Sam John Troughton (born 21 March 1977) is an English actor who has made appearances in Robin Hood (2006–2009), Alien vs. Predator (2004), Hex (2005), The Town (2012), The Hollow Crown (2016), The Ritual (2017), Peterloo (2018), Chernobyl (2019), The Outlaws (2021), Litvinenko (2022), and Napoleon (2023).
Early life He is the son of actor David Troughton and the grandson of the second Doctor Who actor Patrick Troughton. His younger brothers are the former Warwickshire cricketer Jim Troughton, and actor William Troughton. Troughton attended Bridgetown Primary School in Stratford-upon-Avon and then Trinity Catholic School in Leamington Spa. He went on to study drama at the University of Hull, graduating in 1998.
Career Troughton is a Shakespearean actor who has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and has thrice been nominated (2000, 2001, 2002) for the Ian Charleson Awards, awarded to young actors for performances in classic plays.
In 2005 Troughton starred in the horror films Spirit Trap alongside Billie Piper, and Alien vs. Predator, and several television productions including Sky One's Hex. He has appeared in the SAS-themed drama Ultimate Force. From October 2006 he appeared in the BBC Robin Hood series (2006–2009), in which he features as Robin's ex-manservant, Much.
Troughton's stage roles include Orlando in Samuel West's production of Shakespeare's As You Like It at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. He returned to the RSC as part of the 2009–2011 ensemble, appearing at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. In 2009 he played Marcus Brutus in Julius Caesar and Third Gentleman in The Winter's Tale. In 2010 he played Romeo in Romeo & Juliet and King Arthur in Morte D'Arthur at the Courtyard Theatre. Other roles include a stage production of A Streetcar Named Desire in Liverpool.
He played Thomas in Bull at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 2013 and Edmund in King Lear at the Royal National Theatre in January 2014.
Troughton starred in David Eldridge's new play Beginning at the Royal National Theatre and at the Ambassadors Theatre in 2018. More recently he starred in Chernobyl (2019) as Aleksandr Akimov. Between May and July 2019, he appeared in Rutherford and Son at the Royal National Theatre alongside Roger Allam.
In 2020 Troughton starred in the biographical comedy drama film Mank, alongside a cast which included Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins and Charles Dance. In 2021 he appeared as Mr. Wilder, the community service boss, in The Outlaws, a BBC series created by and starring Stephen Merchant also featuring Christopher Walken.
In 2022 he played Detective Inspector Brian Tarpey in the ITV drama, Litvinenko, detailing the final days and subsequent murder investigation into the death of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko.
In 2023 he appeared as the revolutionary Maximilien Robespierre in Napoleon, Ridley Scott's movie rendition of French leader Napoleon Bonaparte's life.
In 2025 Troughton played fictional reporter Murray Guthrie in the Sky Atlantic TV series Lockerbie: A Search for Truth.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2003 Sylvia Tom Hadley-Clarke2004 Alien vs. Predator Thomas Parks Vera Drake David 2005 Spirit Trap Nick2017 The Ritual Dom Slumber Charlie Morgan 2018 Peterloo Mr. Hobhouse Directed by Mike Leigh 2020 Mank John Houseman 2023 Napoleon Maximilien Robespierre
Television Year Title Role Notes 2000 Summer in the Suburbs Police Constable TV film2002 Ultimate Force Stuart Episode: "The Killing House" Foyle's War Policeman 2 Episode: "The German Woman"2003 Seven Wonders of the Industrial World H. Percy Boulnois Episode: "The Sewer King" Judge John Deed PC Doug Welkin Episode: "Conspiracy"2004 Gunpowder, Treason and Plot Thomas Winter TV film Messiah: The Promise Thomas Stone TV film 2005 Hex Jez Heriot / Remiel 6 episodes 2006–2009 Robin Hood Much 38 episodes2012 Silent Witness DI Johnny Vickers 2 episodes Holby City Nick Mooney Episode: "Blood Money" The Town Jeff 3 episodes 2013 Dancing on the Edge Prince of Wales 2 episodes2016 The Hollow Crown George, Duke of Clarence 2 episodes: "Henry VI part II", and "Richard III" Casualty Sean Barnes Episode: "All I Want for Christmas Is You" 2017 Midsomer Murders Henry Marsh Episode: "Crime and Punishment"2018 Vera Noel ITV The Little Drummer Girl Captain Meadows 2 episodes 2019 Chernobyl Aleksandr Akimov Miniseries; 4 episodes 2019–2020 The Trial of Christine Keeler D.S. John Burrows 6 episodes 2020 Death in Paradise Malcolm Simmons Episode: "Murder on Mosquito Island"2021 The Outlaws Mr. Wilder 4 episodes Stephen Ed Jarman Miniseries, 3 episodes Ragdoll Thomas Massey 4 episodes 2022 Litvinenko DI Brian Tarpey 3 episodes 2023 The Lazarus Project Dr. Samson Recurring role2024 A Very Royal Scandal Donal McCabe Miniseries, 3 episodes Black Doves Stephen Yarrick 6 episodes 2025 Lockerbie: A Search for Truth Murray Guthrie 5 episodes 2026Prisoner Will O’Neil 6 episodes TBA The Siege TBA Upcoming drama series
Awards Year Award Category Work Result Ref2000Ian Charleson AwardsOutstanding performances by actors under 30 in classical rolesHenry VI, Part 1 - (Royal Shakespeare Company) 2001Richard III - (Royal Shakespeare Company) 2002Tartuffe - (Royal National Theatre)
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