Welsh star of 28 Years Later tipped to be Hollywood's 'next big thing'

Wales Online

11 hours ago

Welsh star of 28 Years Later tipped to be Hollywood's 'next big thing'
Sam Locke followed his gut to pursue his love of acting, and his determination is already paying off
Sam Locke from Merthyr Tydfil is currently starring in 28 Years Later, the latest instalment in director Danny Boyle's series which is in cinemas now
Sam Locke is reflecting on how his life is shifting after being tipped to be the next 'big thing' in Hollywood. After failing his A Levels - Drama was the only subject he managed to pass. He initially planned to retake the year and try again, but in a moment of unexpected clarity while sitting in a Wetherspoons, the boy from Merthyr Tydfil changed direction entirely.
He chose to study drama and the rest was history, as he is currently starring in the hit film 28 Years Later as Jimmy Fox, who is part of a group known as 'The Jimmys,' who are featured prominently in the film, in the fast-paced horror story.
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The film, directed by Danny Boyle is centred around the breakdown of society after a deadly, rage-inducing virus is unleashed, focusing on the struggles of survivors to endure both the infected and the consequences of societal collapse. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
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It's already had a huge reaction with plenty of buzz surrounding its release in cinemas as the film, which has a large fan base as a sequel to 28 Days Later.
But Sam has taken it all in his stride, noting when asked if he felt any pressure: 'Not really, thankfully. Any pressure in that context is a privilege anyway, in fact I invite it and hope to work on projects where I can feel bit of pressure, but I definitely feel that even If I was massively nervous, stepping on to set and being with Danny, my fellow actors and everyone else involved eased my nerves.
'Ultimately I'm immensely proud I am now etched into this franchise, I get to forever be affiliated with it, and represent Wales, and Merthyr at these heights.'
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Back at home, Sam is often found frequenting his local pub, The Grawen Arms, on Brecon Road.
Sam Locke says drama and acting have been an 'ever-present thing' in his life
(Image: TwoCatsInTheYard Photography )
'I find that keeps me grounded', he says. 'People in Merthyr, they like to remind you where you're from and remind you who you are and I'm incredibly grateful for that.'
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Relaxing, for Sam is seeing his friends and watching football, or walking in the valleys. A Liverpool fan, he usually catches up with the football with his mates at home or his grandfather.
He adds: 'I use walking as a means to relax. It's grounding myself in nature but also just grounding myself in general because when filming for any project it puts you in lots of different environments.'
Growing up, Sam attended Cyfarthfa High School, then later went on to study at college in Merthyr.
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He says drama and acting have been an 'ever-present thing' in his life, noting: 'I used to love it when it was on my timetable in the first year of high school.
'I just went into that class enjoying the making process and later studied A Level Drama, A Level Photography and A Level Film and I actually didn't do too well in Photography and Film but I excelled in Drama.
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'Then I had like an ultimatum in Wetherspoons when I was literally sat there and had that metaphorical moment where you can choose one path which leads you to one place or go down another and you go somewhere else because I could have gone left and re-enrolled and done my A Levels again, or I had the chance to turn right and pursue full time performing arts.
'I was properly umm-ing and aah-ing on the second day of that new academic year and this was the final hour of my choice. And I ended up going to study the Performing Arts UAL at Merthyr College.'
Sam recalled that within 15 minutes, he knew this was what he wanted to do full time, and hasn't looked back since.
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'I'd tell my younger self to trust my gut a little bit more', he says.
Sam Locke was born on April 12, 2001
'I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to pick that option more than the other one. That was the one I was leaning towards more.'
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Sam's first audition which he had come through was for Emmerdale which took him a back as he realised that more things were starting to happen for him.
Since then, he says he's been seen for bigger roles and feels a 'real sense of accomplishment'.
He explains: 'The work is doing the self tape, and the reward is the yes and getting the role.'
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Speaking to Sam, it's clear that his mindset and determination set him apart.
As he reflects on all of the opportunities that have come his way, he is not taking any of it for granted.
When asked how he works to maintain such a grounded mentality, he notes: 'I know I'm not alone in this industry and there are so many actors trying to - I don't want to say make it because I don't think making it is a thing - but there are so many people trying to do this as an occupation and putting so much effort in.
