---
name: "Sam Spruell"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/sam-spruell"
fi1m_id: "sam-spruell"
imdb_id: "nm0819874"
tmdb_id: 55585
wikidata_id: "Q1433961"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "9 October 1977"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 20
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 20
updated: "2026-10-02T23:04:05.172680+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Sam Spruell

## Identity

Sam Spruell

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sam-spruell
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** sam-spruell
- **IMDb ID:** nm0819874
- **TMDB ID:** 55585
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1433961
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Spruell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1433961, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0819874/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/55585

Actor. Born 9 October 1977 in Southwark, London, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 9 October 1977, Southwark, London, England, UK
- **Active:** 2006–present
- **Also known as:** Sam Andrew Spruell
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 20 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 71 (4), 2010s 70 (9), 2020s 71 (7)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 66 across 18 titles
- **Score spread:** 7 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 5 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 13 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 16, Crime 5, Thriller 5, Comedy 3, Action & Adventure 2, Romance 2
- **Screen time:** 23 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $798m across 9 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Spruell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1433961, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0819874/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/55585

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Small Axe*](https://film.one/tv/small-axe.md) (88), [*Catastrophe*](https://film.one/tv/catastrophe-2015.md) (86), [*The Hurt Locker*](https://film.one/film/the-hurt-locker.md) (86), [*The Gold*](https://film.one/tv/the-gold.md) (80), [*H Is for Hawk*](https://film.one/film/h-is-for-hawk.md) (64)
- **Pluto TV:** [*Starred Up*](https://film.one/film/starred-up.md) (84)
- **Hulu:** [*Fargo*](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md) (82)
- **HBO Max:** [*A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*](https://film.one/tv/a-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms.md) (73)
- **Tubi:** [*London to Brighton*](https://film.one/film/london-to-brighton.md) (73)
- **Netflix:** [*The Last Ship*](https://film.one/tv/the-last-ship.md) (67)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Sam Spruell

> We value the humanity Sam Spruell finds in threatening men. His physical presence makes him an obvious choice for crime and period drama, but the casting can be narrower than the actor.

Sam Spruell often appears on screen as someone it would be sensible not to cross. His physical presence suits the dirt and armour of period drama, and casting him as a ruthless man makes immediate sense. The more interesting quality is his ability to find something human in the antagonist without making him harmless. We rate that combination, though the succession of tough parts risks making his work seem predictable before he has done anything.

The supporting-film years include *The Hurt Locker* (2008), *Snow White and the Huntsman* (2012) and *Legend* (2015), moving between war, fantasy and crime. Work with Steve McQueen on *Small Axe: Mangrove* (2020) and Noah Hawley on *Fargo* (2023–2024) marks the more interesting television turn. These are antagonists and outsiders with more to play than toughness. As Ole Munch in *Fargo*, he finds humanity in a hired gun without tidying away the character’s strangeness.

In Philippa Lowthorpe’s *H Is for Hawk* (2025), the limitation is in the writing. Spruell’s Stuart and Emma Cunniffe’s Mandy are falconers, but the film treats them chiefly as reasons for Helen to leave her flat and discuss how she is coping. We grew restless as these supporting encounters repeated what the film had already told us about her grief. Claire Foy and the bird give the film something worth watching, and Brendan Gleeson makes his few scenes count. There is too little for Spruell to do here to make this a useful test of his abilities.

In *Dear England* (2026), he plays Mike Webster in a football drama we recommend more readily. Joseph Fiennes is persuasive as Gareth Southgate, and James Graham makes thoughtful leadership worth watching, even when one team is asked to explain a country. That recommendation rests on the central performance and the writing; it need not make the series a useful introduction to every actor in its cast. Begin with *Fargo* if Spruell is the reason for watching.

## Biography

Sam Spruell is a British actor. Born on 9 October 1977 in Southwark, London, he studied at Hull University and made his stage debut with the Royal National Theatre. His mother is the actress Linda Broughton.

Spruell’s screen career began with the film *K-19: The Widowmaker* (2002). He has appeared in films including *Snow White and the Huntsman* (2012), *The Martian* (2015) and *Legend* (2015), and in television series such as *Fargo* (2023–2024) as Ole Munch and *The Gold* (2023) as Charlie Miller. He is married to costume designer Natalie Ward.

Upcoming roles include Stuart in the film *H Is for Hawk* (2025), Prince Maekar Targaryen in the series *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* (2026) and Mike Webster in the series *Dear England* (2026).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (20)

- *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* (2026), Fi1m 73, as Prince Maekar Targaryen — [page](https://film.one/tv/a-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms.md)
- *Dear England* (2026), Fi1m 80, as Mike Webster — [page](https://film.one/tv/dear-england.md)
- *Insidious: Out of the Further* (2026), Fi1m 55, as Cyrus Lam — [page](https://film.one/film/insidious-out-of-the-further.md)
- *The Dog Stars* (2026), Fi1m 58, as John — [page](https://film.one/film/the-dog-stars.md)
- *H Is for Hawk* (2025), Fi1m 64, as Stuart — [page](https://film.one/film/h-is-for-hawk.md)
- *The Gold* (2023), Fi1m 80, as Charlie Miller — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-gold.md)
- *Small Axe* (2020), Fi1m 88, as PC Pulley — [page](https://film.one/tv/small-axe.md)
- *Catastrophe* (2015), Fi1m 86, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/catastrophe-2015.md)
- *Legend* (2015), Fi1m 57, as Jack 'The Hat' McVitie — [page](https://film.one/film/legend-2015.md)
- *The Lady in the Van* (2015), Fi1m 64, as Another Young Man — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lady-in-the-van.md)
- *Fargo* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Ole Munch — [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *Starred Up* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Deputy Governor Haynes — [page](https://film.one/film/starred-up.md)
- *The Last Ship* (2014), Fi1m 67, as Dr. Quincy Tophet — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-last-ship.md)
- *Snow White and the Huntsman* (2012), Fi1m 52, as Finn — [page](https://film.one/film/snow-white-and-the-huntsman.md)
- *Luther* (2010), Fi1m 72, as Owen Lynch — [page](https://film.one/tv/luther.md)
- *Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll* (2010), Fi1m 65, as Kilburns' Drummer — [page](https://film.one/film/sex-and-drugs-and-rock-and-roll.md)
- *The Hurt Locker* (2008), Fi1m 86, as Contractor Charlie — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hurt-locker.md)
- *Elizabeth: The Golden Age* (2007), Fi1m 54, as Torturer — [page](https://film.one/film/elizabeth-the-golden-age.md)
- *London to Brighton* (2006), Fi1m 73, as Stuart Allen — [page](https://film.one/film/london-to-brighton.md)
- *Venus* (2006), Fi1m 72, as Hospital Director — [page](https://film.one/film/venus.md)

