
Sam Riley
Known for Acting · 36 credits
- Born
- 1980-01-08 (age 46)
- Place of birth
- Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK
- Also known as
- Samuel Peter W. Riley
Biography
He is best known for playing the lead role of Ian Curtis in the movie Control, a biopic about the lead singer of the 1970s post-punk band Joy Division. His performance in the role won him the British Independent Film Award for "Most Promising Newcomer". He also won a Kermode for Best Actor 2007 for the film. Prior to his portrayal of Ian Curtis, Riley played The Fall frontman Mark E. Smith in the Michael Winterbottom film 24 Hour Party People, which details the Factory Records era. His scenes, however, were omitted from the final cut. In September 2007, Riley was cast in Gerald McMorrow's British science fiction film Franklyn. He will play a lead role in 13, an English-language remake of the French thriller 13 Tzameti. He is currently playing the role of Pinkie Brown in a remake of Brighton Rock alongside Helen Mirren.
Known For
TV Shows (5)
Movies (31)

Maleficent
2014
as Diaval

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
2019
as Diaval

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
2016
as Fitzwilliam Darcy

The Vault
2021
as James

13
2010
as Vince

Suite Française
2015
as Benoit Labarie

Radioactive
2020
as Pierre Curie

Byzantium
2013
as Darvell

On the Road
2012
as Sal Paradise / Jack Kerouac

Bulk
2026
as Corey Harlan

Free Fire
2017
as Stevo

Rebecca
2020
as Jack Favell

Control
2007
as Ian Curtis

Alfons Jitterbit – Class Trip Chaos!
2022
as Jack

Widow Clicquot
2024
as Louis Bohne

Firebrand
2024
as Thomas Seymour

Brighton Rock
2010
as Pinkie

Sometimes Always Never
2019
as Peter

The Dark Valley
2014
as Greider

John Cranko
2024
as John Cranko

Franklyn
2008
as Milo

Islands
2025
as Tom
Tough Love
2000
as James Milton

Cezanne on Art
2026
as Joachim Gasquet

Happy New Year, Colin Burstead
2018
as David Burstead

Woman in Love
2011
as Wagenmeister

She Is Love
2023
as Idris

Robby and Toby's Fantastic Voyager
2016
as Brad Blutbad

Lenny Blue
2002
as James Milton

The Naked King - 18 Fragments on Revolution
2019
as Narrator English (voice)

Shadow Play: The Making of Anton Corbijn
2009
as Self
About Sam Riley
He is best known for playing the lead role of Ian Curtis in the movie Control, a biopic about the lead singer of the 1970s post-punk band Joy Division. His performance in the role won him the British Independent Film Award for "Most Promising Newcomer". He also won a Kermode for Best Actor 2007 for the film. Prior to his portrayal of Ian Curtis, Riley played The Fall frontman Mark E. Smith in the Michael Winterbottom film 24 Hour Party People, which details the Factory Records era. His scenes, however, were omitted from the final cut. In Septe… With 36 credits spanning from 1997 to 2026, Sam Riley has appeared in 31 films and 5 TV shows.
Fans searching for Sam Riley movies, Sam Riley filmography, or the latest projects starring Sam Riley can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Sam Riley Movies
- Maleficent (2014) — as Diaval
- Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) — as Diaval
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) — as Fitzwilliam Darcy
- The Vault (2021) — as James
- 13 (2010) — as Vince
Where to Watch Sam Riley Films
Most Sam Riley movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Sam Riley, check our movies catalogue and browse page.




