Sam Strike (born 18 January 1994) is an English actor. He made his acting debut in the 2013 revival of the CBBC series M.I. High, before gaining popular success playing Johnny Carter in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2013–2014). Following his departure from the latter, he appeared in guest-starring roles on several television shows.

In 2017, Strike starred as the title character in the horror film Leatherface. He followed this with main roles in the film Monster Party (2018) and the television series Nightflyers (2018) and When the Streetlights Go On (2020). His subsequent film credits include American Outlaws and The Boys in the Boat (both 2023). Strike also had a recurring role in the second season of the television series Outer Range in 2024.

Early life

Strike was born on 18 January 1994 in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, where he grew up with his sister.[1][2] He attended the local Thorpe Hall School,[3] and later studied acting at the South East Essex College for two years.[4] An avid singer and guitar player, he initially wanted to be a musician growing up and performed in bands.[2][5] Strike became interested in pursuing acting in secondary school, where he had his first drama lesson.[2] He explained: "When I did this first Drama lesson, I loved it. I had a natural aptitude for it and my teacher told my mum on my first parents evening that it was something I should think about doing."[2] He then began attending adult drama classes and signed with an agent.[2] He auditioned unsuccessfully for three years before securing his part in M.I. High.[2] As a student, he appeared in the school productions of Oliver! as a flower seller, and Jesus Christ Superstar as Judas.[6] He also portrayed the protagonist of the 2010 student film Stitches.[4] At 16, he won a modelling competition organised by local newspaper The Echo.[6]

Career

Early roles and EastEnders (2013–2014)

Strike made his professional acting debut in 2013, playing Dan Morgan in the revival of the CBBC series M.I. High, which spanned two seasons.[5][7] The same year, he was cast in the role of Johnny Carter in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.[8] His character was introduced as part of the Carter family, and he made his first appearance on 26 December 2013.[9] Strike's portrayal of Johnny was met with a positive reception. He received particular praise for his performance in the scene that saw his character come out to his father Mick (Danny Dyer).[10] Attitude magazine recognised the scene with the Media Recognition Award,[11] and Paul Flynn of The Guardian wrote that both actors "delivered an exceptional, impulsive, physical reading of the ties that bond father and son, no matter what."[12] Reflecting on the scene, Strike said: "I was really nervous the night it aired, because you want it to look convincing but then you want to do justice by the people that have been there and done it. It was a real proving ground for me, because it was the first time I actually had to do any proper drama acting."[10] Speaking of its impact, he stated: "I've had letters and Danny's had letters saying that we'd helped people to come out, and it makes things worth it."[10] In 2014, he guest-starred in episode two of the comedy series Give Out Girls as a 15-year-old model named Luke.[13]

On 14 November 2014, Strike announced his departure from EastEnders.[14] Regarding his decision to leave the show, he said: "I knew from the start that I was never going to be there for 10 years. It was just a case of seeing how things went, where the character was going and how relevant he was going to be in time to come."[2] Strike believed that "Johnny peaked quite early" due to the high-profile coming out storyline, and he was no longer needed on the show at the time of his leaving.[2] The character officially left the series on 23 December 2014,[15] with Strike returning for one more special appearance via Skype in an episode broadcast on Christmas Day 2014.[16] Following his departure, the show's executive producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, said that he did not plan to recast the role and that the "door is wide open" for Strike to return. He also added that he would "hope that Sam would come back".[17] However, in 2016, the character was recast to a new actor, with Ted Reilly taking over the role.[18]

Career expansion (2016–present)

After leaving EastEnders, Strike guest-starred as David Hamilton in a two-part episode of the television series Silent Witness and as Clyde Barrow in an episode of the television series Timeless, both in 2016.[19][20] In 2017, he had a starring role in the crime drama film Bonded by Blood 2.[21] He was also cast in the lead role of Jackson / Leatherface in the 2017 prequel to the film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre titled Leatherface, directed by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo.[22] Reviewing the film for Variety, Dennis Harvey described the cast's performances as "solid", adding that "the younger actors throw themselves into the task with aplomb."[23] On television, Strike portrayed real-life serial killer Montie Rissell in an episode of Mindhunter, also in 2017.[24]

