As the second series of Amandaland kicks off, we’re taking a look inside star Samuel Anderson’s life including his sisters’ rare health condition
Samuel Anderson is a familiar face on TV screens – but what do we know about the BBC Amandaland star?
The accomplished actor has appeared in countless hit shows over the years, ranging from iconic sitcoms like Gavin and Stacey to BBC crime dramas such as Shetland. Currently, he is playing Mal on BBC’s hit show Amandaland, alongside the likes of Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne.
However, away from the TV sets and programmes, Samuel usually keeps his private life low-key and out of the spotlight. Nonetheless, here’s everything you need to know about the talented Brummie-born star.
Samuel’s TV roles
Samuel was born in Handsworth, Birmingham, to an Irish mother and Jamaican father. He went on to hone his craft at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London.
Samuel then landed the role of Crowther in the National Theatre’s 2004 production of History Boys, where he acted alongside Gavin and Stacey co-star James Corden.
Since then, Samuel has gone on to have a stellar career, having appeared in Doctors, Hex, and The Afternoon Play. Another notable role for him is Fingers, in Gavin & Stacey, in which he shared the screen with James and Mathew Horne.
On the silver screen, Samuel starred in the 2024 Amy Winehouse biopic, Back to Black and The Lady in the Van, appearing alongside the late Dame Maggie Smith.
Samuel on Emmerdale return
Samuel has also ventured into the world of soaps, playing police officer and ladies’ man Ross Kirk on ITV’s Emmerdale. He made his debut in 2007 and during his stint his character Ross had his head turned by many women, including his married colleague Donna Dingle (Verity Rushworth).
And when asked by the Daily Record if his on-screen chemistry with Verity had spilled over into reality, Samuel shut down the romance claims. Samuel laughed: “It’s nothing like that – we’re not Emmerdale’s answer to Kylie and Jason. Verity is my landlady!”
The pair shared a house in Leeds while filming the ITV soap. Samuel explained: “Sharing the house is a good arrangement. It means we can go over our lines and I’m sure it adds to the chemistry on screen.”
However, in 2009, Samuel left the soap. In 2015, the actor teased a potential Emmerdale return. He told Daily Express: “I loved Emmerdale, that was one of my first big gigs. Everyone on that gig was lovely, I absolutely loved Emmerdale.
“Would I consider going back? Ross Kirk returns from Newcastle to the village, I love that show, yes I would. I consider it everything.”
He went on to say there is still a negative perception towards soap stars: “I don’t think a lot of people understand that when you’re an actor, to be working is – that should be priority first and foremost.”
Samuel on his brave sisters
Samuel has often kept tight-lipped about the details of his private life. The telly star doesn’t have social media and it is not known if he is dating. However, in an interview with The Sunday Times, it was revealed he doesn’t have any children.
The star has two sisters, who were reported to be 45 and 39 last year, both have a rare condition caused by variants in the PRMT7 gene. The condition led to decreased muscle tone and severe developmental delays.
Talking to The Sunday Times, Samuel revealed just how proud he is of his siblings. He also made a sad admission about their childhood, revealing that if his sisters got a “funny look” from strangers, Samuel would see “red mist”.
“They’re the oldest people alive with this condition. Normally I’m the most chilled-out person – good luck if you can offend me – but when I was younger, if people would give them a funny look or say something about them, I’d see the red mist,” Samuel said.
He added: “Now I understand it’s a lack of understanding on their part, but then…”
Amandaland airs every Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One.
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