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Samantha Spiro

Samantha Spiro

Actor · Born June 20, 1968 (58) · Mill Hill, London, England, UK

Samantha Spiro (born 20 June 1968) is an English actress and singer. She played Barbara Windsor in the stage play Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick and the television films Cor, Blimey! and Babs, D.I. Vivien Friend in M.I.T.: Murder Investigation Team, Melessa Tarly in the HBO series Game of Thrones, and Maureen Groff in Sex Education. She has won two Laurence Olivier Awards. Description above from the Wikipedia article Samantha Spiro, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 20, 1968 (58)
From
Mill Hill, London, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
29 on MovieCove · 59 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 4% in 30 days

What are Samantha Spiro's films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
34%
Bonds
22%
Morality
15%
Survival
13%
Ideas
9%
Society
6%
Justice3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMemory2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 3 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 5 · Intense 0

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 1 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 3 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role
  • Heroas Babs in Babs (2017)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
4
Tense
4
Hopeful
3
Warm
2
Contemplative
3
Other
6

How their films linger

Bittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Samantha Spiro's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 29 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Samantha Spiro's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

59 credits, 29 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Beatles: Ringo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2028)

    as Gracie

  • Narnia: The Magician's Nephew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2027)

    as Beaver (voice)

  • Scope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Fiona

  • Missing You(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Nurse Sally

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all shows

  • Hard Truths(2024)

    as Nicole

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Only Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as Lydia Bartlett

  • Hoard(2023)

    as Michelle

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • One Life(2023)

    as Esther Rantzen

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Still Up(2023)

    Show 8 episodes · as Christine

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Beyond Paradise(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Yvonne Wiley

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • The Other Half (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Penny

  • Where Is Anne Frank(2021)

    as Edith Frank (voice)

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Ragdoll(2021)

    Show 3 episodes · as Joy Massey

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all shows

  • The Larkins(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Bertha

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Ridley Road(2021)

    Show 4 episodes · as Liza Epstein

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Pops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Roz Jacobs

  • Semi-Detached (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 6 episodes · as Kate

  • Kings of Broadway 2020: A Celebration of the Music of Jule Styne, Jerry Herman, and Stephen Sondheim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • A Battle in Waterloo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Mary

  • Horrible Histories: The Movie - Rotten Romans(2019)

    as Mrs Felix

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Sex Education(2019)

    Show 25 episodes · as Maureen Groff

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Agatha and the Truth of Murder(2018)

    as Pamela

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Lady Windermere's Fan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Mrs Erlynne

  • Grandpa's Great Escape(2018)

    as Patricia

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Porters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Rebecca

  • Babs(2017)

    as Babs

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Carnage(2017)

    as Edith Paper

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Me Before You(2016)

    as Josie Clark

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Tracey Ullman's Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Birgit

  • London Spy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 4 episodes · as Detective Taylor

  • Macbeth - Live at Shakespeare's Globe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Lady Macbeth

  • Inside No. 9(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Sue

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Taming of the Shrew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Katherina

  • Psychobitches (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Audrey Hepburn · as Barbara Castle · as Barbara Stanwyck · as Gracie Fields · as Jackie Kennedy / Queen Victoria · as Jessica Mitford / Betty · as Katharine Hepburn · as Liz Taylor / Golda Meir · as Lucille Ball / Janet Leigh / Amelia Earhart · as Marilyn Monroe / Mary, mother of Jesus

  • Plebs(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sylvia

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Panto! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Di

  • Bad Education(2012)

    Show 6 episodes · as Pro Green · as Professor Green

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • A Running Jump (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Debbie

  • Playhouse Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Audrey Hepburn · as Barbara Castle · as Jackie Kennedy / Queen Victoria · as Liz Taylor / Golda Meir · as Marilyn Monroe / Mary, mother of Jesus · as Mary Whitehouse / Judy Garland

  • Call the Midwife(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Grace Calthorpe

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Vera(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Belinda Rayford

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Game of Thrones(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Melessa Tarly

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Grandma's House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 12 episodes · as Auntie Liz

  • After You've Gone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ann Venables

  • Not Going Out(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Bigoted Woman

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Who(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Hazran

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Doc Martin(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Tina Collins

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Murder Investigation Team (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 8 episodes · as DI Vivien Friend

  • Tomorrow La Scala! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Jayney (Mrs. Lovett)

  • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Red Lady (voice)

  • Double Income, No Kids Yet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 6 episodes · as Katie

  • From Hell(2001)

    as Martha Tabram

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Coupling(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeffina

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Cor, Blimey! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Barbara Windsor

  • Guru in Seven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Sharon

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Phyllis Cuttle

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Beyond Bedlam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as WPC Foster

  • Bill's Included (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 6 episodes · as Siobhan

  • Something Else (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Judith

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 59 titles, 55 of them dated from 1994 to 2025; peak year 2024.

Biggest box office

Me Before You (2016)

$208M worldwide

Highest rated

Me Before You (2016)

Midcredits 91st

Film career

19942025

Peak 2024 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting59 of 59: 59 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score78th

By decade

1990s3 · acting2000s11 · acting2010s25 · acting2020s16 · acting

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 9 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Samantha Spiro's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 67th percentile, the median of all 11; across their 6 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 65th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Approval · how many liked their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

80thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Midcredits score across 29 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 29 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Where Is Anne Frank (2021)

57th percentile spread · 19% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

One Life (2023)

Midcredits 96th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 72/100 in their films, across 6 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 50. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Samantha Spiro's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 31 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 30 · mildMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 52 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 36 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Samantha Spiro work with?

People who share at least 2 of Samantha Spiro's MovieCove titles; Blake Harrison shares the most, 2.