productions Barnett reprised his role as Elizabeth Woodville in Richard III and took on the role of Viola (previously played by Johnny Flynn in London) in Twelfth Night.[9][10] In July 2018 Barnett reunited with History Boys playwright Alan Bennett and co-star Sacha Dhawan for Bennett's new play, Allelujah!, at the Bridge Theatre.[11]
In 2022 at the Edinburgh Fringe, Barnett performed a one-man show Feeling Afraid as If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen written by Marcelo dos Santos.[12] In late 2023, Barnett performed this at the Bush Theatre in London.[13]
Recognition and awards
Barnett was nominated for the Evening Standard Theatre Award as Most Promising Newcomer for his role in The Marriage of Figaro in 2002. He won Best Newcomer and Best Supporting Actor in a play at the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers Choice Awards for his work on the original production of The History Boys.[3] He was nominated for the 29th annual Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role.[14] He won a Drama Desk Award and was nominated for a Tony Award for his work on the Broadway production.[15][16]
Barnett was nominated for the 2006 British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer (On Screen) for his work on the film version of The History Boys.[17]
In 2014 Barnett received a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his work in Twelfth Night.[18]
In 2022 Barnett received the Stage Edinburgh Award for excellence in acting for his role in the solo-show Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen.[19]
Personal life
Barnett is gay and in a relationship with theatre director Adam Penford.[20] In 2020 his father died from COVID-19.[21][22]
Credits
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | The Accrington Pals[1] | Reggie | Minerva Theatre, Chichester |
| The Marriage of Figaro[1] | Cherubino | Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester | |
| 2003–2004 | His Dark Materials | Pantalaimon | Olivier Theatre, Royal National Theatre, South Bank |
| 2004–2006 | The History Boys | Posner | Lyttelton Theatre, Royal National Theatre, South Bank (2004–2005) Lyric Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (2006) St. James Theatre, Wellington (2006) Sydney Theatre, Sydney (2006) Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway (2006) |
| 2005 | When You Cure Me[1] | Peter | Bush Theatre, London |
| 2007–2008 | Dealer's Choice | Carl | Menier Chocolate Factory and Trafalgar Studios, London |
| 2010 | The Whisky Taster[23] | Barney | Bush Theatre, London |
| The Man | Man | Finborough Theatre, London | |
| Women Beware Women[24] | Leantio | Olivier Theatre, Royal National Theatre, South Bank | |
| 2011 | Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead | Rosencrantz | Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket |
| 66 Books | St. Paul | Bush Theatre, London | |
| 2012 | The Way of the World | Witwoud | Crucible Theatre, Sheffield |
| Richard III | Elizabeth Woodville | Shakespeare's Globe and Apollo Theatre, London | |
| Twelfth Night | Sebastian | Shakespeare's Globe and Apollo Theatre, London | |
| 2013–2014 | Richard III | Elizabeth Woodville | Belasco Theatre, Broadway |
| Twelfth Night | Viola | Belasco Theatre, Broadway | |
| 2015 | The Beaux' Stratagem | Aimwell | Olivier Theatre, Royal National Theatre, South Bank |
| 2018 | Allelujah! | Colin | Bridge Theatre, |
| Kiss of the Spider Woman | Molina | Menier Chocolate Factory, London | |
| 2021 | Medium: A Magical Reckoning[25] | ||
| 2022 | Straight Line Crazy | Ariel Porter | Bridge Theatre |
| Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen | The Comedian | Roundabout Theatre @ Summerhall, Edinburgh Festival | |
| 2023 | Rock Follies[26] (adaptation of the TV series) | Harry | Chichester Festival Theatre |
| 2024 | Ben and Imo | Ben | Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon |
| 2025 | The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse [27] | Various | Nottingham Playhouse |
Television
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Mrs Henderson Presents | Paul |
| 2006 | The History Boys | Posner |
| 2009 | Bright Star | Joseph Severn |
| 2012 | Love Tomorrow | Cal |
| 2015 | Jupiter Ascending | Advocate Bob |
| The Lady in the Van | Out of work actor | |
| 2020 | The Act | Matthews |
| 2023 | Lee | Cecil Beaton |
Radio
| Year | Title | Role | Station | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Fighting for Words | Thomas Moynihan | BBC Radio 4[30][31] | |
| 2005 | The History Boys | Posner | BBC Radio 3[32] | |
| When You Cure Me | Peter | BBC Radio 3[33] | ||
| 2007 | Down and Out in Paris and London | George Orwell | BBC Radio 4[34] | |
| 2008 | The Babington Plot | Thomas Salisbury | BBC Radio 4[35] | |
| 2009 | The Quest | Mordred | BBC Radio 4 | |
| Joan of Arc, and How She Became a Saint | Dauphin of France | BBC Radio 4[36] | ||
| Turing's Test | Alan Turing | Made in Manchester[37] | ||
| 2010 | Spitfire | Tony | BBC Radio 4 | |
| Translations | Yolland | BBC Radio 4[38] | ||
| I, Claudius | Caligula | BBC Radio 4[39] | ||
| A Tiny Bit Marvellous | Oscar | BBC Radio 4 | ||
| 2011 | Wuthering Heights | Edgar Linton / Linton Heathcliff | BBC Radio 3 | |
| My Week with Marilyn | Colin Clark (narrator) | BBC Radio 4 | ||
| 2012 | Dickens' London | Charles Dickens | BBC Radio 4 | |
| The Voysey Inheritance | Edward Voysey | BBC Radio 3 | ||
| 2013 | Tosca's Kiss | Rospo | BBC Radio 3 | |
| Jill | John Kemp | BBC Radio 4 | ||
| Denmark Hill | Charles | BBC Radio 4 | ||
| Sometimes into the Arms of God | Cecil Beaton | BBC Radio 4[40] | ||
| 2018 | The Case of Charles Dexter Ward | Charles Dexter Ward | BBC Radio 4[41] | |
| 2024 | Dickensian: Little Dorrit | Arthur Clennam | BBC Radio 4 | 3 episodes |
Audio drama
| Year | Title | Role | Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Doctor Who: The Beast of Orlok | Hans | Big Finish |
| 2016 | Doctor Who: Nightshade | Robin Yeadon | |
| The Confessions of Dorian Gray | Staurt Knight | ||
| 2016– | Torchwood | Norton Folgate | |
| 2017 | Hamlet | Laertes | |
| 2017–2018 | Cicero | Cicero | |
| 2019 | Doctor Who: Tartarus | Cicero |
Soundtrack
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The History Boys | Performer: "L'Accordéoniste", "Bewitched", "Bye Bye Blackbird" |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Amnesia: Rebirth | Richard Fairchild | Voice[42][better source needed] |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Delamain AI | Voice[43][better source needed] | |
| Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition | Gael'gar | Voice[44][better source needed] | |
| 2022 | Elden Ring | Brother Corhyn | Voice[45][better source needed] |
References
- ^ "20 Questions With...Samuel Barnett". Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
- ^ "Samuel Barnett: first the Olympics, now for a run in the West End - The Jewish Chronicle". Archived from the original on 2017-12-01.
