--- name: "Samuel West" canonical: "https://film.one/person/samuel-west" fi1m_id: "samuel-west" imdb_id: "nm0922335" tmdb_id: 54447 wikidata_id: "Q1389078" roles: ["Actor"] born: "19 June 1966" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 78 average_as: "actor" average_over: 9 updated: "2026-10-07T16:25:16.264348+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." --- # Samuel West ## Identity Samuel West - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/samuel-west - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** samuel-west - **IMDb ID:** nm0922335 - **TMDB ID:** 54447 - **Wikidata ID:** Q1389078 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_West, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1389078, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0922335/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/54447 Actor. Born 19 June 1966 in Hammersmith, London, England, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 19 June 1966, Hammersmith, London, England, UK - **Active:** 1992–present - **Also known as:** Sam West, Samuel Alexander Joseph West, ساموئل وست - **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 9 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 82 (3), 2010s 72 (4), 2020s 85 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 74 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 8, Romance 4, History 2, Comedy 1, Crime 1, Mystery 1 - **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $549m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_West, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1389078, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0922335/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/54447 ## Streaming the US now - **BritBox:** [*Persuasion*](https://film.one/film/persuasion.md) (84) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Howards End*](https://film.one/film/howards-end.md) (84) - **The Roku Channel:** [*Any Human Heart*](https://film.one/tv/any-human-heart.md) (73) - **Netflix:** [*On Chesil Beach*](https://film.one/film/on-chesil-beach.md) (65) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Samuel West > Samuel West broke through as the one poor man in a film full of comfortable people, then spent much of the next thirty years playing the comfortable people. He does it well, and the stage suggests there is more than the screen has asked for. Leonard Bast, in *Howards End* (1992), is the one person in the film who cannot afford to have opinions, and Samuel West plays him in a story full of people who can afford nothing else. Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson get the talk; West gets the consequences. We felt for him more than for anyone else on screen, which is what the film needs: our review called him important to the balance, because sympathy cannot stop with those who can afford to be sympathetic. It was his breakthrough, and it is worth noticing that it was against type before he had a type. He had been on television since the late 1970s and early 1980s, and after Bast the screen work settled into supporting parts through the 1990s and 2000s, *Notting Hill* (1999) and *Van Helsing* among them, usually as the well-spoken man of some education standing slightly to one side of the plot. Period pieces and literary adaptations kept asking for him. The one criticism that attaches to his name is that he has been asked for the same thing rather often, and it is hard to argue with. *Darkest Hour* (2017) is the type in full dress. He plays Sir Anthony Eden in a film we found impossible to look away from whenever Gary Oldman was in the frame, and stubborn about making the same point six times without once asking whether Churchill might be wrong. Our review did not single West out, and that is not a slight. The film has one subject and Oldman is playing it; everyone else is there to react, and West does what the part allows, which is not a great deal. The stage has been kinder. He has played Hamlet and Richard II for the RSC, which is to say the parts the whole evening is about, and his recent work there, in *Twelfth Night* (2024), has been in the comic vein the screen rarely lets him near. Television has begun to catch up: Siegfried Farnon in *All Creatures Great and Small* (from 2020) has given him a lead that people recognise him from, and *Slow Horses* (from 2022) a recurring part in something sharper. He also directs for the theatre, and once said of himself, "Shakespeare I love, but for an English graduate, I'm incredibly badly read." We suspect he is being modest about the second half of that. If you know him only as the vet, go back to Bast. It is still the best case for what the screen has mostly declined to ask of him. ## Biography Samuel West is an English actor, theatre director and narrator. Born on 19 June 1966 in Hammersmith, London, he is the son of actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales, and grandson of actor Lockwood West. He studied English literature at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. West received a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Leonard Bast in the 1992 Merchant Ivory film *Howards End*. His other film credits include *Notting Hill* (1999), *Van Helsing* (2004), *Suffragette* (2015), *Darkest Hour* (2017) and voice work as Pongo in *101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure* (2003). On television he has appeared in *The Crown* (2016) as Anthony Blunt, *Slow Horses* (2022–) as Peter Judd, and as Siegfried Farnon in the Channel 5 series *All Creatures Great and Small* (2020–). West has directed for stage and radio, narrated documentaries and performed as a reciter with orchestras. He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for his stage role in *Enron* (2010). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (9) - *Slow Horses* (2022), Fi1m 82, as Peter Judd — [page](https://film.one/tv/slow-horses.md) - *Small Axe* (2020), Fi1m 88, as Mr. Hill — [page](https://film.one/tv/small-axe.md) - *On Chesil Beach* (2018), Fi1m 65, as Geoffrey Ponting — [page](https://film.one/film/on-chesil-beach.md) - *Darkest Hour* (2017), Fi1m 66, as Sir Anthony Eden — [page](https://film.one/film/darkest-hour.md) - *The Hollow Crown* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Bishop of Winchester — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md) - *Any Human Heart* (2010), Fi1m 73, as Peter Scabius (Older) — [page](https://film.one/tv/any-human-heart.md) - *Notting Hill* (1999), Fi1m 78, as Anna's Co-Star — [page](https://film.one/film/notting-hill.md) - *Persuasion* (1995), Fi1m 84, as Mr. Elliot — [page](https://film.one/film/persuasion.md) - *Howards End* (1992), Fi1m 84, as Leonard Bast — [page](https://film.one/film/howards-end.md) ## Complete filmography (116) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Tubular Bells 50th Anniversary Tour* (2022), as Master of Ceremonies - *The Midwich Cuckoos* (2022), series, as Bernard Westcott - *Slow Horses* (2022), series, as Peter Judd — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/slow-horses.md) - *Small Axe* (2020), series, as Mr. Hill — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/small-axe.md) - *Gatecrash* (2020), as Policeman - *All Creatures Great & Small* (2020), series, as Siegfried Farnon - *The Gentlemen* (2020), as Lord Pressfield - *Trust* (2018), series, as Professor Talbot - *On Chesil Beach* (2018), as Geoffrey Ponting — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/on-chesil-beach.md) - *Darkest Hour* (2017), as Sir Anthony Eden — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/darkest-hour.md) - *Spying on the Royals* (2017), series, as Narrator (voice) - *Edouard VIII, espionnage et liaisons dangereuses* (2017), series, as Narrator - *The Crown* (2016), series, as Anthony Blunt — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-crown.md) - *Westworld* (2016), series, as Security Guard — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/westworld-2016.md) - *All the world's a stage* (2016), as Narrator (voice) - *The Frankenstein Chronicles* (2015), series, as Sir William Chester - *Suffragette* (2015), as Benedict Haughton - *Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell* (2015), series, as Sir Walter Pole - *Inside the Court of Henry VIII* (2015), as Narrator - *The Eichmann Show* (2015), as Narrator - *The Riot Club* (2014), as Tutor - *Operation Stonehenge: What Lies Beneath* (2014), series, as Narrator - *If I Don't Come Home: Letters from D-Day* (2014), as Norman Skinner - *Secrets of Underground London* (2014), as Narrator - *The Crimson Field* (2014), series, as Elliot Vincent - *Faberge: A Life of Its Own* (2014), as Narrator - *W1A* (2014), series, as Richard Cartwright - *Fleming* (2014), series, as Rear Admiral John Godfrey - *Operation Stonehenge: What Lies Beneath* (2014), as Host - *Tutankhamun: The Mystery of the Burnt Mummy* (2013), as Narrator - *Secrets of the Tower of London* (2013), as Narrator - *Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace: Hampton Court* (2013), as Narrator (voice) - *Mr Selfridge* (2013), series, as Frank Edwards - *Moominland Tales: The Life of Tove Jansson* (2012), as Narrator (voice) - *Wikileaks: Secrets and Lies* (2012), as Narrator (voice) - *Hyde Park on Hudson* (2012), as Bertie - *The Hollow Crown* (2012), series, as Bishop of Winchester — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md) - *Secrets of the Manor House* (2012), as Narrator - *Eternal Law* (2012), series, as Zak Gist - *King George and Queen Mary: The Royals Who Rescued the Monarchy* (2012), series, as Narrator (Voice) - *First Man on the Moon* (2012), as Narrator (Voice UK) - *Hitler's Children* (2011), as Narrator (voice) (uncredited) - *Death in Paradise* (2011), series, as Donald McCormack - *Wallis Simpson: The Secret Letters* (2011), as Narrator - *Any Human Heart* (2010), series, as Peter Scabius (Older) — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/any-human-heart.md) - *Dark Relic* (2010), as Friar George - *Albert Schweitzer* (2009), as Phil Figgis - *The Blood of the Rose* (2009), as Narrator - *Garrow's Law* (2009), series, as Thomas Erskine - *Desperate Romantics* (2009), series, Actor - *The Maharajas' Motor Car: The Story of Rolls-Royce in India* (2009), as Narrator - (Voice) - *World War Two: Behind Closed Doors* (2008), series, as narrator - *Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley* (2008), as Ted Heath - *Random Quest* (2006), as Colin - *Einstein's Big Idea* (2005), as Humphry Davy - *After the War: Conquering Germany* (2005), as Narrator - *Namibia: Genocide and the Second Reich* (2005), as Narrator (voice) - *Auschwitz: The Nazis and the Final Solution* (2005), series, as Narrator - *Ring of the Nibelungs* (2004), series, as Gunther - *Ring of the Nibelungs* (2004), as Gunther - *Van Helsing* (2004), as Dr. Victor Frankenstein - *Cambridge Spies* (2003), series, as Anthony Blunt - *101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure* (2003), as Pongo (voice) - *Foyle's War* (2002), series, as Lt. Col. James Wintringham — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/foyles-war.md) - *The