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Michael Samuels

Director

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Michael Samuels is an award-winning British television director, producer and screenwriter. He won the BAFTA Award for Best Drama Serial for four-part drama ANY HUMAN HEART written by William Boyd (C4/Carnival) and was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Single Film for biographical television film THE WINDERMERE CHILDREN (BBC/Wall to Wall/Warner Bros), which also won the Prix Europa for Best European TV Movie. He won the International Emmy for Best TV Movie or Miniseries for the two-part mini-series MAN IN AN ORANGE SHIRT (BBC/Kudos) and the RTS Award for Best Single Drama for television movie THE CURSE OF STEPTOE (BBC). To date, he has directed ten feature-length television dramas for the BBC, ITV and C5, including MRS MANDELA (BBC/Diverse), which he both wrote and directed. Other television credits include the mini-series COMA (C5/Roughcut/CBS Studios), CLOSE TO ME (C4/Nordic Entertainment Group), BLACK WORK (ITV/Mammoth Screen), which was the most watched show on UK Netflix in April 2025, and THE FEAR (C4/BBC/World), all of which he sole-directed. Most recently, he directed the dystopian single film THE TRIAL (C5/Adorable Media).

Credits

TELEVISION
Date: 2025
Production (role):
THE TRIAL
(Director)
Company:
Channel 5 / Adorable Media
Project details:
Single Film

With Ben Miles, Claire Skinner, Saoirse Monica-Jackson
Date: 2023-24
Production (role):
COMA
(Series Director)
Company:
CBS / Channel 5 / Roughcut TV
Project details:
4-part Thriller

With Jason Watkins, Claire Skinner and David Bradley
Date: 2021
Production (role):
CLOSE TO ME
(Series Director / Executive Producer)
Company:
Channel 4 / Viaplay / The Development Partnership
Project details:
6-part Psychological Thriller

With Connie Nielsen and Christopher Eccleston
Date: 2020
Production (role):
THE WINDERMERE CHILDREN
(Director / Executive Producer)
Company:
Warner Brothers TV / BBC
Project details:
TV Film

With Romola Garai, Iain Glen, Tim McInnerny and Thomas Kretschmann

WINNER - Prix Europa, Best European TV Movie

NOMINATED - Best Single Drama BAFTA
Date: 2016-17
Production (role):
MAN IN AN ORANGE SHIRT
(Series Director)
Company:
BBC 2 / Kudos
Project details:
2 Part Drama written by Patrick Gale

With Vanessa Redgrave

WINNER - International Emmy 2018 Best Mini-Series/TV Movie
Date: 2014-15
Production (role):
BLACK WORK
(Series Director)
Company:
ITV
Project details:
3 part drama

With Sheridan Smith

Written by Matt Charman
Date: 2012
Production (role):
THE FEAR
(Series Director)
Company:
World Productions / Channel 4
Project details:
4 part mini-series

With Peter Mullan and Richard E Grant
Date: 2010
Production (role):
ANY HUMAN HEART
(Series Director)
Company:
Carnival / Channel 4
Project details:
4 part mini-series

By William Boyd

With Jim Broadbent, Matthew Macfadyen, Gillian Anderson, Hayley Atwell and Kim Cattrall

WINNER - Best Serial Drama BAFTA
Date: 2009
Production (role):
THE LAST DAYS OF LEHMAN BROTHERS
(Director)
Company:
BBC Drama / BBC Two
Project details:
TV Film

With James Cromwell and James Bolam
Date: 2008-09
Production (role):
MRS MANDELA
(Writer / Director)
Company:
BBC Four / Two
Project details:
TV Film

With Sophie Okonedo, David Harewood and David Morrissey
Date: 2008
Production (role):
CAUGHT IN A TRAP
(Director)
Company:
Greenlit / ITV
Project details:
TV Film

With Geraldine James, Jim Carter and Connie Fisher
Date: 2007-08
Production (role):
THE CURSE OF STEPTOE
(Director)
Company:
BBC Drama / BBC Four
Project details:
TV Film

With Jason Isaacs and Phil Davis

WINNER - Best Single Drama RTS
Date: 2006
Production (role):
AMEN
(Writer)
Company:
Channel 4 Drama / Touchpaper
Project details:
Feature-length script
Date: 2005
Production (role):
OUR HIDDEN LIVES
(Director / Producer)
Company:
BBC Four
Project details:
TV Film

With Sarah Parish, Ian McDiarmid, Lesley Sharp, Richard Briers and Michael Fassbender
Date: 2004-05
Production (role):
THE SLAVERY BUSINESS
(Director / Producer)
Company:
BBC Two
Project details:
TV Film

With Jack Shepherd and Robert Pugh
Date: 2004
Production (role):
A MOST MYSTERIOUS MURDER
(Director)
Company:
Touchpaper / BBC One
Project details:
Pilot drama for series

