{{Short description|Welsh actor}} {{Infobox person | name = Sam Locke | image = Sam Locke (cropped).jpg | caption = Locke in 2025 | birth_date = 12 April 2001 (age 24) | birth_place = Merthyr Tydfil, Wales | occupation = Actor | years_active = 2022–present | notable_works = ''Itopia'', ''The Way'', ''28 Years Later'', ''28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'' }}
'''Sam Locke''' (born 12 April 2001) is a Welsh actor. He is best known for his feature film debut in Danny Boyle's 2025 horror sequel ''28 Years Later'' and its 2026 follow-up ''28 Years Later: The Bone Temple''. He previously appeared in the BBC drama ''The Way'' and the sci-fi series ''Itopia''.
== Early life and education == Locke was born in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. He studied performing arts at Merthyr College and later at De Montfort University in Leicester, graduating in 2023.<ref>{{cite news|title=DMU student Sam Locke lands TV role in Michael Sheen drama|url=https://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/news/2023/june/dmu-performing-arts-student-lands-tv-role-in-michael-sheen-drama.aspx|website=De Montfort University|date=21 June 2023|access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=DMU student Sam Locke lands major TV role in new Michael Sheen drama|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/dmu-student-sam-locke-lands-8493215|website=Leicester Mercury|date=21 June 2023|access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref> He began acting in short films and student productions before being cast in professional television roles.<ref>{{cite news|last=Aitken|first=Catriona|title=Meet the Welsh actor who landed role in Danny Boyle horror film|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjrl3wz8310o|access-date=20 June 2025|work=BBC News}}</ref>
== Career == Locke's early television work includes the BBC One drama ''The Way'', directed by Michael Sheen, and the series ''Itopia''. He was also featured in the Welsh short film ''State of Love and Trust''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Welsh actor Sam Locke starring in major studio productions|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/25117033.welsh-actor-sam-locke-starring-major-studio-productions/|website=South Wales Argus|date=19 June 2025|access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref>
In 2024, he recorded a self-tape audition assisted by his grandmother for a role in Danny Boyle's sequel ''28 Years Later'', which led to his casting in the film.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kermode|first=Jennie|title=Dreaming big – Sam Locke on his passion for acting, representing Wales and 28 Years Later|url=https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature/2025-06-17-interview-with-sam-locke-about-28-years-later-feature-story-by-jennie-kermode|website=Eye For Film|access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=28 Years Later premiere in London |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/ckg6znrpve3o |work=BBC News |date=18 June 2025 |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Merthyr actor Sam Locke lands role in Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/25256044.merthyr-actor-sam-locke-danny-boyles-28-years-later/|website=South Wales Argus|date=21 June 2025|access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref> In an interview with ''SFX Magazine'', Locke described his experience on the film as physically demanding, involving weeks of stunt training and high-intensity action scenes. He praised Boyle's direction and the collaborative atmosphere on set. His character in the film, named Jimmy Fox, was part of a new group of survivors led by Jack O'Connell's character Jimmy Crystal.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Shepherd |first=Jack |title=28 Years Later's Sam Locke talks about Danny Boyle's secretive sequel |magazine=SFX Magazine |issue=393 |date=July 2025 |page=12 |url=https://gb.readly.com/magazines/sfx/2025-06-18/684b6ff0d1ed6da472e8aebd |access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-19 |title=28 Years Later actor Sam Locke reflects on role in hit franchise |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74w0w731x5o |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Locke spoke to WalesOnline in June 2025, noting the physically demanding nature of the shoot and his long-standing interest in acting, which began during his school years in Merthyr Tydfil.<ref>{{cite news|title=Welsh star of 28 Years Later Sam Locke says 'dream come true' filming horror movie|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/welsh-star-28-years-later-32038755|website=WalesOnline|date=21 June 2025|access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref>
Following ''28 Years Later'', Locke reprised his role in the sequel ''28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'', directed by Nia DaCosta. It was filmed back-to-back with the previous film, and released in January 2026.<ref>{{cite news |title=28 Years Later's Sam Locke involved in new sequel The Bone Temple |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/28-years-laters-sam-locke-36513974 |work=Daily Mirror |date=2025 |access-date=12 January 2026}}</ref>
== Filmography ==
=== Film === * ''28 Years Later'' (2025) * ''28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'' (2026)
=== Television === * ''Itopia'' (2023) * ''The Way'' (2024)
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|nm11271517|Sam Locke}} * [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/sam_locke_2 Sam Locke at Rotten Tomatoes]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Locke, Sam}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:Welsh male film actors Category:Welsh male television actors Category:21st-century Welsh male actors Category:Actors from Merthyr Tydfil Category:Alumni of De Montfort University