Samuel Robertson (born 11 October 1985) is a Scottish actor best known for portraying lawyer Adam Barlow in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street.[1]Born and raised in Dundee, Scotland, Robertson initially pursued higher education in Drama and English at the University of Manchester but dropped out at age 18 after landing his breakthrough role in Coronation Street.[2][3] With no prior acting experience, he began his entertainment career as a part-time model to fund his studies, which led to an audition for the soap where he was cast as the son of Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs).[4] Robertson first appeared as Adam in December 2004, departing in 2007 after two-and-a-half years amid challenges with sudden fame and self-doubt about his acting abilities; he took a subsequent break to travel and rebuild confidence.[4]Following his initial exit, Robertson expanded his portfolio with television roles such as Flynn in the E4 comedy-drama Beaver Falls (2011–2012) and Callum Murston in the BBC Scotland miniseries Stonemouth (2015), alongside film appearances including Edward Arkham in the horror Dementamania (2013) and Detective Sergeant Sam Jobson in The Legend of Barney Thomson (2015).[1] He reprised the role of Adam Barlow in Coronation Street in 2016, establishing the character as a regular fixture and earning acclaim for storylines involving legal drama, family conflicts, and personal struggles. Robertson, the grandson of Scottish actress Ann McKay, extended his contract with the soap in 2025 to continue through at least 2026, though his character took a temporary absence from screens earlier that year before returning.[5][6][7]
Early life
Family and childhood
Samuel Robertson was born on 11 October 1985 in Dundee, Scotland.[1] Robertson is the grandson of Scottish actress Ann McKay.[1] He grew up in Dundee as part of a Scottish family.[3] His mother, Tanya Robertson, has spoken publicly about her support for his career choices, reflecting a close family dynamic during his formative years.[8]Robertson's childhood in Dundee was marked by local interests, including being a keen supporter of Dundee Football Club, which highlighted his ties to the community.[3] While specific details on early involvement in performing arts are limited, his upbringing in this working-class Scottish city laid the groundwork for his later pursuits.At the age of 18, Robertson moved to England to pursue opportunities in drama, eventually enrolling at the University of Manchester but leaving after his first year to focus on professional acting.[3]
Education
Robertson, born and raised in Dundee, Scotland, relocated to Manchester to pursue higher education, building on an early interest in performance nurtured during his childhood. In 2003, at the age of 18, he enrolled at the University of Manchester to study Drama and English, with drama serving as a subsidiary component to the primary English focus.[9][10]To support his studies financially, Robertson took up part-time modeling work. He joined the Nemesis modeling agency in 2002, prior to starting university, and appeared in various posters and catalogues.[1][11]Although the drama elements of his course provided an initial exposure to performance techniques, Robertson had limited prior acting experience. Midway through his first year, at age 18 in 2004, he decided to drop out upon receiving an offer for a major television role, marking a pivotal shift from academia to professional acting.[12][3]
Career
Early acting roles
Prior to entering the acting profession, Sam Robertson worked part-time as a model while studying English and drama at the University of Manchester, using the earnings to support his education.[9] This modeling work began after he was spotted by an agent while working in a bar in Manchester, leading to his first modeling gigs, such as earning £800 for two days of shoots following a haircut.[13] The modeling agency soon recommended him for an acting audition, marking his transition from student life to professional opportunities without any prior acting experience.[9]In 2004, at the age of 18, Robertson auditioned for the role of Adam Barlow on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street through this modeling connection.[13] With no formal training, he underwent a brief period of coaching—about a week and a half—before securing callbacks and ultimately landing the part, signing a two-year contract shortly thereafter.[13] This breakthrough came suddenly, as Robertson balanced university for just two months before prioritizing the role, eventually dropping out in his first year to pursue acting full-time.[9]As a newcomer to the industry, Robertson faced significant initial challenges, including a rapid shift from anonymous student life to the pressures of a high-profile show viewed by millions.[9] He described the transition as a "culture shock," noting that he felt unprepared and unsure of his abilities for the first six months to a year on set, compounded by the immediate public recognition that came with the role.[9] Despite limited screen time early on, this period established his foothold in television acting.[13]
Coronation Street
Sam Robertson first portrayed Adam Barlow in Coronation Street in December 2004, playing the son of factory owner Mike Baldwin and exploring early storylines centered on family tensions within the Barlow and Baldwin households, as well as Adam's experiences as a young student navigating university life.[2][14]After three years on the soap, Robertson departed the role in April2007, expressing a desire to seek new acting challenges beyond the long-running series.[15][14][16]Robertson reprised the role of Adam in November2016, returning the character as a qualified solicitor who had been practicing law in Canada before moving back to Weatherfield to support his grandfather Ken Barlow following a stroke.[17][14]Upon his return, Adam's arcs expanded to include high-stakes legal cases, such as defending clients in murder trials and navigating professional rivalries, while his personal life featured a romance with Sarah Platt, culminating in their marriage in February 2020.[18][19]The marriage faced turmoil, leading to their divorce in 2023 after Adam discovered Sarah's affair and her deception regarding the paternity of her unborn child, which strained their relationship irreparably amid ongoing legal and family conflicts.[20][21]In June 2025, Robertson signed a contract extension to continue as Adam until at least November 2026, ensuring the character's involvement in future professional and familial storylines. Earlier in 2025, Adam took a temporary absence from the show before returning later that year.[22][23][7]Adam's development from a naive student in 2004 to a seasoned solicitor by 2016 mirrored Robertson's own maturation as an actor, allowing him to infuse greater depth into the role, including advocating for a more empathetic portrayal upon his return to better reflect his evolved performance style.[17][3]