With Julian Fellowes and Michael Fassbender
Date: 2003
Production (role):
THREE SISTERS
(Director)
Company:
BBC Four
Project details:
Television version of West End play

With Kristin Scott Thomas
Date: 2002-03
Production (role):
THE VICE
(Director)
Company:
Touchpaper / ITV
Project details:
Drama series

With Tim Pigott-Smith and Nigel Terry
Date: 2002
Production (role):
THE FALKLANDS PLAY
(Director)
Company:
BBC Drama
Project details:
TV Film

With Patricia Hodge, James Fox and Robert Hardy
Date: 2001
Production (role):
EASTENDERS
(Director)
Company:
BBC One
Project details:
4 Episodes
Date: 1999-00
Production (role):
EASTENDERS
(Director)
Company:
BBC One
Project details:
12 episodes including a 40-minute Special
Date: 1998
Production (role):
BROOKSIDE
(Director)
Company:
Channel 4
Project details:
18 episodes
IN DEVELOPMENT
Date: Current
Production (role):
THE ORCHESTRA (Currently Writing to Direct)
Company:
Sid Gentle Films
Project details:
Single film for BBC 2
Date: Current
Production (role):
THE BOY WHO WOULD BE SHAKESPEARE
Company:
Ecosse Films
Project details:
Feature Film
Date: Current
Production (role):
BLOOD OVER WATER (Co-writer, to direct)
Company:
Harbour Pictures/Tideway Films
Project details:
Feature Film
Date: 2015
Production (role):
UNSAID (Writer, to direct)
Company:
Nick Wechsler
Project details:
Feature Film
DOCUMENTARY
Date: 2003
Production (role):
TRAVELS WITH MY UNFIT MOTHER (Director / Producer)
Company:
Lion / BBC One
Date: 2001
Production (role):
CASTLE (Director / Producer)
Company:
Lion / Channel 4
Project details:
History documentary
Date: 2001
Production (role):
AGAMEMNON
(Director)
Company:
BBC Factual
Date: 2000
Production (role):
EQUINOX - THE SCIENCE OF STRESS (Director / Producer / Writer)
Company:
Lion / Channel 4
Date: 1997
Production (role):
DANIEL HANDLEY: A STOLEN LIFE (Director / Producer / Writer)
Company:
BBC One
Project details:
Drama-documentary
Date: 1996-97
Production (role):
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL (Director / Producer)
Company:
BBC Documentaries (6 Episodes)
RADIO
Date: 2003-04
Production (role):
THE DUEL (Writer)
Company:
Radio 4
Project details:
90 minute drama

With David Threlfall and Patricia Hodge
FEATURE FILM
Date: 1999-00
Production (role):
CROSSING THE LINE (Writer)
Project details:
Feature film script set in South Africa

Credits

  • Date
    Production (role)
    Company
    Project details
  • Date: 2025
    Production (role): THE TRIAL
    (Director)
    Company: Channel 5 / Adorable Media
    Project details: Single Film

    With Ben Miles, Claire Skinner, Saoirse Monica-Jackson
  • Date: 2023-24
    Production (role): COMA
    (Series Director)
    Company: CBS / Channel 5 / Roughcut TV
    Project details: 4-part Thriller

    With Jason Watkins, Claire Skinner and David Bradley
  • Date: 2021
    Production (role): CLOSE TO ME
    (Series Director / Executive Producer)
    Company: Channel 4 / Viaplay / The Development Partnership
    Project details: 6-part Psychological Thriller

    With Connie Nielsen and Christopher Eccleston
  • Date: 2020
    Production (role): THE WINDERMERE CHILDREN
    (Director / Executive Producer)
    Company: Warner Brothers TV / BBC
    Project details: TV Film

    With Romola Garai, Iain Glen, Tim McInnerny and Thomas Kretschmann

    WINNER - Prix Europa, Best European TV Movie

    NOMINATED - Best Single Drama BAFTA
  • Date: 2016-17
    Production (role): MAN IN AN ORANGE SHIRT
    (Series Director)
    Company: BBC 2 / Kudos
    Project details: 2 Part Drama written by Patrick Gale

    With Vanessa Redgrave

    WINNER - International Emmy 2018 Best Mini-Series/TV Movie
  • Date: 2014-15
    Production (role): BLACK WORK
    (Series Director)
    Company: ITV
    Project details: 3 part drama

    With Sheridan Smith

    Written by Matt Charman
  • Date: 2012
    Production (role): THE FEAR
    (Series Director)
    Company: World Productions / Channel 4
    Project details: 4 part mini-series

    With Peter Mullan and Richard E Grant
  • Date: 2010
    Production (role): ANY HUMAN HEART
    (Series Director)
    Company: Carnival / Channel 4
    Project details: 4 part mini-series

    By William Boyd

    With Jim Broadbent, Matthew Macfadyen, Gillian Anderson, Hayley Atwell and Kim Cattrall

