Sam Buchanan Discusses My Fault: London, Back to Black, and His Ideal Roles
INTERVIEW
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INTERVIEW ✦
From the BAFTA-winning television series Such Brave Girls to the intense sci-fi drama of The Power alongside Toni Collette—and even a role in the recent Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black— actor Sam Buchanan has steadily built a reputation for memorable performances and a magnetic screen presence.
Photography: Sergei Sarakhanov | Stylist: Bethany Knight | PR: CLD Communications
Just last month, Buchanan's noteworthy potential continued to surface with his portrayal as a key character in the new Prime film, My Fault: London, an adaptation of the best-selling young adult novel. This layered antagonist role (in a story packed with action, romance, and forbidden love) not only showcases his growing skillset but also emphasizes his talent for delving into the complexities of his characters and bringing them to life with authentic nuance.
Aside from the buzz surrounding My Fault: London, anticipation is also building for his upcoming role in BBC’s Just Act Normal, a fresh adaptation of the celebrated play Three Birds, where he's guaranteed to explore new facets of his talent. Now, he’s breaking it all down.
Congratulations on the release of your latest film, My Fault: London! What drew you to the role of Ronnie?
Sam Buchanan: I loved the idea of playing the villain. No villain thinks they’re a villain. I was really interested in getting inside his head and understanding why he does the things he does.
By the time you wrapped, was there something that you enjoyed most about getting to play the film’s antagonist?
Sam Buchanan: As exhausting as it was, being such a driving force of every scene that he’s in was so much fun. He’s so motivated, constantly fizzing. It’s thrilling to play.
Photography: Sergei Sarakhanov | Stylist: Bethany Knight | PR: CLD Communications
Photography: Sergei Sarakhanov | Stylist: Bethany Knight | PR: CLD Communications
What unique experiences did working on My Fault: London offer that you might not have encountered in other productions?
Sam Buchanan: Being able to physically train so intensely for the role was a huge treat. Heavy gym work, combined with boxing and fight training four times a week, along with a strict diet, was shattering but rewarding.
You also have another exciting project coming out later this year! What can you tell us about your role in the upcoming series Just Act Normal?
Sam Buchanan: My role in Just Act Normal—written by Janice Okoh—is a beautiful one. His name is Gavin, known on the estate as Dr Feelgood, who is the local drug dealer. He is so three-dimensional, somehow managing to be selfish yet beautifully paternal all at once. I can’t wait to share this project with the world.
What are some key elements of Just Act Normal that differentiate it from the original play Three Birds?
Sam Buchanan: The universe has just expanded beautifully. We meet more characters as the story evolves and we get deeper into the lie. It so brilliantly switches between laugh-out-loud funny and heartbreaking.
Photography: Sergei Sarakhanov | Stylist: Bethany Knight | PR: CLD Communications
Photography: Sergei Sarakhanov | Stylist: Bethany Knight | PR: CLD Communications
Out of all your roles spanning popular television series and films—has there been one that had the biggest impact on you personally?
Sam Buchanan: Being involved in Back To Black was a real pleasure. To play a real person alongside such incredible actors while telling Amy Winehouse’s story was a real honor and one I won’t ever forget.
Given the diverse range of characters you've portrayed, what type of character/role would you say feels the most rewarding to you?
Sam Buchanan: I love to play parts people can relate to. Honestly, my biggest goal is for people to be affected by my work in one way or another, maybe even taking something away that they weren’t aware of before.
