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Sam Miller

Sam Miller (born 28 September 1962) is a television director known for his work on acclaimed series such as and . He began his career directing episodes of dramas including (1994–1996) and the cult series This Life (1996–1997). Miller gained international recognition for directing multiple episodes of the crime drama (2010–2019), earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Directing for a , Movie, or Dramatic Special in 2012. His direction of the / series (2020) won him a BAFTA Television Award for Best Directing – Fiction/Entertainment in 2021 and two additional Emmy nominations in the same category. He has also directed episodes of Guerrilla (2017), (2018), and American Crime (2016).

Biography

Early life

Sam Miller was born on 28 September 1962 in , , . , a small in rural East , provided the setting for his early years, though specific details about his upbringing and family background remain limited in public records. Little is documented regarding potential family influences on his interest in the or his formal education prior to entering the industry.

Personal life

Sam Miller was previously in a long-term relationship with actress Janine Wood, with whom he has a son, William Miller, born on June 8, 1996, in . William has pursued a dual career as an and footballer, notably portraying the in the 2007 BBC adaptation of . Miller also has another child, Gilly Miller, a and media composer. In 2019, Miller married actress , and the couple has two sons together. The family resides in , where Miller collaborates with the London-based production company Mustard Film. William's entry into acting reflects a continuation of the family's involvement in the entertainment industry, given both his parents' backgrounds in television and .

Career

Baseball Prospectus

Miller joined Baseball Prospectus in 2012 as a , where he contributed columns blending statistical analysis with cultural commentary on . He became in 2016, overseeing the publication's annual guidebook and editorial direction until September of that year. In November 2023, Miller returned to Baseball Prospectus as managing editor. As of 2025, he continues to contribute to the annual edition and other publications.

ESPN

In September 2016, Miller joined as a national columnist and feature writer for and . His work explored player performance, team strategies, and the societal impact of , emphasizing data-driven insights. He remained in this role until December 2020, when he was laid off amid ESPN's restructuring, subject to a that limited his media activities until early 2023.

Book and podcast

In 2015, Miller and fellow writer Ben Lindbergh served as co-general managers for the independent Sonoma Stompers, applying sabermetric principles such as defensive shifts and experimental rules. Their experience was chronicled in the 2016 The Only Rule Is It Has to Work: Our Wild Experiment Building a New Kind of Team. From 2012 to 2016, Miller co-hosted the daily podcast Effectively Wild with Lindbergh, discussing trends, interviewing experts, and blending analysis with humor; he appeared in episode 1000 before leaving for . Due to his non-compete, he made limited guest appearances until 2023. In March 2025, Miller joined The Athletic's The Windup podcast as a permanent host for the Roundtable segment.

Independent writing

Since March 2023, Miller has published the newsletter Pebble Hunting on , covering niche topics, fan behavior, historical oddities, and the of . As of November 2025, he is serializing a book-length project, The Meaning of in 18ish Fun Facts.

Filmography

Sam Miller, the writer, has no known credits in or television directing, , or producing.

Awards and nominations

British Academy Television Awards

Sam Miller shared the 2021 BAFTA TV Craft Award for Best Director: Fiction with for their work on the / series . The ceremony took place on May 24, 2021, recognizing the behind-the-scenes craftsmanship that elevated the series' intimate portrayal of trauma and consent. Miller directed the first three episodes, including the pilot "Eyes Eyes Eyes Eyes," which introduced protagonist Arabella's disorienting return from and set the nonlinear tone for exploring sexual assault's aftermath. He co-directed episodes four through twelve with Coel, blending their visions to maintain the series' raw, introspective style. This accolade affirmed Miller's skill in innovative storytelling, particularly his use of close-up cinematography and fluid pacing to convey psychological complexity without sensationalism, contributing to the series' broader critical impact on conversations about and . The win, alongside the series' multiple other BAFTA honors, solidified Miller's reputation for directing fiction that prioritizes emotional authenticity and narrative subtlety. No further BAFTA nominations or wins in directing categories have been recorded for as of 2025.

Primetime Emmy Awards

Sam Miller earned his first Primetime Emmy nomination in 2012 for Outstanding Directing for a , Movie or a Dramatic Special for his work on the thriller series , where he directed episodes that showcased his ability to build tension in psychological dramas. In 2021, Miller received two nominations in the Outstanding Directing for a Limited or or Movie category for the / series I May Destroy You. The first was for the episode "Ego Death," co-directed with , which explored themes of trauma and self-reflection through innovative narrative techniques. The second nomination was for the episode "Eyes Eyes Eyes Eyes," highlighting his precise handling of intimate, character-driven scenes in contemporary drama. These three nominations underscore Miller's international recognition for directing in the thriller and drama genres, affirming his skill in crafting compelling visual storytelling that resonates across global audiences. His work on I May Destroy You also complemented a BAFTA Television Award win for the series.

References

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