Interview by Tristan Dyer
Talk to AVER about what provoked your passion to pursue acting and the early days of your career.
Honestly, I was a bit of a problem at school and found drama to be an immense outlet. I wasn’t even aware I was able to study solely performing arts, and when I realised I was able to put all my time and effort into something I cared about, it was a no-brainer. I left school to go to college and, fortunately, got into Drama School after that.
When selecting a role, what are the main aspects you consider and what type of roles are you gravitated to?
I’m really drawn to what I call three-dimensional characters—characters that are more than one thing, complex, that come off the page. So, I suppose great writing is ultimately my biggest pull to a project.
Photo by Sergei Sarakhanov
What is the driving force behind how you embody a character and how do you tap into that magic?
I really just try to get to know the characters without judging them. Whether they’re deemed as a protagonist or an antagonist, it’s about understanding why they do the things they do and not labelling them. I find only then can I portray a character as authentically as possible.
Who were your role models growing up and is there a specific actor that you are keen to work with in the future?
My parents were my greatest role models growing up. They both worked long hours to provide for my sisters and me, and ultimately when push came to shove, they gave me an opportunity to pursue my dream. I’ll always be grateful to them for that. I think Joseph Quinn is a beautifully transformative actor, and I would love to have the opportunity to work with him.
Photo by Sergei Sarakhanov
Do you have particular tactics to channel your nerves before you head to set?
Preparation is key. Nerves are good if you are prepped because they can be channelled, and you have the work to fall back on. My advice for dispelling nerves is to prep, prep, prep…then drop the prep.
With Amy Winehouse having such a complex and intense life, what were the challenges when playing her first manager, Nick Shymansky, in her gravitating biopic ‘Back to Black’?
We all wanted to tell Amy’s story as honestly and respectfully as possible. So, for me, it was about trying to understand Nick and Amy’s friendship in all its complexities and delivering that on screen with Marisa. It was a privilege to be involved in telling her story.
Photo by Sergei Sarakhanov
What are some of your hobbies and do you have any passion projects in the works?
I love sport—always have. Football was my game growing up, but I also played rugby and boxed. I’m grateful to have grown up in the ‘90s and early 2000s where spare time was spent playing ‘out the front’ with mates in our little cul-de-sac street.
Do you feel a sense of inherited responsibility and pressure being in the limelight to be a respectable role model?
Absolutely. I hope people can watch my work and be interested or intrigued. If I could have a hand in inspiring anyone, I’d count myself as immensely lucky.
Photo courtesy of BBC
What would your words of wisdom and two cents be to the younger generation embarking on a career in the industry?
I’d say take any opportunity you have to act. With everything project you do, big or small, you will gain experience, meet future friends and colleagues, and learn something. As actors, we never stop learning. Stay curious.
What does the future look like for Sam Buchanan and what can the audience expect in the upcoming years?
Hopefully you’ll be seeing a lot of me! I have a few exciting projects in the works, and my latest release will be ‘Just Act Normal’, a brilliant dark comedy-drama on BBC3 and iPlayer coming soon. I can’t wait to share that work with everyone.
Sam Buchanan - Represented by CLD Communications
Photographer Sergei Sarakhanov @sarakhanov
Wardrobe Stylist Bethany Knight @bethanyknight_stylist
Grooming Jody Taylor @jodytaylorhair
