Sam Claflin

Sam Claflin
Claflin in 2014
Born
Samuel George Claflin

(1986-06-27) 27 June 1986 (age 38)
Ipswich, Suffolk, England
Alma materLondon Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
OccupationActor
Years active2010–present
Spouse
(m. 2013; sep. 2019)
Children2

Samuel George Claflin (/ˈklæflɪn/; born 27 June 1986) is a British actor. After graduating from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2009, he began his acting career on television and had his first film role as Philip Swift in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011).

Claflin gained wider recognition for playing Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games film series (2013–2015) and for his starring role in the romantic film Me Before You (2016). He has since starred in the films Adrift (2018) and The Nightingale (2018), and portrayed Oswald Mosley in the television series Peaky Blinders (2019–2022), Mycroft Holmes in the mystery film Enola Holmes (2020), and singer Billy Dunne in the musical drama series Daisy Jones & the Six (2023). The last of these earned him a nomination for a Golden Globe Award.

Early life

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Claflin was born in Ipswich, Suffolk,[1] to Mark, a finance officer, and Sue Claflin (née Clarke), a teaching assistant. He has two older brothers, Benjamin and Daniel, and a younger brother, Joseph (born 1989), who is also an actor.[2] He grew up in Norwich, Norfolk.[3]

As a child, he had an interest in football. He played throughout his childhood until he broke his ankle, an injury that he felt would prevent him from playing professionally. After some persuasion from his parents and a teacher upon whom he had made an impression during his high school play at Costessey High School, he pursued acting.[1][4]

A member of the Norwich City School of Excellence,[5] in 2003, he took up Performing Arts at Norwich City College.[4] Claflin subsequently graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2009.[6]

Career

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Beginnings and breakthrough (2010–2015)

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Claflin made his acting debut in 2010, when he appeared in two television miniseries—in The Pillars of the Earth as Richard and in Any Human Heart as young Logan Mountstuart. In March 2011, he was cast as Thomas in Seventh Son, a film adaptation of The Spook's Apprentice,[7] but was dropped for unknown reasons and was replaced by Ben Barnes.[8] His next appearance came in April 2011, when he portrayed footballer Duncan Edwards in the BBC TV drama United, which was centred on the events of the 1958 Munich air disaster, in which Edwards died as a result of his injuries.

In April 2010, he was cast as Philip Swift, a missionary who falls in love with the mermaid Syrena (portrayed by Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey), in 2011's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. For the film, he received a nomination in the 17th Empire Awards for "Best Male Newcomer."[9] In 2012, he appeared as Jack in the six-episode miniseries White Heat. Later that year, he played a supporting role in the 2012 film Snow White and the Huntsman, as William, Snow White's childhood friend. He received a nomination in the 2012 Teen Choice Awards for the category "Best Movie Breakout". Also in 2012, he was cast in the lead role in Hammer Films' The Quiet Ones, which was filmed in mid-2013 and was released in April 2014.[10]

On 22 August 2012, Lionsgate announced that Claflin had been cast as Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games film series, starting with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.[11][12] The director of Catching Fire, Francis Lawrence, stated of Claflin's performance during filming: "Finnick's an interesting character. At first he feels like a bit of a flirt and there's a little bit of sexual tension, but really you kind of fall in love with the guy and you see that there's a real deep emotional side to him. It's one of the reasons I really hired him in the first place was that it's where his character goes in the next couple of stories and I just think he did a fantastic job."[13] The film was released in November 2013 to general acclaim and Claflin's portrayal of Finnick received positive reviews.[14][15] Claflin reprised the role in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, released in November 2014, and Part 2, released in November 2015.[16]

In February 2013, it was announced that Claflin was cast as Alex in the film adaptation of Cecelia Ahern's novel Where Rainbows End, distributed as Love, Rosie in some territories.[17] The following month, he starred in the TV film Mary and Martha as Ben, which was broadcast by BBC One.[18] He received critical acclaim for his role as Oxford University student Alistair Ryle in the British dramatic thriller The Riot Club with Charlotte O'Sullivan of the London Evening Standard saying "Claflin captures his character's vitriol very well" and Laura Dibdin of Digital Spy saying "Claflin brings intrigue and vulnerability to offset the sense of entitlement thus making Alistair the film's most fascinating character". In 2014, Claflin also starred alongside Lily Collins and Suki Waterhouse in the romantic comedy drama film Love, Rosie, which was released to mixed reviews from critics but became a success among audiences.

