Tom York is Sam Carne

He reveals what it was like playing Demelza’s brother, Sam Carne, in the new series of Poldark.

"It is a bit daunting coming into an already established drama, and such an iconic one at that, but the whole cast and everyone in the crew were all so welcoming which helped to make the transition into the show really easy. Eleanor (Tomlinson), who plays my sister, was so great and gave Harry (Richardson) who plays our brother, and I time to get to know her so we got to build up a rapport before we started filming which was great. Those are gifts you don’t usually get.

"The three of us have become good friends and that has made such a difference with playing a family on screen because you have a freedom and a short hand on set."

The chance to play a devout Methodist initially drew Tom to this role.

"Sam is so different to me and it is such a gift to play someone who has an unusual point of view but one I was really excited to investigate. Sam is a fascinating character to explore because he has a powerful conviction that he carries with him; he is a fervent Methodist and is on a mission, as he perceives it, from God to save the souls of the people of Cornwall. It is very rare as a young man to get to play a part where there is a real principle.

"Sam has had a tough life; he had an abusive father, his mother wasn’t around, he lives in poverty, his sister leaves and as the oldest of the family he is trying to look after everyone else. He soon finds this very dogmatic, rule based form of Christianity and it saves his life. In 1794 religion was such a powerful aspect and God is in everyone’s lives but especially in Sam’s."

With a great responsibility put upon his shoulders it is no wonder why Sam sees such highs and lows this series. Tom tells us what is in store for his character…

"At the start of the series disaster strikes however this finally allows Drake and Sam this freedom to get out of the horrible situation in which they have been living. The two of them take a gamble and ask Demelza if she can provide them with any opportunity and she very graciously does.

"As the series goes on there is trouble with George Warleggan (Jack Farthing), there are problems with the local church as Sam starts to develop his own flock and because he is a charismatic preacher he gains a following and place in the community which disrupts a few things. Sam also has a love interest, which is very difficult for him because he is supposed to be devoted to God but he can’t help himself and he falls in love with the wrong girl."

Sam’s intensity definitely rubs Ross up the wrong way a few times but Tom assures us it all comes from a good place.

"For all of Sam’s perceived high and mightiness and religious conviction, at the core of it is this pervading love for his siblings and the wider community. God has saved him and all he wants to do is save everyone else. For Sam this is reality, not just an abstract concept and so the stakes are high which naturally causes friction.

"Ross has been very generous to Sam and Drake but he also sees things very differently and if anything is a block on bringing Demelza to Methodism it is Ross and so they have a fractious relationship and a few disagreements. Ross probably quite quickly regrets taking the boys in!"

In addition to playing such an interesting character, Tom has also really enjoyed wearing his costumes.

"For me personally costume is really important as it gives you so much of your character. Sam wears a worn down, miners outfit for a lot of the time and it helped me get into the zone and the time period. It was very cold; they didn’t have thermals in the 1700’s! Sam also has his preacher outfit for when he gains a little bit of money and notoriety within the community, which I adore. It gives me a sense of gravitas, I felt the command and power and when you get the costume right it gives you so much for free."

For Tom though, one of the best parts of this job was getting to see Cornwall in the sunshine.

"Cornwall is one of the most beautiful places in the world; I had never seen anything quite like it before. Those cliffs with incredible sheer drops to the ocean and the sunset right in the middle, it’s amazing. When you’re stood in these incredible landscapes with your costume on and you can barely see a technological device in sight it really does feel like you are there, it’s a special place. Luckily for us, one of the first things we did was film all of the exterior scenes in Cornwall. That really established so much for us and when we went to the studio we had that sensual memory which was really useful."

Whilst filming Poldark has been an amazing experience for Tom, he pinpoints one specific moment he will always remember.

"One day we were shooting a scene where Sam is preaching outside the mines and it is the scene I did in my audition that I always thought honestly shows Sam for who he is. I really enjoyed that day of filming and felt I really connected to Sam. It seemed, to me, like the epitome of the character and it was shot in Cornwall with the sun shining and it was one of those rare, perfect moments on set that I will remember for a long time."

Character descriptions

Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner)
Ross attempts to deny his nature and isolate himself from the affairs of others but, with the stakes now higher than ever, he must find a compromise between what he wants and the needs of those who depend on him.

Demelza Poldark (Eleanor Tomlinson)
Demelza decides she will no longer be passive in her own life but, in learning to be her own master, she must determine what she truly wants for herself and how far she’s prepared to go for it…

George Warleggan (Jack Farthing)
No longer content to lord over Truro through finance alone, George finds new worlds and opportunities opening to him, but the obstacles he faces turn his journey of ambition into one of discovery on several fronts.