## Complete filmography (85)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Dog Stars* (2026), as John — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/the-dog-stars.md)
- *Insidious: Out of the Further* (2026), as Cyrus Lam — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/insidious-out-of-the-further.md)
- *Dear England* (2026), series, as Mike Webster — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/dear-england.md)
- *My Darling Family* (2026), as William
- *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* (2026), series, as Prince Maekar Targaryen — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/a-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms.md)
- *H Is for Hawk* (2025), as Stuart — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/h-is-for-hawk.md)
- *Acts of Kindness* (2025), as Nick
- *The Thing with Feathers* (2025), as Paul
- *Up the Catalogue* (2024), as Jim Kelly
- *Dune: Prophecy* (2024), series, as Horace
- *Cul-de-sac* (2024), as George · Producer
- *The Settlers* (2023), as Colonel Martin
- *The Gold* (2023), series, as Charlie Miller — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-gold.md)
- *Spinning* (2022), Director, Producer
- *The Fishing Net* (2022), Actor
- *The Hanging Sun* (2022), as Aaron
- *Scale* (2022), as Narrator (voice)
- *O, GLORY!* (2022), as Thewlis
- *The Amazing Mr. Blunden* (2021), as Bertie
- *The North Water* (2021), series, as Cavendish
- *Locked Down* (2021), as Martin
- *Small Axe* (2020), series, as PC Pulley — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/small-axe.md)
- *Sudden Light* (2020), as John
- *Oats & Barley* (2019), as Callum
- *My Boy* (2019), as Daniel
- *The Informer* (2019), as Slewitt
- *I Am...* (2019), series, as Barry
- *Outlaw King* (2018), as Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke
- *The World Is Yours* (2018), as Bruce
- *Liar* (2017), series, as Oliver Graham
- *Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets* (2017), as General Okto Bar
- *Cowboy Dave* (2017), as Cowboy Dave
- *Sand Castle* (2017), as 1st LT Anthony
- *Instruments of Darkness* (2015), as Seyton
- *The Lady in the Van* (2015), as Another Young Man — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lady-in-the-van.md)
- *The Martian* (2015), as NASA Psychologist — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-martian.md)
- *The Bastard Executioner* (2015), series, as Toran Prichard
- *Legend* (2015), as Jack 'The Hat' McVitie — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/legend-2015.md)
- *Child 44* (2015), as Doctor Tyapkin
- *Catastrophe* (2015), series, Actor — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/catastrophe-2015.md)
- *Taken 3* (2014), as Oleg Malankov
- *Good People* (2014), as Jack Witkowski
- *The Last Ship* (2014), series, as Dr. Quincy Tophet — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-last-ship.md)
- *Fargo* (2014), series, as Ole Munch — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *Give* (2014), as Jason
- *Starred Up* (2014), as Deputy Governor Haynes — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/starred-up.md)
- *The Voices* (2014), as Dave
- *The Counselor* (2013), as Wireman
- *Sixteen* (2013), as Liam
- *Mayday* (2013), series, as Steve Docker
- *Company of Heroes* (2013), as Sgt. Matherson
- *Snow White and the Huntsman* (2012), as Finn — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/snow-white-and-the-huntsman.md)
- *Eternal Law* (2012), series, Actor
- *Hello Carter* (2011), as Jake
- *Six Degrees* (2011), as Drug Dealer
- *The Runaway* (2011), series, as Jim Harvey
- *Luther* (2010), series, as Owen Lynch — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/luther.md)
- *Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll* (2010), as Kilburns' Drummer — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/sex-and-drugs-and-rock-and-roll.md)
- *Jubilee* (2009), as Phil Walker
- *Father* (2009), as Nigel
- *Defiance* (2008), as Arkady Lubczanski
- *The Hurt Locker* (2008), as Contractor Charlie — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hurt-locker.md)
- *The Fixer* (2008), series, as Connor O'Dricoll
- *Ashes to Ashes* (2008), series, as Trevor Riley — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/ashes-to-ashes.md)
- *City of Vice* (2008), series, as Lord Newcastle
- *Elizabeth: The Golden Age* (2007), as Torturer — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/elizabeth-the-golden-age.md)
- *Cherries* (2007), as Headmaster
- *Holby Blue* (2007), series, as Clive Bolland
- *Tick Tock Lullaby* (2007), as Steve
- *London to Brighton* (2006), as Stuart Allen — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/london-to-brighton.md)
- *Venus* (2006), as Hospital Director — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/venus.md)
- *The Ghost Squad* (2005), series, Actor
- *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as Swarm — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md)
- *Everything in This Country Must* (2004), as Stevie
- *P.O.W.* (2003), series, Actor
- *Rosemary & Thyme* (2003), series, as Jerome Daniels
- *To Kill a King* (2003), as King's Guard
- *Foyle's War* (2002), series, as Tommy Duggan — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/foyles-war.md)
- *K-19: The Widowmaker* (2002), as Dmitri
- *Spooks* (2002), series, as Jason Belling — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/spooks.md)
- *Blue Murder* (2001), series, Actor
- *Silent Witness* (1996), series, as Robbie Sharpe
- *Tidepools*, as Yuri
- *Oddly Flowers*, as Thoby
- *The Narrows*, as Stoker

## Gallery

- ![Sam Spruell](https://film.one/media/person/7292/gallery-a99504c62808.jpg) Sam Spruell — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Spruell](https://film.one/media/person/7292/gallery-837a126973fc.jpg) Sam Spruell — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Spruell](https://film.one/media/person/7292/gallery-11d04eb90d9d.jpg) Sam Spruell — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Spruell](https://film.one/media/person/7292/gallery-cf24424c8630.jpg) Sam Spruell — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Spruell](https://film.one/media/person/7292/gallery-6cfc2baef97f.jpg) Sam Spruell — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Spruell](https://film.one/media/person/7292/gallery-959fb81e64c0.jpg) Sam Spruell — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/sam-spruell