{{short description|British actress}} {{for|the golfer|Samantha Giles (golfer)}} {{Use British English|date=October 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Samantha Giles | image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing [[brackets]] --> | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = | birth_name = Samantha Elizabeth Giles | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1971|07|02}} | birth_place = [[Maidstone]], [[Kent]], England | occupation = {{hlist|Actress|author}} | years_active = 1993–present | known_for = ''[[Emmerdale]]'' <br> ''[[Where the Heart Is (British TV series)|Where the Heart Is]]'' <br> ''[[Hollyoaks]]'' | spouse = {{Marriage|Sean Pritchard|2010}} | children = 2 }} '''Samantha Elizabeth Giles''' (born 2 July 1971)<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=How old is Emmerdale's Samantha Giles and how did she become a witch? |url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/how-old-emmerdale-samantha-giles-witch-husband/ |work=[[Heart (radio network)|Heart]] |date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924004929/https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/how-old-emmerdale-samantha-giles-witch-husband/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is an English actress and author. She is best known for playing [[Bernice Blackstock]] in the [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]] soap opera ''[[Emmerdale]]''. She had also played Sally Boothe in the ITV drama series ''[[Where the Heart Is (British TV series)|Where the Heart Is]]'' and [[Valerie Holden]] in the [[Channel 4]] soap opera ''[[Hollyoaks]]''. She departed from ''Emmerdale'' in 2019 to focus on other creative projects, such as writing her [[debut novel]], ''Rosemary and the Witches of Pendle Hill'', released in August 2020. In April 2021, it was confirmed that she would be returning to ''Emmerdale''.
==Career== From 1998 to 2002, and again in 2004, Giles played [[Bernice Blackstock]] in the [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]] soap opera ''[[Emmerdale]]''.<ref name="Aprons">{{cite news |last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=Emmerdale exit for Bernice Blackstock as actress Samantha Giles leaves the soap |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a29156640/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-exit-samantha-giles-leaves/ |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]] |date=20 September 2019 |archive-date=8 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808100344/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a29156640/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-exit-samantha-giles-leaves/ |url-status=live }}</ref> For her role as Bernice, she won the [[TV Quick Award|''TV Quick'' Award]] for Best Actress.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vipappearances.co.uk/samantha-giles/ |title=Samantha Giles |website=VIP Appearances Ltd |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122006/http://www.vipappearances.co.uk/samantha-giles/ |archivedate=2014-10-06 }}</ref> Giles' other television credits include ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'', ''[[Dangerfield (TV series)|Dangerfield]]'' and ''Midnight Man''. Her stage credits include ''[[A Taste of Honey]]'' (as Helen), ''Dead Funny'' (Lisa), and ''Season's Greetings'' (Belinda).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aimagents.com/actors/samantha-giles/|title=Samantha Giles|website=AIM Agents|language=en-US|archive-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920231841/https://www.aimagents.com/actors/samantha-giles/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In December 2007, it was announced that Giles was to join the cast of the [[Channel 4]] soap opera ''[[Hollyoaks]]'' in 2008 as [[Valerie Holden]], a role that she had taken over from actress [[Jacqueline Leonard]]. She returned in July 2010,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2010/06/26/samantha-giles-returns-to-oaks-419130/|title=Samantha Giles returns to 'Oaks|date=2010-06-26|website=Metro|language=en-US|archive-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920231839/https://metro.co.uk/2010/06/26/samantha-giles-returns-to-oaks-419130/|url-status=live}}</ref> and left again in August 2010. In December 2010, Giles appeared on ''[[Celebrity Mastermind]]'' where her specialist subject was the works of [[Alfred Hitchcock]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x3whf|title=BBC One - Celebrity Mastermind, 2010/2011, Episode 1|website=BBC|language=en-GB|archive-date=21 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921060343/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x3whf|url-status=live}}</ref> Giles returned to ''Emmerdale'' in 2012. However, in 2019, Giles announced her departure from the series to focus on other creative projects.