Ryan Sampson: Everything I Write Is Informed By Losing My Mum

At the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards, Danny Dyer delivered an emotional speech when accepting his trophy for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme. ‘I’d like to dedicate this to Ryan Sampson,’ he said, gesturing to his co-writer and co-star in the audience. ‘One of the greatest things to come out of Rotherham. And I know that’s not saying much,’ he joked, ‘but he’s one of the best actors this country’s ever produced. I’m telling you, he’s never done the same thing twice, which is not something I can say! But you wrote this part, mate, for me. You found me a really good job. You won this for me, mate. I really appreciate it.’

Between Dyer’s quips, the camera flits to an emotional Sampson, who plays Dyer’s brother in the Sky comedy. That moment ‘honestly was unbeliveable’ Sampson tells C&TH looking back. ‘What a guy for being so incredibly generous.’

‘There was a time not too long ago when I’d never have imagined anything was going to go well in my life again,’ Sampson adds. ‘It felt like everything had taken such a downward turn. And so to be sat there at a night like that, with a man like him saying such lovely things about me – it was unreal. I cried bizarrely too much on national TV.’

From his roots in Rotherham right up until that touching evening, we sat down with Sampson to dig into his career to date. But first, let’s take a look at the trailer for Mr Bigstuff season 2, returning to Sky this evening.

Interview: Ryan Sampson

Hi Ryan, how’s life going at the moment? 

Pretty good, thank you for asking. Although it’s a weird time of year, this – we’ve finished a new series, it’s all polished up, and now we’re waiting for it to be born into the world. I’m pacing nervously like an expectant Dad. 

Mr Bigstuff is about to return for series 2. Can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

OK, hang on, let me get my cue cards. So first of all, it’s the best show on TV. I’m legally obliged to say that, but also it helps that I actually do think so. I wanted to make a show that’s seriously funny and also intensely dramatic – and I think we’ve made one that is both. Ultimately, it’s a comedy about two estranged brothers coming together. It’s about broken families and loss, and about how two completely different guys go about the business of being a man. However, it’s also ridiculous; series two has one scene in particular that I’d absolutely guarantee will make you laugh out loud. Guaranteed. Or your money back. 

What can we expect this time around? 

Well the two brothers are on the hunt to find their Dad. It finds them shunted into a lot of weird situations, and on the way, all of the skeletons in their family closet are forced out into the open. We also have a very brief cameo from Sean Williamson of EastEnders/Extras fame as a furious children’s party clown. What’s not to love? 

‘Glen is a buttoned-down little man, a traditional, conservative, Ned Flanders nice-guy.’ (Ryan Sampson as Glen in Mr Bigstuff © Sky UK)

You write the series as well as star in it. Where did the idea for the first series come from, and did you always have this series 2 idea in your back pocket? 

It was a mixture of wanting to bring to life a ridiculous idea (what if me and Danny Dyer played brothers?) and wanting to write a really funny comedy drama about things that are always on my mind. I lost my Mum some years ago and that loss sort of hovers in the background of all the scripts I make. I think everything I write is informed by that, even if it’s funny.

How would you describe Glen? 

Glen is a buttoned-down little man, a traditional, conservative, Ned Flanders nice-guy. However as the series progress we are slowly introduced to the idea that perhaps there is a well of boiling anger inside him, forever kept under the surface.

What inspired the character when you were writing him? 

I’ve played a lot of very flashy, front-foot oddballs (Tommo in Brassic, Grumio in Plebs) and I wanted to make a character who is more reserved, more internal, and yet for that to feel funny and real as well. 

How would you describe Glen and Lee’s relationship? 

Fractious. Abrasive. They want to tear into each other. There’s so much back story, so many years of built-up feelings and complications, that they’re always ready to have a go at each other, even to break into a full fist fit in the ball pit at a Harvester restaurant (spoiler). I love writing that side of it because it feels so true to family relationships. Also it allows for some of the most epic fight scenes that I’ve ever seen. 

Looking back to pre-production, how did you know Danny Dyer was the right man to play Lee?

Well because I wrote it around what he is. People don’t realise what an excellent actor he is. There’s a certain breed of actor who work on instinct, who are alive to the emotions of the character at any moment, and it makes them doubly watchable. Danny is one of those, as is Harriet who plays Kirsty.

What is your relationship like? And your vibe together on set? 

I feel like he’s my actual big brother. When you’re around him you feel like anything could happen, like you might get dragged into any mad scenario. I’ve had nights out with Danny and that’s really not an overstatement.

