Samuel Bottomley – Rising British Actor’s Films And TV Roles

Alright, so let’s talk about Samuel Bottomley, yeah? Not in that stiff, Wikipedia-way where everything sounds like it was written by a toaster with a law degree. I’m talking about the real deal — this rising British star who somehow manages to feel like your awkward cousin and a total pro onscreen at the same time.

I first saw Samuel Bottomley in Ladhood and, honest to God, thought, “Wait… did I go to school with this kid?” (Spoiler: I didn’t, but it felt that real.) This dude’s been quietly stacking roles, and now his filmography reads like a weirdly satisfying buffet — a little drama, some coming-of-age, even a slice of crime. Let’s dive in.

From a Yorkshire Lad to the Screen

Okay, so Samuel Bottomley was born in Yorkshire — Keighley, to be exact. Sounds quaint, right? Like the kind of place where the biggest drama is someone stealing a neighbor’s garden gnome. But out of this quiet little town came this guy who, by age eleven, was already making waves.

He got his start in Tyrannosaur (yeah, heavy title), which was this gritty, emotional rollercoaster of a film. Imagine being a literal child and acting opposite Paddy Considine. I’d have cried and run off set. He didn’t.

Fun side note: The first time I tried acting, I forgot my one line and nervously announced I had to pee. So, yeah, Samuel Bottomley was doing better at 11 than I ever have.

Early Roles That Hit Hard

He didn’t stop with just one intense role. Oh no.

🎬 Tyrannosaur (2011)

His debut
Played Samuel, a quiet, emotionally wrecked boy
Honestly, watching him here made me feel like I needed a nap and a hug

🎬 Private Peaceful (2012)

A WWI drama that totally breaks your soul
Samuel Bottomley played Young Tommo, aka the younger version of the lead
Let’s just say… the mud, the tears, the heartbreak — he nailed it all

This period of his career felt like he was always crying or about to cry. I mean, he was so good at sad. Meanwhile, I was still learning not to burn toast.

Growing Up Onscreen – Kinda Like Watching Your Cousin Become Famous

If you’ve ever watched Ladhood, you know the vibes. Awkward school days, cringey choices, brutal banter — it’s a fever dream if you survived the 2000s. And Samuel Bottomley didn’t just act in it; he was it.

📺 Ladhood (2019–2022)

Played Young Liam, the main character’s teenage version
It’s funny, smart, and painfully accurate
I swear, the school corridor scenes made me relive my actual teen years — bad haircut included

What makes Samuel Bottomley so good in Ladhood is how natural he is. Like, you’re not watching an actor. You’re watching that kid who wore the same hoodie every day and kinda smelled like Doritos but still had your back in a fight.

And let’s be real — he somehow made teenage awkwardness cool. Which is wild, ’cause I still can’t look at my Year 10 photos without breaking into a cold sweat.

The “Wait, Is That Samuel?” Phase

Okay, so after Ladhood, you start seeing Samuel Bottomley everywhere. Like, those “oh hey, it’s that guy!” moments.

📺 Ackley Bridge (2017–2019)

Played Jordan Wilson
One of those complex teen characters who’s rough around the edges but big-hearted
You get drama, family tension, school chaos — the works

I remember watching an episode while eating cereal (at 2 a.m., don’t judge), and out of nowhere, Samuel Bottomley shows up again like, “Yep, I do school dramas and I do them well.”

Then there’s The Teacher — a Channel 5 thriller where he played a kid caught in a nasty scandal with his teacher. Yeah, the vibes in this one were dark-dark. But as always, Samuel Bottomley sold it. The tension? Chef’s kiss.

Big Screen, Big Moves

Now, the thing about Samuel Bottomley is he doesn’t just do telly. He’s dipped into film too — and not just the sad stuff. There’s some surprisingly fun bits in there.

🎬 Get Duked! (2019)

Also known as Boyz in the Wood — wild title, right?
Think Lord of the Flies meets Hot Fuzz
A bunch of teens go hiking, and chaos unfolds

Samuel Bottomley plays one of the lads just trying to survive the madness. The film’s like a fever dream, in the best way. There’s bagpipes, explosions, psycho hunters, and goats. I think. It’s honestly hard to explain — you just gotta watch it.

This was also the role where I realized: Dude’s funny. He’s got timing. And, surprise surprise, he doesn’t cry once. Growth!

Recent Projects – Getting Grittier, Getting Better

Fast forward to the present, and Samuel Bottomley is leveling up like he’s in a video game.

📺 Somewhere Boy (2022)

This one’s about a kid raised in isolation by his paranoid dad
Super intense, and Samuel Bottomley plays Aaron
The show’s quiet, weird, and kind of beautiful

I honestly binge-watched this one in bed, wrapped in a blanket burrito, whispering “what is happening” every five minutes. And guess who brought the emotional anchor? Yep, Samuel Bottomley.

Why He Stands Out (And Why That’s Rare)

Let’s break it down, real chill-like.

🧠 What Makes Samuel Bottomley Click?

Understated but powerful – No overacting. Just raw emotion.
Believable AF – Even when the script gets bonkers, he stays grounded.
That face – Like, not in a weird way, but he’s got this expressive face that just gets you.

I genuinely think Samuel Bottomley could read a cereal box aloud and still make you feel something. That’s talent.

Personal Favorite Moments (And One Embarrassing Truth)

Alright, storytime. I once tried to DM Samuel Bottomley on Instagram — just a “yo great job in Ladhood” kinda message. Then I immediately deleted it after realizing I’d accidentally typed “Loved you in Ladbrokes.” YUP. Sent him a shout-out for a betting app instead of his actual show. Haven’t emotionally recovered.

But that’s the thing — you wanna root for the guy. He feels real. Not like those over-polished, Hollywood-robot types. Just a down-to-earth lad doing solid work.

Also… can someone cast him in a rom-com already? I wanna see him be charming and awkward, not just emotionally wrecked and sad. Give the man a kiss scene or two.

Quickfire Recap: Films & TV Shows To Check Out

If you’re new to Samuel Bottomley, start here:

🎬 Films

Tyrannosaur (2011)
Private Peaceful (2012)
Get Duked! (2019)
The Last Right (2019)

📺 TV Shows

Ladhood (2019–2022)
Ackley Bridge (2017–2019)
The Teacher (2022)
Somewhere Boy (2022)
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light (upcoming – stay tuned)

Honestly, just Google him. If he’s in it, odds are it’s good.

Where’s He Headed Next?

You know how some actors peak young and vanish into the abyss of celebrity rehab shows? Yeah, that ain’t happening here.

Samuel Bottomley is on this chill, low-key rise. No scandals. No weird TikTok phases. Just good roles, solid performances, and a career that feels like it’s about to pop.

Word on the street (well, okay, on IMDb) is that he’s lined up for some period dramas and maybe a film or two. Fingers crossed he gets cast in something totally nuts like a sci-fi western with space cows. I’d watch that.

Final Thoughts: The Lad You Didn’t Know You Loved

So here’s the deal: Samuel Bottomley isn’t flashy. He’s not trying to be a Marvel hero (yet), and he doesn’t pop up in gossip mags.

But what he does do is show up, deliver, and leave you thinking about his character for days. I’d bet my last soggy crumpet that he’s gonna be one of those actors you look back on in 10 years and go, “Ohhh yeah, I remember when he started out.”

And hey, if he ever wins a BAFTA, I’ll be the idiot screaming “Ladhood forever!” from my couch, snack crumbs and all.

Wrote this paragraph by hand. Then spilled coffee on it. Classic.