Sam Downie (born 11 April 1975) is an English television, theatre and radio actor. He is also a Presenter on Radio and Television, and has contributed to a number of Podcasts and popular video Netcasts Online. Downie was a regular columnist for Sound on Sound Magazine, during 2005-2006 (but he will return soon to this popular music magazine).
Sam’s extensive theatrical background includes appearing on stage at The Theatre Royal (The Bristol Old Vic) and in the New Vic Theatre, in several Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre plays – between 1990 – 1995. Here Sam found his roots as a Performer, sometimes reading long monalogues to ensamble plays written by Howard Brenton. Sam also moonlighted as a Assistant Stage Manager in the New Vic Theatre (at The Bristol Old Vic) earning his first wages.
Following training and performing at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre (with The Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre), in Bristol, between 1996 to 2006 – Sam Downie spent a few years on and off TV screens on several BBC Drama’s such as Casualty, The House of Elliot, Dangerfield and BlackHearts in Battersea (BBC Childeren’s Drama) – in these show’s Sam was a ‘extra’ also known as a Supporting Artiste.. here Sam got the bug for Television.
Then Sam started to get more parts, this time as a “Walk-On” actor. In late 2004, Sam got cast on the popular soap drama, East Enders (BBC), playing a Brewery delivery Assistant a character that was shouted at by a drunk Phil Mitchel (played by Steve McFadden).
In 2005, Sam got cast as a “Patient Zombie” on the second episode, of the second season of the BBC’s re-boot of Dr Who. Here Sam got to act alongside David Tennent (playing the Dr). The Dr’s role was to cure Earth Humans who had been infected by Nurses, who were Cats (it’s based on Sci-fi… not reallity!). Here’s a few screen grabs of Sam as a “Zombie” in the Dr Who episode titled “New Earth”: