Sam Yates

Sam Yates (born August 1983) is an Olivier Award-winning British director working in theatre, film and television. He has been described as "a major talent" in The Guardian, and "a director of unusual flair" in The Observer.

Yates is known for his "eclectic body of work" and his "superb sense for casting", having directed Andrew Scott, Daisy Ridley, Ruth Wilson, Hayley Atwell, Gemma Arterton, Christian Slater, Matthew Broderick, Ciaran Hinds, Jane Horrocks, Matthew Rhys and Anjelica Huston.

Early years and education Yates grew up in Stockport and attended Poynton High School. The filmed National Theatre Live production, directed by Yates, played in cinemas internationally and took over $2.5million at the box office.

Yates' productions have been nominated for Olivier Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Murder Ballad (2017), and Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for The Phlebotomist by Ella Road (2019).

He directed feature debut Magpie featuring Daisy Ridley and Shazad Latif. The film premiered at South by Southwest in 2024.

Personal life

He is in a relationship with Irish actress Charlie Murphy.

Works

Theatre 2026: Golden Boy (Almeida Theatre) 2023/2025: VANYA (Duke of York's Theatre, Lucille Lortel Theater, Off-Broadway) 2021: The Two-Character Play (Hampstead Theatre) 2020: A Separate Peace (Zoom) 2018/2019/2020: Incantata (Galway International Arts Festival, Gate Theatre, Dublin, Irish Repertory Theatre, Off-Broadway) 2019: The Starry Messenger (Wyndham's Theatre) 2017/2019: The Phlebotomist (Hampstead Theatre Studio and transfer to Main Stage) 2017/2019 Glengarry Glen Ross (Playhouse Theatre and UK No1 Tour) 2017: Desire Under the Elms (Sheffield Theatres) 2016: Murder Ballad (Arts Theatre) 2015: Cymbeline (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse) 2014/2015: East Is East (Trafalgar Theatre and UK Tours) 2015: Outside Mullingar (Ustinov Studio) 2014: Billy Liar (Royal Exchange, Manchester) 2013: The El Train (Hoxton Hall) 2012/2013: Cornelius (Finborough Theatre, 59E59 Theaters, Off-Broadway) 2011: Mixed Marriage (Finborough Theatre) 2006: Purgatory (C Venues, Edinburgh Festival Fringe) 2005: Macbeth: The Hour (C Venues, Edinburgh Festival Fringe)

Film and television 2025: Towards Zero (BBC, Mammoth Screen) 2024: Magpie (feature film) 2020: Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar 2015: The Hope Rooms (short film)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2025 Drama League Award Outstanding Direction of a Play VANYA 2025 Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Director VANYA 2025 New York Outer Critic's Circle Best Revival VANYA 2025 Drama League Award Outstanding Revival of a Play VANYA 2025 Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Solo Show VANYA 2024 Olivier Awards Best Revival VANYA 2024 WhatsOnStage Awards Best Revival VANYA 2019 Olivier Awards Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre The Phlebotomist