You’re also really well known for your roles in Plebs and Brassic (among others), but what has been your favourite project to date?

This is far and away my favourite thing to work on. For years I’ve known that I wanted to do something a bit more than act in other people’s shows – I wanted to make the show itself. I love acting but I just wanted to actually craft the thing. Getting to do that is an insane privilege and is so fun. 

Any other roles or projects in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!)

Yes, I’m currently filming The Other Bennet Sister, a period drama for the BBC. It’s based on Pride and Prejudice, and I play Mr Collins. Fans of the original book will know him as the oddball vicar. I am eternally drawn to playing an oddball. 

‘For years I’ve known that I wanted to do something a bit more than act in other people’s shows – I wanted to make the show itself.’ (Ryan Sampson, photographed by Pip Dusadeevijai. Styling by Prue Fisher. Grooming by Tarik Bennafla, repped by Stella Creative Artists)

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past and which co-star did you learn the most from?

I loved working with Celia Imrie. She played my nan in a comedy series we made years ago. She’s mischievous and excitable and so much fun to be around. She once said to me ‘you mustn’t be afraid to make a nuisance of yourself in this business – the people who are nuisances get ahead’. She was talking about pushing yourself forward a bit, asking to audition for things when nobody believes in you, etc. I thought that was a great insight. 

What’s your dream role? 

I want to play a crime boss. An oddball (always), preferably cockney, slightly camp villain type. I had a taste of doing a megalomanic bad guy when I played Luke Rattigan in Doctor Who (tried to take over the planet with a horde of alien colleagues) – but that was a little bit more manic. Next time I’m going for ‘louche’. 

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of? 

I’d definitely be up for doing more drama. I’m loving doing the comedy roles at the moment, but I’d really like to create an interesting character who is strange but not necessarily funny. We’ll see. 

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with? 

I love Toby Jones and I have such huge respect for Jason Watkins. I worked with him on a job when I was a teenager and was amazed at the transformation he makes when he goes into a character. 

Do you live in the town or the country? Which do you prefer? 

I live in Hackney, which I love. It’s mad and busy and there’s loads of excellent places to eat. We bought a house here last year and finally feeling like I’m part of a community is great. 

What do you miss about the north when you’re down south? 

I miss the warmth and the uncomplicated social interactions that you can just have on any given day. However I do also go back up north and now find it really draining sometimes when you just want to get a bit of shopping and end up in a half hour conversation with a friend of your friend’s dad’s uncle’s sister. 

What do you like to do in your free time? 

Free time?! Haven’t heard of her. I love reading and carving little things out of wood and seeing friends, but I wouldn’t mind getting to do a bit more of it. 

How can we all live a little bit better? 

Gratitude. Gratitude is an under-appreciated force which makes everything better. I am not pre-disposed to it, I have to actively continuously work on it (my notes app on my phone is bonkers – endless lists of things that I’m grateful for). But it’s very much worth it. 

‘I am eternally drawn to playing an oddball.’ (Ryan Sampson, photographed by Pip Dusadeevijai. Styling by Prue Fisher. Grooming by Tarik Bennafla, repped by Stella Creative Artists)

Ryan Sampson Recommends…

I’m currently watching… My weight. I’m about to turn 40 and am determined to enter that decade in good condition. But Christ, who knew there were so many calories in a Pret A Manger sandwich?

What I’m reading… An excellent book called Little by Edward Carey, a strange biography of Madame Tussaud. Read it – you will not believe what her life was like. 

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… I reviewed episode 5 of this series of Mr Bigstuff and it made me cry. Nothing makes me cry. Honestly Harriet Webb is sensational in it. 

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Operation Mincemeat at the theatre; I’m going next week.

Favourite film of all time… Mrs Doubtfire. Don’t knock it until you’ve re-watched it, Robin Williams at the peak of his genius. 

Favourite song of all time… It changes all the time. I’m fickle.

Band/singer I always have on repeat… At the moment it’s the new album from the DJ Barry Can’t Swim. 

My ultimate cultural recommendation… The entire work of Robin Williams. 

Cultural guilty pleasure… I love that brand of 90’s tv show where a scathing woman would go into somewhere and make people cry. Currently me and my boyfriend are watching Mary Portas’ Queen of Shops – it’s like 20 years old, but god it’s good!

Mr Bigstuff returns for series 2 9pm Thursday 24 July 2025 on Sky Showcase. Catch up on NOW.

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