In 2018, Strike had main roles in the horror thriller film Monster Party,[25] and in the Syfy series Nightflyers.[26] Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter called the former "gleefully gory and darkly funny", and singled out Strike and Virginia Gardner's performances writing that they "prove adept with the challenging physical demands placed on them."[27] The following year, Strike guest-starred as Misha in the episode "1:23:45" of the HBO miniseries Chernobyl,[28] and was cast in the lead role of Roland Deschain in the Amazon Studios adaptation of Stephen King's book series The Dark Tower.[29] The latter was ultimately cancelled, producing only an unaired pilot.[30]

Strike starred as Casper Tatum in the 2020 Quibi coming-of-age murder mystery series When the Streetlights Go On.[31] The critics praised the show's "strong writing, an impressive cast, and most importantly, an intriguing mystery".[32] Strike also appeared in a 2020 episode of the television series FBI: Most Wanted playing Ronnie Lee Bishop,[33] and in a 2022 episode of the Netflix series The Sandman as Todd.[34] He portrayed Ryan Dougherty in the 2023 true crime drama American Outlaws,[35][36] which earned him and his co-stars an award for Best Ensemble at the Boston Film Festival.[37] In George Clooney's 2023 film adaptation of Daniel James Brown's book The Boys in the Boat, he played American rower Roger Morris.[38][39] The film received mixed reviews from critics.[38] In 2024, Strike had a recurring role of Deputy Jess Chinlund in season two of the Amazon Studios series Outer Range.[40] He is next set to star in Frankie Shaw's upcoming dark comedy film 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank, an adaptation of Matthew Rosenberg and Tyler Boss' graphic novel of the same name.[41]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2017 Bonded by Blood 2 Dean Boshell [21]
Leatherface Jedidiah Sawyer / Jackson / Leatherface [22]
2018 Monster Party Casper [25]
2019 The Wisdom Tooth Dash Greene [42]
2023 American Outlaws Ryan Dougherty [35]
The Boys in the Boat Roger Morris [38]
TBA 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank Upcoming film [41]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013–2014 M.I. High Daniel "Dan" Morgan / Billy Main role; series 6–7 [7]
EastEnders Johnny Carter Series regular [9][15]
2014 Give Out Girls Luke Episode: "Hot Boy" [13]
2015 The Dog Ate My Homework Himself / Panellist Series 2, episode 7 [43]
2016 Silent Witness David Hamilton Episodes: "After the Fall: Part 1/Part 2" [19]
Timeless Clyde Barrow Episode: "Last Ride of Bonnie & Clyde" [20]
2017 Mindhunter Montie Rissell Series 1, episode 4 [24]
2018 Nightflyers Thale Main role [26]
2019 Chernobyl Misha Episode: "1:23:45" [28]
2020 FBI: Most Wanted Ronnie Lee Bishop Episode: "Predators" [33]
When the Streetlights Go On Casper Tatum Main role [31]
2022 The Sandman Todd Episode: "A Hope in Hell" [34]
2024 Outer Range Deputy Jess Chinlund Recurring role; 5 episodes [40]

Web

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014 On Set With... Sam Strike Himself Web miniseries [44]

Awards and nominations

Ceremony Year Category Work Result Ref.
TV Choice Awards 2014 Best Soap Newcomer EastEnders Nominated [45]
Inside Soap Awards 2014 Best Newcomer EastEnders Nominated [46]
Boston Film Festival 2023 Best Ensemble American Outlaws Won [37]

