So, you wanna know about Samuel Bottomley? Fair enough. The guy’s been quietly stealing scenes for over a decade now, even if you didn’t realize it. I mean, not all heroes wear capes — some just show up, act their hearts out, and leave you weirdly emotional halfway through a BBC drama.
I first noticed him in Ladhood, back when I was trying (and failing) to survive a hangover with some Yorkshire TV bingeing. There he was — not trying too hard, not chewing the scenery — just there, being real. And yeah, I spilled tea on my couch because I leaned in too hard. Worth it.
Let’s unpack this dude’s career. Properly. With bullet points and all.
The Early Days of Samuel Bottomley
Alright, here’s the scoop: Samuel Bottomley was born on June 14, 2001, in Wibsey, Bradford. That’s West Yorkshire, if you’re not up on your British geography. Not quite the Hollywood hills, but you know what? Bradford’s given us more underrated legends than we give it credit for.
First Steps (And Wobbles)
He wasn’t one of those glittery child stars who popped up in toothpaste ads or weird cereal commercials. Nah, Samuel Bottomley made his acting debut at age nine in a film that… honestly, I only saw once but remember vividly.
- Tyrannosaur (2011) — Directed by Paddy Considine
- A gritty, emotional sucker punch of a film
- Samuel played young Samuel (meta?) — not much dialogue, but that blank stare? It haunted me
I remember watching that movie in a tiny uni dorm room, where the Wi-Fi was so bad, it kept buffering mid-trauma. And still, Samuel Bottomley managed to make an impression. At nine. What was I doing at nine? Oh right — crying because my Game Boy batteries died.
Breakout Roles That Actually Hit
Okay, let’s talk about when Samuel Bottomley started really cooking. You know that weird point where you recognize an actor’s face before you remember their name? That was me for about five years.
1. Ackley Bridge (2017–2020)
- Played Jordan Wilson
- One of the standout students in the show
- Tackled race, class, school chaos — all the big stuff
It was low-key revolutionary. And Samuel Bottomley gave it that dry edge. Like, the kind of character who acts tough but secretly listens to sad indie songs in the dark. (No shame — we’ve all been there.)
I remember watching it while eating instant noodles, thinking, “This feels like British Degrassi, but less dramatic haircuts.”
2. Ladhood (2019–2022)
Now this is where the man shined.
- He played Young Liam, the teenage version of the show’s creator
- Based on Liam Williams’ life — super nostalgic, super cringey (in a good way)
Every single episode made me wince with recognition. Like, painfully accurate flashbacks to the awkward days of puberty, trying to look cool in a hoodie two sizes too big.
And Samuel Bottomley? He nailed it. Like, scary nailed it. His awkward silences hit harder than most monologues on telly these days.
Wrote this paragraph by hand. Then spilled coffee on it. Classic.
The Big-Screen Stuff (Yeah, He Does Films Too)
You’d think someone like Samuel Bottomley would get boxed into TV. But nope. The guy’s film credits are stacked with indie gold and a few curveballs.
3. Get Duked! (2019)
Aka the film formerly known as Boyz in the Wood.
- Think: Scottish Highlands + clueless teens + murdery aristocrats
- It’s weird, it’s funny, it’s straight-up wild
He plays Ian, one of the teens dragged into this insane Duke-of-Death scenario. Samuel Bottomley brings this weird blend of “I know we’re gonna die” and “I still wanna pass my GCSEs.”
I showed this movie to my cousin once — she hated it. I laughed so hard I pulled something in my neck.
4. The Last Right (2019)
- More dramatic, more grounded
- A road-trip-style Irish dramedy involving a coffin. Yep.
Samuel Bottomley plays Louis, a teenager with autism, traveling with a stranger. It’s quiet and oddly touching. Very different tone from the madcap chaos of Get Duked!
Roles That Deserve More Hype (Seriously)
Some of Samuel Bottomley’s performances slipped under the radar — like those bands you listened to in 2008 and pretended you discovered before they got big.
5. Raised by Wolves (2013–2016)
No, not the Ridley Scott android drama — this is the British comedy written by Caitlin Moran. Wildly underappreciated.
- Samuel Bottomley pops up in an early episode
- Not a huge role, but the dude already had that “watch me” aura
6. Somewhere Boy (2022)
If you haven’t seen this Channel 4 gem, you’re missing out.
- A dark, heartstring-y story about a boy locked indoors for years
- Samuel Bottomley plays Aaron, the cousin who’s kinda rough but real
There’s this one scene — I won’t spoil it — but Bottomley’s facial expressions said more than the dialogue ever could. Felt like reading House of Leaves backwards. Spooky, confusing, but you can’t look away.
What Makes Samuel Bottomley So Watchable?
Let’s break it down. What’s the deal with this guy? Why does he stick in your brain like that one line from a song you can’t remember the name of?
He’s Real — Like, Too Real
- Doesn’t feel like acting
- Feels like someone you sat next to in Year 10 Geography
- Has that face that says, “I’ve seen some things, mate”
Honestly, there’s something kinda poetic about how he delivers his lines. Not Shakespearean or overly dramatic. More like… he’s living it, not saying it.
No Try-Hard Vibes
A lot of young actors overdo it. Like, we get it, you took a Meisner workshop. But Samuel Bottomley just exists in the scene. Breathing, blinking, making you feel like it’s all happening in real time.
That kind of subtlety? Harder than pretending you like kombucha on a first date.
Upcoming Projects (Or So We Hope)
As of this year — and yes, I checked Reddit, IMDb, and a very suspect fan blog — Samuel Bottomley hasn’t announced his next big thing. But here’s what I hope he ends up doing:
- A horror film set in a rainy British seaside town
- A quirky rom-com where he plays the confused but charming barista
- A limited series where he solves crimes with a talking dog
- Literally anything — just put him in more stuff already!
Odd Little Trivia (Because Why Not?)
- Samuel Bottomley once trained at the Yorkshire School of Acting
- He doesn’t do a ton of interviews, which makes him more mysterious
- He still looks like he could convincingly play a 17-year-old in school uniform
- Rumor has it he’s an introvert — which checks out, honestly
Also — and this is 100% true — he’s said in one interview that he loves fish and chips. Like, who doesn’t? But the way he said it? Made me hungry and emotional at the same time.
Why You’ll Keep Hearing About Samuel Bottomley
Honestly? Because he’s that rare combo:
- Understated
- Versatile
- Emotionally gut–punching without trying too hard
He’s the kind of actor who’ll probably blow up in a few years, and you’ll be all like, “Oh yeah, I’ve followed him for years.” (Even though you forgot his name until just now.)
And when it happens — when Samuel Bottomley becomes the British breakout lead in some buzzy Netflix drama — we can all be smug about it.
I’ll be over here, whispering, “Told ya.” Probably still eating instant noodles and rewatching Ladhood on mute while working.
TL;DR Wrap-Up
In case your brain short-circuited halfway through, here’s the low-down:
- Started young: Tyrannosaur messed me up emotionally
- Broke out: Ackley Bridge and Ladhood made him a face you couldn’t forget
- Movie magic: Get Duked! and The Last Right showed his range
- Secret weapon: Feels like your mate, acts like a pro
- Still rising: Watch this space. Or TikTok. Or wherever he shows up next
Wrote most of this while eating toast that was slightly burnt and still felt fancy. Samuel Bottomley, if you’re reading this — you owe me a better toaster and maybe a hug.