From Me Before You to independent films and television (2016–present)

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In 2016, Claflin reprised his role as William, Snow White's childhood friend, in several scenes of the sequel The Huntsman: Winter's War. The same year, he starred in Me Before You, the film adaptation of the novel of the same name, in which he played William Traynor.[19] Claflin gained further critical acclaim for his role of Captain Stanhope in the war drama Journey's End (2017) and Adrift (2018).

In 2018, Claflin joined the fifth season of the BBC television drama Peaky Blinders, as the British fascist politician Oswald Mosley.[20] He starred in The Corrupted in 2019.[21][22] In September 2020, he co-starred in the Netflix original film Enola Holmes as Mycroft Holmes, elder brother of the title character.

In 2023, Claflin played Billy Dunne in Daisy Jones & the Six. Based on the book of the same name, it follows the story of a rock band in the 1970s, and premiered on Amazon Prime Video on 3 March 2023.[23] Claflin performed vocals on Aurora, the fictional album recorded by the band, which was released on 1 March 2023. He is set to star in an Italian-British television adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's novel The Count of Monte-Cristo (1844–1846).[24]

Personal life

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In 2011, Claflin started dating actress Laura Haddock,[25] whom he had met in an audition for My Week with Marilyn. The two married in July 2013 in a private ceremony.[26][27][28] They have a son (b. 2015), and a daughter (b. 2018).[29][30] On 20 August 2019, Claflin and Haddock announced their legal separation.[31]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2011 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Philip Swift
2012 Snow White and the Huntsman William
2013 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Finnick Odair
2014 The Quiet Ones Brian McNeil
The Riot Club Alistair Ryle
Love, Rosie Alex Stewart
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 Finnick Odair
2015 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 Finnick Odair
2016 The Huntsman: Winter's War William Cameo
Me Before You Will Traynor
Their Finest Tom Buckley
2017 My Cousin Rachel Philip Ashley
Journey's End Captain Stanhope
2018 Adrift Richard Sharp
The Nightingale Lieutenant Hawkins
2019 The Corrupted Liam McDonagh
Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs Merlin Voice
Charlie's Angels Alexander Brok
2020 Love Wedding Repeat Jack
Enola Holmes Mycroft Holmes
2021 Every Breath You Take James Flagg
Last Night in Soho Young Det. Lindsey (Punter #5) Cameo
Charlotte Alex Nagler Voice
2022 Book of Love Henry Copper
2023 The One Note Man Executive producer; short film
2024 Bagman Patrick McKee

Television

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Key
Denotes series that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
2010 The Pillars of the Earth Richard of Kingsbridge Miniseries; 8 episodes
The Lost Future Kaleb Television film
Any Human Heart Young Logan Mountstuart Miniseries; 4 episodes
2011 United Duncan Edwards Television film
2012 White Heat Young Jack Walsh Miniseries; 6 episodes
2013 Mary and Martha Ben Television film
2019–2022 Peaky Blinders Sir Oswald Mosley Main role
2023 Daisy Jones & the Six Billy Dunne Miniseries
2024 The Count of Monte Cristo Edmond Dantès
TBA Lazarus Laz Filming[32]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result
2012 Empire Awards Best Male Newcomer Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie: Breakout Snow White and the Huntsman Nominated
2014 Empire Awards Best Supporting Actor The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Nominated
MTV Movie Awards Best Shirtless Performance Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie: Scene Stealer Nominated
Glamour Awards Man of the Year Himself Won
2016 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie: Liplock (shared with Emilia Clarke) Me Before You Nominated
2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards Tearjerker (with Emilia Clarke)[33] Nominated
2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Kiss (with Riley Keogh)[34] Daisy Jones & the Six Nominated
2024 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Nominated[35]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Sam Claflin Biography". Biography.com. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  2. ^ "Anything you can do... – Rising star Joe aims to follow in brother Sam Claflin's footsteps – News – Norwich Evening News". Eveningnews24.co.uk. 25 August 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  3. ^ Myers, Marc (28 February 2023). "'Daisy Jones & the Six' Sparked Sam Claflin's Love for Los Angeles". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  4. ^ a b Walsh, Peter (20 November 2010). "Former Costessey pupil lands major Manchester United film role". Norwich Evening News. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Film star wanted to play football for Norwich City". Eveningnews24.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  6. ^ Cornet, Roth (11 May 2011). "Interview: Sam Claflin Talks 'Snow White and the Huntsman'". ScreenRant.com. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  7. ^ Kroll, Justin (31 March 2011). "'Seventh Son' finds young leads". Variety. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  8. ^ Fleming, Mike (24 June 2011). "Ben Barnes Lands Lead Opposite Jeff Bridges In Warner Bros' 'Seventh Son'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Best Male Newcomer". Empire. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  10. ^ Kemp, Stuart (11 May 2012). "Sam Claflin Signs up for 'The Quiet Ones'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  11. ^ Ng, Philiana (22 August 2012). "'Catching Fire' Casts Sam Claflin as Finnick". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  12. ^ Johnson, Zach (22 August 2012). "Sam Claflin Cast as Finnick in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire". Us Weekly. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  13. ^ Bentley, Josh; Josh Horowitz (21 July 2013). "'Catching Fire': How Sam Claflin Captured Finnick's 'Sexual Tension'". MTV. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  14. ^ "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  15. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (22 November 2013). "Review: 'Catching Fire' smoothly exciting". CNN. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  16. ^ Morris, Christopher (4 December 2013). "Hunger Games: Mockingjay shooting site under construction". Yahoo. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  17. ^ "Cecelia Ahern's 'Love, Rosie' To Be Adapted – GalleyCat". Mediabistro.com. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  18. ^ Danny Cohen, Controller, BBC One (17 July 2012). "Media Centre – Hilary Swank and Brenda Blethyn to star in new film for BBC One". BBC. Retrieved 21 November 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Geier, Thom (7 May 2015). "Sam Claflin Returns for 'The Huntsman' Without Kristen Stewart's Snow White". TheWrap. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  20. ^ "Hunger Games star Sam Claflin joins cast of Peaky Blinders". The Telegraph. 19 October 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  21. ^ Vlessing, Etan (5 February 2018). "Berlin: Sam Claflin Joins Timothy Spall in 'The Corrupted' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  22. ^ Clarke, Stewart (16 March 2018). "Noel Clarke Joins Sam Claflin in Crime Thriller 'The Corrupted' (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  23. ^ Lind, Emily Alyn (21 February 2023). "Billy Dunne will be played by Sam Claflin in Daisy Jones & The Six". Next TV Series. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  24. ^ Warner, Sam (8 August 2023). "Peaky Blinders' Sam Claflin has period drama makeover filming new TV series". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  25. ^ "Sam Claflin: "I'm very gentlemanly"". Yahoo. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  26. ^ "Sam Claflin, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" star, marries Laura Haddock". CBS News. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  27. ^ "Sam Claflin, Hunger Games Star, Marries Actress Laura Haddock in Private Ceremony". 1 August 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  28. ^ Cumming, Ed (25 October 2015). "Sam Claflin: 'I hate being offered heart-throb after heart-throb'". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  29. ^ "Sam Claflin and Laura Haddock Welcome First Child". People. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  30. ^ Juneau, Jen; Leon, Anya (7 February 2018). "Sam Claflin and Laura Haddock Welcome Second Child". People. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  31. ^ Boucher, Ashley (19 August 2019). "Sam Claflin and Wife Laura Haddock Announce Separation After 6 Years of Marriage". People. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  32. ^ Seddon, Dan (16 February 2024). "Harlan Coben's new show gets first look at cast filming". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  33. ^ Johnson, Zach (6 April 2017). "Guardians of the Galaxy Lands 7 MTV Movie Awards Nominations". E!. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  34. ^ Petski, Denise (5 April 2023). "'MTV Movie & TV Awards': 'Top Gun: Maverick', 'Stranger Things', 'The Last Of Us' Lead 2023 Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  35. ^ "Winners & Nominees". Golden Globes. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
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