References

  1. ^ "Sam Strike". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Kilkelly, Daniel (11 January 2015). "Sam Strike reveals all on EastEnders exit, film role and future plans". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  3. ^ "Thorpe Hall School officially launches its Centenary Year". Thorpe Hall School. Archived from the original on 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Sam Strike". Casting Call Pro. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  5. ^ a b Martin, William (27 December 2012). "Sam Strike ('MI High') interview". CultBox. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  6. ^ a b Trayner, David (19 December 2012). "Southend teen to star in TV spy show". The Echo. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  7. ^ a b Martin, William (16 August 2013). "'MI High' to return for Series 7 in 2014". CultBox. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  8. ^ Rigby, Sam (29 October 2013). "'EastEnders': First picture of Danny Dyer's Carter family". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 19 January 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Johnny Carter". BBC. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  10. ^ a b c Kilkelly, Daniel (14 February 2014). "EastEnders' Sam Strike proud of Johnny Carter plot reaction". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  11. ^ Stroude, Will (13 October 2014). "EastEnders wins Attitude's Media Recognition Award". Attitude. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  12. ^ Flynn, Paul (6 January 2014). "EastEnders' coming out scene was a touching return to form". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  13. ^ a b Eames, Tom (21 October 2014). "EastEnders' Sam Strike joins Diana Vickers in Give Out Girls". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  14. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (13 November 2014). "EastEnders: Sam Strike leaving Johnny Carter role". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  15. ^ a b Rigby, Sam (24 December 2014). "EastEnders: Danny Dyer pays tribute to Sam Strike after Johnny exit". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  16. ^ "EastEnders 2013–2017, 2014, 25/12/2014". BBC. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  17. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (22 December 2014). "EastEnders boss: 'Door wide open for Sam Strike return'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  18. ^ Brown, David (6 February 2016). "EastEnders to recast the role of Johnny Carter". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  19. ^ a b Love, Ryan (14 April 2015). "Ex-EastEnders actor Sam Strike to guest star in new Silent Witness". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
    "Silent Witness, Series 19, After the Fall, Part 1". BBC. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
    "Silent Witness, Series 19, After the Fall, Part 2". BBC. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  20. ^ a b Li, Shirley (27 October 2016). "Timeless to feature Bonnie and Clyde, casts criminal couple". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  21. ^ a b "Bonded by Blood 2: Full Cast & Crew". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Leatherface". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
    Houghton, Rianne (27 April 2018). "Former EastEnders star Sam Strike once played Leatherface in Texas Chain Saw Massacre prequel". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  23. ^ Harvey, Dennis (24 September 2017). "Film Review: 'Leatherface'". Variety. Archived from the original on 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  24. ^ a b Collins, Sean T. (18 October 2017). "Building a mystery: The Mindhunter team creates the science of serial killers". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  25. ^ a b "Monster Party Details and Credits". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
    Kit, Borys (24 May 2017). "Sam Strike, Kian Lawley, Julian McMahon Starring in Horror Thriller 'Monster Party' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  26. ^ a b Otterson, Joe (4 January 2018). "George R. R. Martin's 'Nightflyers' Scores Series Order at Syfy, Sets Cast". Variety. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
    "Nightflyers credits". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  27. ^ Scheck, Frank (21 November 2018). "'Monster Party': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  28. ^ a b "Chernobyl credits". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  29. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (21 March 2019). "'The Dark Tower' Casts Sam Strike As Gunslinger Roland Deschain, Plus Jasper Pääkkönen As Amazon Nears Pilot Order". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019.
  30. ^ Romano, Nick (27 May 2020). "The Dark Tower showrunner details plans for scrapped Amazon series". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 14 January 2025.
  31. ^ a b Petski, Denise (23 September 2019). "'When The Street Lights Go On': Queen Latifah Among Leads As Quibi Series Sets Full Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
    "When the Streetlights Go On: Full Cast & Crew". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  32. ^ "When the Streetlights Go On: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  33. ^ a b "Predators – FBI: Most Wanted (Series 1, Episode 8)". Apple TV. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  34. ^ a b "The Sandman credits". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  35. ^ a b "American Outlaws (2023)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 11 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  36. ^ Liebenson, Donald (27 March 2023). "SBIFF 2023: Miranda's Victim, American Outlaws: Faces of True Crime". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  37. ^ a b "2023 Award Winners". Boston Film Festival. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  38. ^ a b c "The Boys in the Boat". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  39. ^ Kroll, Justin (10 February 2022). "George Clooney's 'Boys In The Boat' Adaptation With MGM, Spyglass And Smokehouse Sets Top Tier Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  40. ^ a b "Outer Range credits". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  41. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (6 December 2024). "Frankie Shaw Feature Directorial Debut '4 Kids Walk Into a Bank' With Liam Neeson Lands Orion Distribution, Miramax Financing". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  42. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (21 December 2017). "Sam Strike To Star In 'The Wisdom Tooth'; David An Cast In 'Green Book'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  43. ^ "The Dog Ate My Homework, Series 2, Episode 7". BBC. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  44. ^ "On set with... Sam Strike". BBC. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 6 November 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  45. ^ Denham, Jess (9 July 2014). "TV Choice Awards 2014 shortlist: Benedict Cumberbatch and David Tennant do battle". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  46. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (1 October 2014). "Inside Soap Awards 2014: See the full winners list". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Strike
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