A few years ago, Sam C Wilson was asking his mates to listen to his monologues and tell him whether he sounded convincing. These days, he's swapping scenes with some of the biggest names in the business, with roles in Masters of the Universe, Blade Runner 2099 and the upcoming California Avenue.
Yet despite a career accelerating at warp speed, Wilson remains refreshingly free of Hollywood polish. He happily admits that imposter syndrome hasn't entirely disappeared. He's still capable of replaying scenes in the hotel mirror long after the cameras stop rolling.
Ahead of a run of major releases – and with a wedding to plan in between – we caught up with the Welsh actor to talk dream roles, Jim Carrey impressions, and those tight, tight T-shirts of his past.
Life
What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?
I can’t wait for everyone to see Masters Of the Universe. It’s so cool and so fun to be part of this new cinematic universe that’s kind of bursting out into a brand new existence. I remember actually being so excited back when the first X-Men and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man came out, and it really feels like I’m on the ground during something like that.
I’m buzzing about Blade Runner 2099 too. I’m super proud of my work in that, but I honestly have no idea when we’ll see it – hoping for later this year. I guess building those worlds takes a lot of time in post.
I am also in a new series with Helena Bonham Carter, Erin Doherty and Bill Nighy called California Avenue, which I shot late last year, and this all feels very much NOT REAL. This stuff was like abject fantasy not very long ago for me.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
I think my proudest professional accomplishment is really believing that I belong in the room – and that’s happened over these last three years or so. I do feel I kind of defied some odds to be in this position.
In certain moments, I have felt as though I have one-upped imposter syndrome. I’ve hardly had it tough at all, but I didn’t know anyone in the industry or anyone who’d made a living off it growing up. It just wasn’t the world I moved in, really.
Then I went through a phase of really not thinking I’d even be able to get into drama school and wrestled with the idea that I may be deluded. I used to get my mates to listen to the odd monologue and say, “If you heard that in a film, would you buy it?”
What a basis for a friendship – soothing your giant and slightly insecure actor friend that, don’t worry, it will all be okay.
If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?
Consistency. It’s a real thrill when a bolt from the blue comes and you get this great gig. It’s weird though – it kind of always finds you when you’ve succumbed to home life. Similarly, the quiet spots can catch you right when you’re riding a wave of feeling invincible.
Would the highs still be quite as high though? Perhaps it’s the inconsistency that I love. Even my answer can’t be consistent, so what hope has my career got… haha!
I would also love a little green light to ping on when it’s been a good take. Good directors will let you know, but some are like poker players. I’ve definitely gone home and repeated the last scene of the day in my hotel mirror. Eat your heart out, Taxi Driver.
What do you hope to achieve that you haven’t yet?
I’d love to lead a film. Have enough time and space to get really, really embedded in a character. To have an excuse to do all the homework.
When I look at films like Gosling’s Half Nelson, that kind of thing, the French movie Rust and Bone – those sorts of character-driven, up-close-and-personal dramas that take the audience right in – I’d love that.
Outside of your family, who is / was your biggest inspiration?
When I was a kid – whether or not I feel it now, I’m not sure – there is no getting away from the repeated mentions of Jim Carrey. In every home video, school diary entry and anecdote, Jim Carrey in Liar Liar, Ace Ventura and as The Riddler were those VHS tapes I watched and impersonated again, and again, and again.
I also love anything with Colin Farrell. I think he’s absolutely one of the great actors of our time.
More recently, Sandra Hüller – oh my God, she’s just amazing. I always have favourites, but I could watch her over and over and learn something new every time.
Tell us something nobody knows about you…
Both my parents are English, with Irish heritage, and I spent the first year of my life in Nottingham. So despite all of my childhood – apart from the horizontal bit – being in South Wales and feeling incredibly Welsh, it has ALWAYS plagued me that I don’t have the lineage, or technically even the birthright.
Me and my family are honorary Welsh and, in such a patriotic environment, that has always made me feel as though I’m lacking in something quite significant.
Style
What’s your favourite item of clothing – and what does it mean to you?
I have this white fleece that I got from a vintage shop in Istanbul. I’m aware that sounds comically performative.
It’s not because I am cool – it’s because I ran away to Turkey after a particularly painful event in my life and, whilst I was there, a friend of a friend who IS cool bumped into me and within minutes told me to buy this two-piece towelling fleece and shorts.
He just knew I had to. He was right. I feel as though I’m kicking it at home wherever I am in the world. I always wear the fleece with no T-shirt underneath – it just feels like the right thing to do.
Favourite accessory – watch / jewellery / etc – and why is it special to you?
I have the pendant that my wife-to-be got me when we were really early in our relationship. It’s this unique Vitruvian Man and it’s been cast in real gold. She had it made for me.
She’s a midwife and didn’t have much money at the time, so it must have totally bankrupted her, and it made me feel as though someone really thought I was worth a lot to them right when I needed it. She’s an angel, honestly.
I’ve topped it up with a little gold “J” that she bought me after our daughter, Juno, was born.
What's your biggest style disaster?
I think for quite a long time I was wearing T-shirts that were far too tight under the illusion that it might make me look like I’m in REALLY GOOD SHAPE.
There are some pretty diabolical images of me trying to look like a member of The Kooks circa 2007 – skinny jeans and V-neck T-shirt to boot. I think I straightened my fringe as well.
Don’t get me wrong, The Kooks and Arctic Monkeys made it work. I can’t say the same for myself.
Is there an item you threw away – or lost – that you really miss?
I’m a big jewellery fan. When I was eighteen I gave away this fuck-off sovereign ring – solid gold – and I think I got PITTANCE for scrap at some jewellers in Cardiff.
What I would give to see that bad boy sparkling upon my knuckle now. I think of it often.
It was from a place called Half Price Jewellers and you could kit yourself out like Mr T for a couple of hundred quid. It was AMAZING.
What’s next on your shopping list?
Suits. I haven’t needed them until now – my upcoming wedding, other people’s weddings, christenings, premieres. I need suits. All kinds of suits.
I get it now. I get why we wear them. I’m late to the party, but I’ve arrived.
What would you buy if money was no object?
I’d really like to buy each member of my family and friends a nice pad with a garden. I feel pretty strongly about the housing situation we find ourselves in as a country. It’s most people’s number one worry. It would be great to alleviate that.
A few mortgage-less properties to divvy out to all my mates and family and anyone who happens to have shot me a smile that day. Seems like a fair place to start.
I’d also like one too… naturally.
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