Sam Yates
British director (born 1983) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sam Yates (born August 1983)[1][2] is a British director.[3] Yates grew up in Stockport and attended Poynton High School.[3] He was selected as a Screen International Star of Tomorrow,[4] named a rising star in The Observer,[3] and featured in GQ Magazine's "Men of the next 25 years".[5] Yates has been described as "a major talent"[6] in The Guardian, and "a director of unusual flair"[7] in The Observer. He studied English at Homerton College, Cambridge.
Yates directed and co-created VANYA adapted by Simon Stephens and featuring Andrew Scott. The production was awarded a Olivier Award for Best Revival.[8] His productions have been nominated for Olivier Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Murder Ballad (2017),[9] and Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for The Phlebotomist by Ella Road (2019).[10]
He directed feature debut Magpie featuring Daisy Ridley and Shazad Latif. The film premiered at South by Southwest in 2024.[11]
Yates is known for his "eclectic body of work" and his "superb sense for casting",[12] having directed leading talent Andrew Scott,[13] Daisy Ridley, Ruth Wilson,[7] Hayley Atwell,[14] Gemma Arterton,[15] Christian Slater,[16] Matthew Broderick,[17] Ciaran Hinds,[13] Jane Horrocks,[6] Elizabeth McGovern[17] and Jonah Hauer-King.[18] He is in a relationship with Irish actress Charlie Murphy.[19]