- ^ "National Theatre : Productions : The History Boys 2004". Retrieved 13 October 2006.
- ^ "The History Boys – Arts Reviews – Arts – Entertainment". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 March 2006. Retrieved 13 October 2006.
- ^ "John Smythe: theatre reviews: NZIAF-The History Boys: More is more". Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2006.
- ^ "Genesis Foundation – Samuel Barnett (Class of 2001)". Retrieved 14 October 2006.
- ^ Bennett, Alan & Hytner, Nicholas (2006). The History Boys The Film. London: Forelake Ltd. p. viii. ISBN 0-571-23173-X.
- ^ "Twelfth Night Overview". Archived from the original on 30 October 2012.
- ^ Eberhard, Emmitt (8 February 2014). "Two Plays In Repertory On A Rotating Schedule See One, See Both!". Shakespeare on Broadway. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ Eberhard, Emmitt (8 February 2014). "CASTS". Shakespeare on Broadway. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ Billington, Michael (18 July 2018). "Allelujah! review – Alan Bennett's hospital drama is full of quiet anger". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ Wiegand, Chris (2022-08-16). "Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen review – seriously funny". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen Tickets". London Theatre. 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ Wolf, Matt (23 January 2005). "Big musicals score lion's share of Olivier noms". Variety. Retrieved 13 October 2006.
- ^ "2006 – Drama Desk Awards – Press Releases". Archived 12 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 October 2006.
- ^ "The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards – Official Website by IBM". Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2006.
- ^ "British Independent Film Awards Announce Nominations". 26 October 2006. Archived 28 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 November 2006.
- ^ "Tony Award Winners 2014 — Full List". Variety. 8 June 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ Wiegand, Chris (16 August 2022). "Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen review – seriously funny". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Bernstein, Jacob (2014-02-12). "Samuel Barnett Discusses His Female Roles in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' and 'Richard III'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-01-08.
- ^ "Culture in Lockdown: Samuel Barnett – 'I am grateful for the space lockdown gave me'". The Stage. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- ^ "'I want to do things I've never done': The History Boys' Samuel Barnett on his new one-man show". The Guardian. 16 August 2022.
- ^ "The Whisky Taster Reviews at the Bush Theatre". Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
- ^ "Productions: Women Beware Women". Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
- ^ "Samuel Barnett brings Medium - A Magical Reckoning to Riverside Studios". West End Best Friend. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- ^ "Rock Follies". Chichester Festival Theatre. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ "The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse". Nottingham Playhouse. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Stellar casting for new Marple film (ITV press release, 05.08.2009)". Archived from the original on 31 October 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
- ^ "Cyberpunk 2077 (Video Game 2020)". IMDb.[better source needed]
- ^ "Fighting for Words radio listing". Retrieved 14 August 2009.
- ^ Daoust, Phil (28 January 2005). "Pick of the day". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
- ^ "BBC Radio 3 – Drama on 3 – The History Boys". Retrieved 14 August 2009.
- ^ "BBC Radio 3 – Drama on 3 – When You Cure Me". Retrieved 14 August 2009.
- ^ "BBC – Radio 4 – the Classic Serial". Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ^ "LocateTV – The Babington Plot". Archived from the original on 26 December 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 – The Saturday Play – Joan of Arc, and How She Became a Saint". Retrieved 14 August 2009.
- ^ "Download "Turing's Test": an exclusive new radio play". The Independent Online. 23 October 2009. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 – The Saturday Play – Translations". Retrieved 4 September 2010.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 – I, Claudius". Retrieved 12 December 2010.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 – Afternoon Drama – James Lees-Milne". Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 - The Case of Charles Dexter Ward". Retrieved 6 November 2019.
- ^ "Amnesia: Rebirth (Video Game 2020)". IMDb.
- ^ "Cyberpunk 2077 (Video Game 2020)". IMDb.
- ^ "Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (Video Game 2020)". IMDb.
- ^ "Elden Ring (Video Game 2022)". IMDb.
External links
- Samuel Barnett at IMDb