<ref name="Aprons" /> In August 2020, her first book, titled ''Rosemary and the Witches of Pendle Hill'', was published.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a29156640/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-exit-samantha-giles-leaves/|title=Emmerdale exit confirmed for Bernice Blackstock|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=2019-09-20|website=[[Digital Spy]]|language=en-GB|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808100344/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a29156640/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-exit-samantha-giles-leaves/|url-status=live}}</ref> After ''Emmerdale'' producers offered a return to Giles in 2021, she accepted; her return scenes aired on 27 May.<ref name="Returning">{{cite news |last1=Anderton |first1=Joe |title=Emmerdale's Samantha Giles returns as Bernice causes trouble for Liam and Leyla's romance |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a36156319/emmerdale-samantha-giles-bernice-return/ |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]] |date=18 April 2021 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418230549/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a36156319/emmerdale-samantha-giles-bernice-return/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She left the role again in 2023, and will return for a guest stint in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Warner |first1=Sam |title=Emmerdale's Bernice Blackstock tipped to return for very special occasion |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a64980611/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-tipped-return/ |website=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Communications]] |access-date=18 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250811054943/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a64980611/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-tipped-return/ |archive-date=11 August 2025 |date=5 June 2025}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable unsortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 1994–1995 | ''[[Coronation Street]]'' | Kirsty | Recurring role |- | 1997 | ''New Voices'' | Michelle Roberts | Episode: "Supplies" |- | 1997 | ''Midnight Man'' | Mary Farmer | Television film |- | 1998 | ''[[Dangerfield (TV series)|Dangerfield]]'' | Amy | Episode: "The Long Weekend" |- | 1998–2002, 2004, 2012–2019, 2021–2023, 2025 | ''[[Emmerdale]]'' | [[Bernice Blackstock]] | Regular role |- | 2003–2006 | ''[[Where the Heart Is (British TV series)|Where the Heart Is]]'' | Sally Boothe | Main role; 28 episodes |- | 2007 | ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' | Pia Marshall | Episode: "Bon Voyage" |- | 2008, 2010 | ''[[Hollyoaks]]'' | [[Valerie Holden]] | Regular role; 34 episodes |- | 2011 | ''Doctors'' | Felicia Bennett | Episode: "An Inspector Calls" |- | 2011 | ''[[The Case (TV series)|The Case]]'' | Monica Sauzer | Episode #1.4 |- | 2012 | ''[[Crime Stories (British TV series)|Crime Stories]]'' | Kate Spencer | Episode #1.7 |- | 2015 | ''Nomads'' | Penny | Television series |- | 2025 | ''The Football Fantastics'' | Val | Television series |- |}
==Stage== * 1993, Rosalind in ''Double D'' directed by [[June Brown]] * 2004, Jennifer in ''Party Piece'' at the [[Theatre Royal Windsor]] directed by Mark Piper * 2010, Marge in ''[[Absent Friends (play)|Absent Friends]]'' at the [[Oldham Coliseum]]/Harrogate/Anvil Arts Production directed by [[Nikolai Foster]] * 2007, Lisa in ''Dead Fully'' at the Oldham Coliseum and National Tour directed by [[Nikolai Foster]] * 2006, Helen in ''A Taste of Honey'' - National Tour at the Oldham Coliseum directed by Stuart Wood * 2006, Belinda in ''[[Season's Greetings (play)|Seasons Greetings]]'' at the [[Liverpool Playhouse]] directed by [[Nikolai Foster]]
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Result ! scope=col class=unsortable | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | 1999 | [[5th National Television Awards]] | Most Popular Newcomer | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite news|title=TV stars prepare for battle|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/486003.stm|publisher=BBC News|access-date=12 November 2010|date=26 October 1999}}</ref> |- | 2000 | [[6th National Television Awards]] | Most Popular Actress | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/966147.stm|work=[[BBC]]|access-date=28 September 2020|date=10 October 2000|title=National Television Awards: The winners|archive-date=12 December 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031212160304/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/966147.