Elizabeth Warleggan (Heida Reed)
Contrary to her expectations, Elizabeth finds herself once again navigating a world of uncertainties and guarding a grave secret. She comes to learn, however, that she wields far more power than she’d previously realised…

Dwight Enys (Luke Norris)
A man of integrity and compassion, Dwight finds himself pushed to his limits by the war with France, battling not only the French but his own demons and the doubts they rouse; both abroad and at home.

Caroline Penvenen (Gabriella Wilde)
Rich, beautiful and clever, Caroline navigates society’s tiers masterfully but finds the complexities of married life, and love, can be altogether more challenging.

Tholly Tregirls (Sean Gilder)
Tholly was a friend of Ross father’s before he fled Cornwall and the law many years ago. His womanising and recklessness haven’t been forgotten, and his ability to stir the adventurer in Ross could spell trouble for all…

Morwenna Chynoweth (Ellise Chappell)
Morwenna is Elizabeth’s cousin, and finds herself in George’s employment to support her sisters and widowed mother. Morwenna soon discovers, however, that there are things more important in life than one’s sense of duty or place…

Sam Carne (Tom York)
Sam arrives in his sister Demelza’s world determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, spreading the Methodist word. But how can Sam profess to save strangers when his own brother courts temptation?

Drake Carne (Harry Richardson)
A good natured free-spirit, Drake has many of the qualities of his sister Demelza. He seeks his own place in the world and finds himself unwilling to settle for the limits life seeks to impose; especially concerning his romantic destiny…

Hugh Armitage (Josh Whitehouse)
As the nephew of Lord Falmouth, Hugh has grown up in the shadow of expectation – a fact he is keenly aware of. But Hugh is also a romantic and wilful. He would do as he chooses with his future, and being true to one’s heart rarely comes without a cost…

Osborne Whitworth (Christian Brassington)
Osborne is from an esteemed family and a reverend. Driven by lustful desires, the widower seeks a new wife and George sees there is a social advantage in helping him…

Emma Tregirls (Ciara Charteris)
Lusty and headstrong, Emma isn’t a follower of anyone. When the Carne brothers arrive with God in tow, Emma is therefore the first to poke fun at Sam’s piousness - but people have a strange way of getting under your skin and, as they say, opposites often attract…

Lord Falmouth (James Wilby)
A man of ancestral power, his will has dictated the people and politics of Truro for generations but Falmouth finds a revolution in thought occurring, one that threatens to upend the status quo…

Sir Francis Basset (John Hopkins)
Sir Francis is one of the wealthiest men in the county but where Basset chooses to ally himself will have significant consequences for the people of Truro…

Tom Harry (Turlough Convey)
Tom Harry is George’s right hand man and delights in carrying out his master’s dirty work. With George’s rising power, Tom Harry finds his own increased – and he’s only too happy to wield it.

Aunt Agatha (Caroline Blakiston)
Resilient and wily as ever, Agatha resists the Warleggan occupation of Trenwith with all the fervour she can muster, sparing what energy she has left to look out for the Poldarks both at home and at Nampara.

Prudie Paynter (Beatie Edney)
Prudie is Nampara’s loyal servant and an increasingly central part of the Poldark unit. For all her bluster, Prudie is as loyal as they come and not averse to voicing her opinion - whether it’s asked for or not!

Ray Penvenen (John Nettles)
Caroline's kindly, sweet-toothed Uncle Ray has raised her since she was orphaned. Ray is one of the county's wealthiest and most powerful gentlemen.

Cary Warleggan (Pip Torrens)
George’s uncle, Cary is shrewd and determined to win the respect of the ruling classes. However, his uncouth manner and lack of humanity works against him.

Captain Henshawe (John Hollingworth)
An old friend of Ross, Henshawe was Mine Captain of Wheal Leisure when Ross’ father was alive. He is well-respected in his field.

Harris Pascoe (Richard Hope)
Ross’ banker and long standing friend, Pascoe is a shrewd businessman. He frequently counsels Ross to be more cautious in his business dealings, and frequently fails.

Reverend Dr Halse (Robin Ellis)
Halse is a powerful Magistrate who has little sympathy for the poor. However, whereas he once held Ross in contempt, he begins to see the value in Ross, and we sense Halse is not as blinkered as we’d reason to believe.

Zacky Martin (Tristan Sturrock)
One of Ross’ oldest and loyalist friends, Zacky has worked in his mines for years and is well respected by both commoners and local gentry alike.

Related Media Centre Links

• Filming started for Poldark Series Three

Related Web Links

• Mammoth Screen