Samuel Anderson (born 1982) is an English actor. He portrayed Crowther in the play The History Boys and its 2006 film adaptation. His other roles include Fingers in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey (2007, 2009, 2024), Ross Kirk in the television soap opera Emmerdale (2007–2009), Danny Pink in the BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who (2014), Daniel in the Sky1 sitcom Trollied (2014–2017), William in the Netflix series Another Life (2021) and Mal in the comedy series Amandaland (2025–present).
Early life Anderson was born in Handsworth, Birmingham, to an Irish mother and Jamaican father. From early life, Anderson made it clear that he wished to pursue acting as a career. He attended Stuart Bathurst, a Catholic secondary school.
Career Anderson attended the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London before going on to originate the role of Crowther in the 2004 National Theatre production of Alan Bennett's play The History Boys. He subsequently performed the same role in the Broadway, Sydney, Wellington, and Hong Kong productions, and radio and film versions.
On television, Anderson has appeared in Hex for Sky One in 2004, and Totally Frank for Channel 4 from 2006 to 2007. In 2007, he appeared in the BBC Three comedy series Gavin & Stacey as recurring character Fingers. He made another appearance in the show in 2009 and in its 2024 Christmas special. He has also appeared in the BBC Four comedy film Stuck, and made various guest appearances in Doctors and Casualty on BBC One.
From October 2007, Anderson appeared in the ITV1 soap opera Emmerdale as Ross Kirk. His casting in the role was announced in September 2007, with Anderson stating that it was "great" to be joining "such a successful show". Emmerdale series producer Kathleen Beedles stated that Anderson was "a fantastic addition to the cast". Anderson remained a series regular in Emmerdale until January 2009, with major storylines including his character having an affair with Donna Windsor-Dingle and his wrongful imprisonment for the murder of Shane Doyle.
Anderson played Mr. Romantic in a Carte Noire coffee advertising campaign in 2011. He also featured in an advertising campaign for Ginsters in 2012. In February 2014, he had a small role in an episode of BBC drama series Death in Paradise. Also in February 2014, it was announced that Anderson had been cast as recurring character Danny Pink, a teacher at Coal Hill School, in the eighth series of Doctor Who, appearing in 11 episodes. Between 2014 and 2017, Anderson appeared in Sky1 sitcom Trollied, playing the role of Daniel. In February 2016, he appeared in the BBC One drama series Moving On. In 2017, he starred in the comedy Loaded on Channel 4.
He appeared as William in the Netflix science fiction series Another Life, which produced two seasons between 2019 and 2021, before being cancelled in February 2022.
He also appeared in Amandaland as Mal in 2025, which has been renewed for a second series.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2006 The History Boys Crowther 2009 Highlight James 2012 Betsy & Leonard Dwayne2015 Pleasure Island Nate The Lady in the Van Jehovah's Witness 2018 Genesis Robert Shorey2021 Gunpowder Milkshake David Sweetheart Steve2023 Falling into Place Lewis Embers Joe 2024 Back to Black A&R Man
Television Year Title Role Notes 2003 Doctors Tim Cartwright 2 episodes2004 The Afternoon Play Cashier / Receptionist Episode: "Sons, Daughters and Lovers" Hex Julius Episode: "Pilot: The Story Begins" 2005–2006 Totally Frank Jason 6 episodes 2007 Stuck Simon Television film 2007–2009 Emmerdale Ross Kirk Series regular 2007,2009,2024 Gavin & Stacey Fingers Recurring character2009 Doctors Gregg Wilcox Episode: "A Little of What you Fancy" Casualty Liam Episode: "Palimpsest" 2011 Doctors Roger Gently Episode: "Lasso the Moon" 2011–2016 DCI Banks DC Vince Grady 7 episodes2012 Bedlam Taylor Episode: "Dare" Casualty Kris Kingsley 3 episodes2013 Midsomer Murders Perry Stevens Episode: "Death and the Divas" The Job Lot Craig Allen Episode #1.12014 Death in Paradise Swimming Model Episode: "The Early Bird" Doctor Who Danny Pink 11 episodes 2014–2017 Trollied Daniel Wilson Series regular; 24 episodes 2016 Moving On Danny Episode: "Love" 2016–2018 Witless Patrick Main role 2017 Loaded Leon 8 episodes2019 Father Brown Alan Tylett Episode: "The Sacrifice of Tantalus" Plebs Hermes Episode "The Wedding" 2019–2021 Another Life William Main role; 20 episodes 2021 Landscapers DC Paul Wilkie Main role; 4 episodes2022 Red Rose Vinny Mason Main role; 4 episodes Mammals Dan 2 episodes2023 The Chemistry of Death DCI Mackenzie 3 episodes Murder, They Hope Samuel Episode: "Blood Actually: A 'Murder, They Hope' Mystery" 2024 Renegade Nell Sir George Horner Episode: "Stop Printing This Muck" 2025–present Amandaland Mal 7 episodes 2025 Shetland Matt Blake Regular Wolf King Broghan Voice onlyThe Walsh SistersAidan5 episodes Audio +YearTitleRoleNotes2020Eight Point Nine NineDarren Jones2020Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor ChroniclesDanny PinkEpisode: "War Wounds"2026Fork in the RoadRickEpisode: “August in Manchester”
References
External links
Samuel Anderson Profile on Samuel Anderson Profile on CAM Samuel Anderson February 2002 News Article