Samuel West
Learn about Samuel West (born 19 June 1966) — the British actor, theatre director, narrator, and voice artist. His acting in Howards End, All Creatures Great and Small, and his work on stage, radio, and film make him a distinguished and versatile performer.
Introduction
Samuel Alexander Joseph West (born 19 June 1966) is an English actor, theatre director, and narrator whose career spans film, television, theatre, radio, and voice work. He commands respect for both his performances and his contributions to cultural life in Britain. From his acclaimed role in Howards End to leading the modern remake of All Creatures Great and Small, West has built a reputation as a thoughtful, skilled, and multifaceted artist.
| Year / Period | Work / Role | Highlights / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Howards End | Role of Leonard Bast; BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1998 | Rupert’s Land | Title role; Genie Award nomination |
| 2005–2007 | Artistic Director, Sheffield Theatres | Oversaw programming, direction, production leadership |
| 2009 | Enron (play) | Performed as Jeffrey Skilling; nominated for Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor |
| 2020–present | All Creatures Great and Small | Stars as Siegfried Farnon in the Channel 5 remake |
| Various years | Narration & recitals | Performed spoken texts with orchestras, audio recordings, classical recitals |
Personal & Off-Stage Life
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Samuel West has been in a long-term partnership with playwright Laura Wade. Together they have two daughters.
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He has been openly political, for example opposing the Iraq War and expressing skepticism about certain New Labour policies. He was affiliated with left-wing politics in his younger years (e.g. involvement with Socialist workers) though his public identity remains primarily cultural.
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Among his personal interests, West is an avid birdwatcher and a passionate advocate for cultural institutions, frequently speaking about the importance of funding and sustaining the arts.
Legacy & Influence
Samuel West occupies a place among the generation of British actors who bridge classical theatre traditions and modern media. His versatility—in acting, direction, narration—makes him a kind of artistic polymath.
He helps sustain the continuity of British cultural institutions (theatre, radio, classical music) by contributing not only as performer but as a public voice urging support and engagement. His family lineage also connects him to a tradition of British stage and screen.
Emerging actors often look to figures like West as models for how to balance commercial work with artistic integrity, how to maintain classical training while branching into screen and voice mediums, and how to use public platform for advocacy beyond performance.