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2002 | [[British Soap Awards]] | [[British Soap Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="BSAs2002">{{cite web|last=Welsh|first=James|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a7412/british-soap-awards-2002-nominations/|title=British Soap Awards 2002: Nominations|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|date=16 May 2002|accessdate=30 April 2019}}</ref> |- | 2002 | British Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="BSAs2002"/> |- | 2002 | British Soap Awards | [[Best On-Screen Partnership]] (shared with [[John Middleton (actor)|John Middleton]]) | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="BSAs2002"/> |- | 2014 | [[Inside Soap Awards|''Inside Soap'' Awards]] | Funniest Female | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a587117/inside-soap-awards-2014-longlist-revealed.html|title=''Inside Soap'' Awards 2014 longlist revealed|last=Dainty|first=Sophie|date=29 July 2014 |website=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date=29 July 2014}}</ref> |- | 2015 | ''Inside Soap'' Awards | Funniest Female | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a658118/inside-soap-awards-2015-longlist-revealed-whos-in-line-for-best-actor-actress-and-newcomer.html|title=''Inside Soap'' Awards 2015 longlist revealed: Who's in line for Best Actor, Actress and Newcomer?|last=Dainty|first=Sophie|date=14 July 2015 |website=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> |- | 2016 | ''Inside Soap'' Awards | Funniest Female | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a798505/inside-soap-awards-2016-longlist/|title=''Inside Soap'' Awards 2016 longlist revealed|last=Sandwell|first=Ian|date=21 June 2016|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=23 June 2016}}</ref> |- | 2018 | ''Inside Soap'' Awards | Funniest Female | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite news|last1=Davies|first1=Megan|title=''Inside Soap'' Awards 2018 full longlist revealed: Which Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up?|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/news/a862268/inside-soap-awards-2018-full-longlist-coronation-street-eastenders-emmerdale-hollyoaks/|access-date=21 November 2018|work=[[Digital Spy]]|date=24 July 2018}}</ref> |- | 2019 | ''Inside Soap'' Awards | Funniest Female | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a28250686/inside-soap-awards-2019-longlist-coronation-street-eastenders-emmerdale-hollyoaks/|title = ''Inside Soap'' Awards 2019 longlist has been revealed|website = [[Digital Spy]]|date = July 2019}}</ref> |- | 2021 | ''Inside Soap'' Awards | Funniest Performance | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite news |last1=Alexander |first1=Susannah |title=''Inside Soap'' Awards announces 2021 longlist as voting opens – here's who's up for prizes |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a37769663/inside-soap-awards-2021-nominees-longlist-how-to-vote/ |access-date=28 September 2021 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Magazines UK]]) |date=28 September 2021 |archive-date=2 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002110028/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a37769663/inside-soap-awards-2021-nominees-longlist-how-to-vote/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2023 | [[2023 British Soap Awards]] | [[British Soap Award for Best Comedy Performance|Best Comedy Performance]] | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Kerry |title=The British Soap Awards 2023: shortlist nominations, categories, how to vote and all we know |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/the-british-soap-awards-2023-categories-nominations-how-to-vote-and-all-we-know |access-date=3 May 2023 |publisher=([[Future plc]]) |date=2 May 2023}}</ref> |- | 2023 | ''Inside Soap'' Awards | Best Comic Performance | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite news |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Inside Soap Awards 2023 announces full list of nominees |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a44420530/inside-soap-awards-2023-nominations/ |access-date=5 July 2023 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |date=4 July 2023}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Giles, Samantha}} [[Category:1971 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:20th-century English actresses]] [[Category:20th-century English novelists]] [[Category:21st-century English actresses]] [[Category:21st-century English novelists]] [[Category:English soap opera actresses]] [[Category:English stage actresses]] [[Category:English television actresses]] [[Category:Actresses from Maidstone]] [[Category:20th-century English women novelists]] [[Category:21st-century English women novelists]]