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'I am one of them and I'll never stop but when you get those chances and those roles and those opportunities that you've been working for, enjoy them and never take them for granted and that makes the jobs sweeter.
'There was a slight bit of imposter syndrome I think at the start of every role but that quickly subsides and then you realise you're here for a reason.'
Already known for playing PC Ryan in Michael Sheen's THE WAY for BBC1, as well as his most recent role in 28 Years Later, Sam has a number of projects in the pipeline ready to be released.
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But a highlight so far, he has pinpointed was working alongside the famous Danny Boyle.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes and Danny Boyle attend the "28 Years Later" World Premiere
(Image:)
'Working with Danny was for me a bucket list achievement', Sam says.
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'The energy he brings to set is just amazing. He engages with you with a sort of gentle authority which I liked. I knew I was there to act in his movie, but by the way he interacted with me, he put me at so much ease and subconsciously reassured me.
'Something I picked up on which was quite interesting and entertaining to watch was when he'd be behind his monitor, ducking and diving from the action as if he's a consumer of his work; he wants and needs to believe his own work so much, and you can literally see when he does.'
Speaking about the atmosphere on set, he added: 'I think given the size of the production and the profile of people within, it felt 'normal' or rather, comfortable - and again that's because of everyone involved.
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'There was definitely excitement flowing through us, we were all so so pleased to be there, but there was a level of professionalism where we knew we were there to make a Danny Boyle & and Alex Garland film, though there were many times myself and some of my immediate cast would have discussions and get giddy over the fact we got here!'
So far, the film has been well-received by critics who have commended its evolution from the original's intense horror to a more emotionally rich, character-focused story.
The film broadens the scope of the '28' franchise as it has delved into themes like generational trauma and the lasting effects of the Rage virus, and while some people have noted that it lacks the raw terror of the first film, its thoughtful portrayal of human fears and striking use of the British landscape have been regarded as standout elements.
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Reflecting on the process his own character goes through and how he prepared for his role, Sam explains: 'In the literal sense, we had a week of stunt and combat training.
'This was very crucial to not only build up our stamina and endurance for the actions that we do in these films, but also to allow me, and my immediate cast to bond and gel as a unit.
Director Danny Boyle, pictured in London attending a 20-year anniversary screening of 28 Days Later in 2022
(Image: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images )
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'I think we all were appreciative of that intense training week. In terms of prep for the character, it was unique, it's a unique role as it is - always high octane and very hard to draw from personal experience, but I did find some reference characters to look into and to 'study' very loosely, because I wanted my performance to be instinctual, and looking back at it, my performance for the most part was exactly that.
'The training for one, definitely pushed me physically. It was demanding - I remember hurting my leg on one of the days and honestly it set me back mentally, having to reign it all in for a day or two but getting through that helped make me stronger.
'And another way it pushed me was getting to exercise that instinctual acting I talked about, a skill which I hadn't really thought about in great depth before through other projects, but it unlocked something and getting to that point of realisation pushed me.'
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Right now, it's evident that the 24-year-old is carrying some hard-earned lessons into every corner of his career.
When asked what some of his biggest takeaways have been from people he's worked with so far, he notes: 'I'll give you three things; one being from Danny - I think he taught me that if you've been cast you're there for a reason.
'Be loose, have fun with it and don't take yourself seriously. The second being from Jack [O'connell] - I took from him to give it 100% when you're not the one being filmed, your co-actors need things to work from and draw off when the camera is just on them.
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'Jack was such a generous actor, he wanted everyone to get their best takes, and in doing that, he gave 100% every take.
'And lastly from Erin [Kellyman] her ability to do certain stunts like flips and somersaults, I can't say I learnt how to fully do it like her, but it's something I'd love to be able to do, I need more lessons.'