You know that face. Maybe you recognize him as the guy who finally gave Clara Oswald a reason to stay on Earth in Doctor Who, or perhaps you've seen him playing a detective alongside Olivia Colman. Samuel Anderson has one of those careers that sneaks up on you. One minute he’s a background character in a cult classic, and the next, he’s the emotional heartbeat of a massive sci-fi franchise.
Honestly, he’s a bit of a chameleon. Born in Handsworth, Birmingham, back in 1982, he didn't just stumble into acting. He was part of the original stage cast of The History Boys. Yeah, the Alan Bennett play that basically launched every British actor under 40. He played Crowther, and when they turned it into a movie in 2006, he stayed on. But let’s be real: most people just want to talk about the teacher with the tragic ending.
Samuel Anderson Movies and TV Shows: Why Danny Pink Divided the Fandom
We have to start with the elephant in the room. When you look at Samuel Anderson movies and tv shows, the role of Danny Pink in Doctor Who is the one that sparks the most heated debates on Reddit.
He joined the show in 2014 as the "normal" guy. A math teacher at Coal Hill School. An ex-soldier with a bit of a chip on his shoulder about "officers." Fans were... conflicted. Some people thought he was too stiff, but they missed the point. He was supposed to be the grounded counter-balance to the Twelfth Doctor’s (Peter Capaldi) alien arrogance.
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His chemistry with Jenna Coleman was actually pretty sweet, in a "two people trying to live a normal life while a blue box keeps crashing into it" sort of way. His death in "Dark Water" and subsequent transformation into a Cyberman—where he eventually sacrifices his own resurrection to save a child—is arguably one of the most depressing arcs in modern Who history. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that Anderson nailed the "soldier with PTSD" vibe before it was a common trope in the series.
The Netflix Era: Another Life and AI Soul
After the TARDIS, Anderson headed to space again, but this time for Netflix. In Another Life (2019–2021), he played William.
Now, William wasn't human. He was the holographic interface of the ship’s AI. Anderson has mentioned in interviews that he looked at Pinocchio for inspiration. He wanted to play the AI not as a cold robot, but as a child growing up at light speed. It was a weirdly tender performance in a show that was mostly about people screaming at aliens.
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Beyond the Sci-Fi: The Comedy and Crime Years
If you only know him from space stuff, you're missing out on his best work. Anderson has a natural "lad" energy that works perfectly in British comedies.
- Trollied (2014-2017): He played Daniel, the deputy store manager. If you've ever worked retail, this show hits a little too close to home.
- Loaded (2017): This was a criminally underrated Channel 4 series about four friends who sell their video game company for millions. Anderson played Leon, the guy who immediately buys a Ferrari and tries to tick off a bucket list he wrote when he was thirteen. It’s hilarious and deeply sad at the same time.
- Gavin & Stacey: Don't blink or you'll miss him as "Fingers." He was there at the start and even popped back up for the 2024 special. It’s a tiny role, but it shows his longevity in the UK industry.
Landscapers and Modern Drama
In 2021, he showed up in Landscapers. This wasn't just another TV show; it was an HBO/Sky prestige drama starring Olivia Colman and David Thewlis. Anderson played DC Paul Wilkie.
The show is a surreal, "true crime" retelling of the Mansfield murders. Anderson’s job was basically to be the straight man to the bizarre, cinematic fantasies of the murderers. It’s a very different vibe from his earlier stuff—sharper, more clinical, and it proved he could hold his own against Oscar winners.
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What’s Happening in 2026?
As of right now, Samuel Anderson is busier than ever. He’s joined the cast of Shetland as Matt Blake, the new procurator fiscal. It’s a big move. Shetland is one of those shows that viewers take very seriously, so stepping into that world after the departure of long-term characters is a bold play.
He’s also been working on Amandaland, a spin-off of the hit comedy Motherland. He plays Mal, and given how much people love that universe, it’s likely to be his next big mainstream hit.
Why He Still Matters
Samuel Anderson isn't a "movie star" in the Tom Cruise sense. He’s a "working actor" who happens to be incredibly good at making you care about characters who are a bit broken. Whether he's a soldier-turned-teacher or a millionaire with daddy issues, there’s always a layer of vulnerability.
Most people get him wrong by thinking he’s just a "supporting guy." But if you look at his trajectory—from the Royal National Theatre to Netflix leads—he’s actually one of the most consistent British actors of his generation.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to see the full range of Samuel Anderson’s talent, start with these specific episodes or films to see the transition:
- Watch "Listen" (Doctor Who, Season 8): This is where you see the real chemistry between him and Jenna Coleman. It's the best episode for understanding Danny Pink.
- Stream "Loaded" (Channel 4/AMC): Watch the first episode just to see him play the "new money" arrogance. It’s a complete 180 from his sci-fi roles.
- Check out "The History Boys" (2006): It’s a piece of British cultural history. Seeing a young Samuel Anderson alongside Dominic Cooper and James Corden is a trip.
- Follow the Shetland "Matt Blake" Arc: If you're into British procedurals, his entry into the series in 2025/2026 is a masterclass in joining an established ensemble without disrupting the flow.