Inspector Lynley Mysteries* (2002), series, as Tony Wainwright - *Iris* (2001), as Young Maurice - *The Private Life of a Masterpiece* (2001), series, as Narrator - *Pandaemonium* (2001), as Robert Southey - *Waking the Dead* (2001), series, as Thomas Rice - *Nero's Golden House* (2001), as Narrator - *Bread and Roses* (2000), as Party Guest (uncredited) - *Complicity* (2000), as Neil - *Longitude* (2000), as Nevil Maskelyne - *Longitude* (2000), series, as Nevil Maskelyne - *Runt* (1999), as Pork - *In Excess: The Death of Michael Hutchence* (1999), as Narrator (voice) - *Battle of the Sexes - In the Animal World* (1999), series, as Narrator - *Notting Hill* (1999), as Anna's Co-Star — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/notting-hill.md) - *Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters* (1999), as Major Edrington - *War of the Century - When Hitler Fought Stalin* (1999), as Narrator - *The Dance of Shiva* (1998), as Lieutenant Davies - *Hornblower* (1998), series, as Major Edrington - *Rupert's Land* (1998), as Rupert McKay - *Stiff Upper Lips* (1998), as Edward - *I Hate Christmas Too* (1997), as Soldier - *The Ripper* (1997), as Prince Albert Victor Edward - *Danielle Steel's Zoya* (1997), as Nicolai - *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Jeremy Thacker, James Oswood — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md) - *Strangers* (1996), series, as Simon - *Over Here* (1996), series, as Archie Bunting - *Jane Eyre* (1996), as St John Rivers - *Heavy Weather* (1995), as 'Monty' Bodkin - *Carrington* (1995), as Gerald Brenan - *Persuasion* (1995), as Mr. Elliot — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/persuasion.md) - *The Vacillations of Poppy Carew* (1995), as Victor - *Open Fire* (1994), as Stephen Waldorf - *A Feast at Midnight* (1994), as Chef - *A Breed of Heroes* (1994), as Lt. Charles Thoroughgood - *Doctor Who: Dimensions in Time* (1993), as Cyrian - *The Maitlands* (1993), as Jack Maitland - *Archipel* (1993), as Alan Stewart - *Voices in the Garden* (1993), as Mark - *Howards End* (1992), as Leonard Bast — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/howards-end.md) - *As Time Goes By* (1992), series, as Terry - *Stanley and the Women* (1991), series, as Stephen Duke - *Performance* (1991), series, as Jack Maitland - *The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian & The Voyage of the Dawn Treader* (1989), as King Caspian - *Screen One* (1989), series, as Lt. Charles Thoroughgood - *Reunion* (1989), as Count Konradin von Lohenburg - *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as Dr Constantine — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md) - *The Chronicles of Narnia* (1988), series, as King Caspian - *Frankie and Johnnie* (1986), as Johnnie Mallett - *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Mark - *NOVA* (1974), series, as Humphry Davy - *The Book of Water*, as Narrator/Geiser - *Time & Tide - A Trilogy*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Samuel West](https://film.one/media/person/80460/gallery-39fc42e76ed6.jpg) Samuel West — Garry Knight, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Samuel_West_at_%22No_Glory%22_protest%2C_London%2C_4th_August_2014.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Sam West -London, England. He signs to pledge support to The Convention on Modern Liberty at the start of a campaign. The launch took place at The Foreign Press (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/80460/gallery-3e803c3de34b.jpg) Sam West -London, England. He signs to pledge support to The Convention on Modern Liberty at the start of a campaign. The launch took place at The Foreign Press (2009) — Guy Aitchison from London, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Sam_West_-London%2C_England-15Jan2010.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Samuel West (1850)](https://film.one/media/person/80460/gallery-ac92758b7984.jpg) Samuel West (1850) — Samuel West, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Samuel_West_%28c.1810-after_1881%29_%28attributed_to%29_-_James_Breeds_Junior_-_HASMG-993.89_-_Hastings_Museum_and_Art_Gallery.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Samuel West (1830)](https://film.one/media/person/80460/gallery-8e0c834908f6.jpg) Samuel West (1830) — Samuel West, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Samuel_West_%28c.1810-after_1881%29_-_Marianne_Barnfather_Eagles_as_a_Young_Woman_-_HASMG-980.120_-_Hastings_Museum_and_Art_Gallery.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Samuel West](https://film.one/media/person/80460/gallery-0035e2a60774.jpg) Samuel West — Image via TMDB - ![Samuel West](https://film.one/media/person/80460/gallery-0ffbed7622f5.jpg) Samuel West — Image via TMDB - ![Samuel West (1830)](https://film.one/media/person/80460/gallery-6319b0c18447.jpg) Samuel West (1830) — Samuel West, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Samuel_West_%28c.1810-after_1881%29_-_William_Barnfather_Eagles_as_a_Young_Man_-_HASMG-980.119_-_Hastings_Museum_and_Art_Gallery.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Samuel West](https://film.one/media/person/80460/gallery-ccd7db623762.jpg) Samuel West — Samuel West, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Samuel_West_-_Alexander_Seton_%281806-1884%29%2C_f%C3%B6dd_i_Skottland%2C_verksam_i_Sverige_och_Skottland%2C_gods%C3%A4gare%2C_g.m._1._M_-_NMGrh_5077_-_Nationalmuseum.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) --- © 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/samuel-west