    WINNER - Best Serial Drama BAFTA
  • Date: 2009
    Production (role): THE LAST DAYS OF LEHMAN BROTHERS
    (Director)
    Company: BBC Drama / BBC Two
    Project details: TV Film

    With James Cromwell and James Bolam
  • Date: 2008-09
    Production (role): MRS MANDELA
    (Writer / Director)
    Company: BBC Four / Two
    Project details: TV Film

    With Sophie Okonedo, David Harewood and David Morrissey
  • Date: 2008
    Production (role): CAUGHT IN A TRAP
    (Director)
    Company: Greenlit / ITV
    Project details: TV Film

    With Geraldine James, Jim Carter and Connie Fisher
  • Date: 2007-08
    Production (role): THE CURSE OF STEPTOE
    (Director)
    Company: BBC Drama / BBC Four
    Project details: TV Film

    With Jason Isaacs and Phil Davis

    WINNER - Best Single Drama RTS
  • Date: 2006
    Production (role): AMEN
    (Writer)
    Company: Channel 4 Drama / Touchpaper
    Project details: Feature-length script
  • Date: 2005
    Production (role): OUR HIDDEN LIVES
    (Director / Producer)
    Company: BBC Four
    Project details: TV Film

    With Sarah Parish, Ian McDiarmid, Lesley Sharp, Richard Briers and Michael Fassbender
  • Date: 2004-05
    Production (role): THE SLAVERY BUSINESS
    (Director / Producer)
    Company: BBC Two
    Project details: TV Film

    With Jack Shepherd and Robert Pugh
  • Date: 2004
    Production (role): A MOST MYSTERIOUS MURDER
    (Director)
    Company: Touchpaper / BBC One
    Project details: Pilot drama for series

    With Julian Fellowes and Michael Fassbender
  • Date: 2003
    Production (role): THREE SISTERS
    (Director)
    Company: BBC Four
    Project details: Television version of West End play

    With Kristin Scott Thomas
  • Date: 2002-03
    Production (role): THE VICE
    (Director)
    Company: Touchpaper / ITV
    Project details: Drama series

    With Tim Pigott-Smith and Nigel Terry
  • Date: 2002
    Production (role): THE FALKLANDS PLAY
    (Director)
    Company: BBC Drama
    Project details: TV Film

    With Patricia Hodge, James Fox and Robert Hardy
  • Date: 2001
    Production (role): EASTENDERS
    (Director)
    Company: BBC One
    Project details: 4 Episodes
  • Date: 1999-00
    Production (role): EASTENDERS
    (Director)
    Company: BBC One
    Project details: 12 episodes including a 40-minute Special
  • Date: 1998
    Production (role): BROOKSIDE
    (Director)
    Company: Channel 4
    Project details: 18 episodes
  • Date
    Production (role)
    Company
    Project details
  • Date: Current
    Production (role): THE ORCHESTRA (Currently Writing to Direct)
    Company: Sid Gentle Films
    Project details: Single film for BBC 2
  • Date: Current
    Production (role): THE BOY WHO WOULD BE SHAKESPEARE
    Company: Ecosse Films
    Project details: Feature Film
  • Date: Current
    Production (role): BLOOD OVER WATER (Co-writer, to direct)
    Company: Harbour Pictures/Tideway Films
    Project details: Feature Film
  • Date: 2015
    Production (role): UNSAID (Writer, to direct)
    Company: Nick Wechsler
    Project details: Feature Film
  • Date
    Production (role)
    Company
    Project details
  • Date: 2003
    Production (role): TRAVELS WITH MY UNFIT MOTHER (Director / Producer)
    Company: Lion / BBC One
    Project details:
  • Date: 2001
    Production (role): CASTLE (Director / Producer)
    Company: Lion / Channel 4
    Project details: History documentary
  • Date: 2001
    Production (role): AGAMEMNON
    (Director)
    Company: BBC Factual
    Project details:
  • Date: 2000
    Production (role): EQUINOX - THE SCIENCE OF STRESS (Director / Producer / Writer)
    Company: Lion / Channel 4
    Project details:
  • Date: 1997
    Production (role): DANIEL HANDLEY: A STOLEN LIFE (Director / Producer / Writer)
    Company: BBC One
    Project details: Drama-documentary
  • Date: 1996-97
    Production (role): CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL (Director / Producer)
    Company: BBC Documentaries (6 Episodes)
    Project details:
  • Date
    Production (role)
    Company
    Project details
  • Date: 2003-04
    Production (role): THE DUEL (Writer)
    Company: Radio 4
    Project details: 90 minute drama

    With David Threlfall and Patricia Hodge
  • Date
    Production (role)
    Project details
  • Date: 1999-00
    Production (role): CROSSING THE LINE (Writer)
    Project details: Feature film script set in South Africa

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