Samuel Bottomley (born 14 June 2001) is an English actor. He began his career as a child actor, making his acting debut in the drama film Tyrannosaur (2011). After starring as Brandon Kelleher on the CBBC children's series Rocket's Island (2014–2015), he portrayed Jordan Wilson on the Channel 4 school drama Ackley Bridge (2017–2018). He then appeared in Kiss Me First (2018), Ladhood (2019–2022), the film adaptation of Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2021) and Somewhere Boy (2022).

Bottomley has since appeared in projects including How to Have Sex (2023), The Last Rifleman (2023), Coldwater (2025) and Anemone (2025). He also starred as Billy "Silibil" Boyd in the biographical musical film California Schemin' (2025).

Early life

Bottomley was born on 14 June 2001 in Wibsey, Bradford. He attended Lightcliffe Academy. Bottomley was a member of the Buttershaw St Paul's Amateur Operatic Dramatic Society.

Career

At the age of nine, Bottomley made his professional acting debut in the 2011 drama film Tyrannosaur. He then appeared in the 2012 film Private Peaceful as the younger version of Tommo.

In 2014, Bottomley began portraying Brandon in the CBBC series Rocket's Island, a role he portrayed until 2015. From 2017 to 2018, Bottomley portrayed Jordan Wilson in the Channel 4 school drama Ackley Bridge. In 2019, he starred in the comedy film Get Duked! as Ian. In the same year, he began starring in the iPlayer series Ladhood as Ralph Roberts. In 2021, he starred in the film Everybody's Talking About Jamie, in the role of Dean Paxton. Also in 2021, Bottomley was cast in the Channel 5 drama The Teacher, which aired in early 2022. This was followed by his casting in the Channel 4 comedy-drama series Somewhere Boy, as well as a recurring role in the BBC series Am I Being Unreasonable?.

In 2023, Bottomley appeared in the coming-of-age film How to Have Sex, as well as The Last Rifleman, a war drama film. 2025 saw him star in the ITV1 thriller series Coldwater. Also in 2025, Bottomley starred as Billy "Silibil" Boyd in the 2025 musical film California Schemin', as well as a role in the psychological drama film Anemone.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2011TyrannosaurSamuel
2012Private PeacefulYoung Tommo
2017Ghost StoriesYoung Goodman
2019The Last RightLouis Murphy
Get Duked!Ian
2020Running NakedYoung Mark
2021Everybody's Talking About JamieDean Paxton
SundownColin Bennett
2023How to Have SexPaddy
The Last RiflemanRory
2024Early TwentiesJackShort film
2025California Schemin'Billy Boyd
AnemoneBrian

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2014–2015Rocket's IslandBrandon KelleherMain role
2015Sons of LibertyChristopher SeiderEpisode: "A Dangerous Game"
Wolf HallYoung Thomas CromwellRecurring role
2016Moving OnConnorEpisode: "Passengers"
JerichoGeorge QuaintainMain role
2017–2018Ackley BridgeJordan WilsonMain role
2018Kiss Me FirstBen / DenierMain role
2019–2022LadhoodRalph RobertsMain role
2022The TeacherKyleMain role
Somewhere BoyAaronMain role
Am I Being Unreasonable?BoyRecurring role
2025ColdwaterCameronMain role

External links