Other television and film roles
During his hiatus from Coronation Street, Robertson took on the lead role of Flynn, a charismatic and football-obsessed Oxford graduate working as a camp counselor in the E4 comedy-drama series Beaver Falls (2011–2012).[24] The series follows three British friends navigating romance, rivalry, and antics at a California summer camp, with Robertson's portrayal of the confident yet vulnerable Flynn earning praise for injecting energy into the ensemble dynamic.[9] Filming in South Africa provided Robertson with a liberating change from soap schedules, allowing him to explore more comedic territory and bond with co-stars over shared improvisation sessions.[25] Critics gave Beaver Falls mixed reviews, commending its lighthearted vibe and Robertson's natural charm but noting it fell short of the sharp humor of shows like The Inbetweeners, with an overall IMDb rating of 7.6/10.[26][24]In 2013, Robertson entered the Celebrity Big Brother 11 house on Channel 5, where he lasted nine days before becoming the second evictee in a public vote against Neighbours actor Ryan Moloney.[27] His participation, marked by candid discussions on fame and relationships, heightened his public visibility and introduced him to a broader audience beyond scripted television.[28]Robertson continued diversifying with television appearances, including the role of Callum Murston, a key figure in a mysterious death, in the BBC Scotland miniseries Stonemouth (2015), adapted from Iain Banks's novel.[29] The two-part drama, which explores themes of guilt and return to one's hometown, received solid feedback for its atmospheric Scottish setting and tense plotting, earning a 6.5/10 on IMDb.[29] He also took on minor parts in series such as Bedlam (2011) and Push (2010), showcasing his range in supernatural and dramatic genres.[1]Transitioning to film, Robertson made his debut in the horror-thriller Dementamania (2013), playing Edward Arkham, a software analyst plagued by hallucinations after a bizarre insectsting; the low-budget feature premiered at FrightFest and garnered a 65% approval on Rotten Tomatoes for its inventive psychological twists.[30][31] In 2014, he contributed ADR voice work to the crime drama Perfect Sisters, based on the real-life story of two sisters plotting matricide. He followed with supporting roles as Detective Sergeant Sam Jobson in the black comedy The Legend of Barney Thomson (2015), investigating a barber's accidental murders alongside Robert Carlyle, which holds a 62% Rotten Tomatoes score for its quirky Scottish noir style,[32] and as the punk rocker Tommy Gun in the music-infused drama London Town (2016), depicting the 1970s punk scene through a young boy's eyes.These projects highlighted Robertson's versatility amid the demands of soap stardom, though he has spoken about the challenges of transitioning from high-profile Coronation Street recognition to independent work, including typecasting pressures and the need for breaks to recharge creatively.[12] While none generated major awards buzz, they allowed him to build a portfolio of edgier characters, contrasting his long-running soap persona.[33]
Filmography
Television
His television credits, listed chronologically, are as follows:
Year(s)
Title
Role
Notes
2004–2007, 2016–present
Coronation Street
Adam Barlow
Over 800 episodes; returned in 2016 after initial stint from 2004 to 2007 [34]
2005–2006
The Match
Himself
Sports documentary series [35]
2009
River City
Innes Maitland
Guest role as art history student [36]
2010
Push
Jake
Short drama [37]
2010
Being Victor
Danny Burton
Mini-series [38]
2011–2012
Beaver Falls
Flynn
Seasons 1–2, 12 episodes [39]
2012
Bedlam
Dominic
1 episode [40]
2013
Celebrity Big Brother (series 11)
Himself
Contestant, reality series [41]
2015
Stonemouth
Callum Murston
3 episodes, BBC Scotland miniseries [42]
No additional television roles have been reported through 2025, with Robertson continuing in Coronation Street under a contract extension.[22]
Film
Sam Robertson's film career consists of a select number of feature and short film roles, marking his occasional ventures beyond television.[1]
Year
Title
Role
2011
Hot Hot Hot (short)
Tiger
2013
Dementamania
Edward Arkham
2015
The Legend of Barney Thomson
Detective Sergeant Sam Jobson[43]
2016
London Town
Tommy Gun
Personal life
Relationships
Sam Robertson has maintained a relatively private personal life, rarely discussing romantic relationships in public interviews or media appearances. His known partnerships have primarily involved brief encounters with individuals from his professional circle, often sparking media speculation due to their connections to the entertainment industry.[11]In 2019, Robertson was reported to have had a short-lived fling with his Coronation Street co-star Faye Brookes, who portrayed Kate Connor. The encounter occurred during a two-week break in Brookes' relationship with singer Gareth Gates, leading to rumors that contributed to their eventual split later that year. Sources close to the pair described it as a casual involvement that did not develop further, highlighting the challenges of on-set romances in fueling public interest and tabloid coverage.[44][45]Robertson was romantically linked to broadcaster and former footballer Alex Scott in 2020, following a dinner date at London's Dean StreetTownhouse that reportedly did not go as planned due to logistical mishaps. Scott later reflected on the evening in interviews, describing it as a "disastrous" but lighthearted experience with the actor, whom she praised as "lovely." The connection remained brief and did not progress into a long-term relationship, though it drew attention for bridging the worlds of soap opera and sports media. Despite initial rumors, both parties have since emphasized it as a one-off outing rather than a sustained romance.[46][47][48]No further public relationships for Robertson have been documented through 2025, underscoring his preference for discretion amid the scrutiny that often accompanies on-set dynamics in the acting world. Such brief links have occasionally shaped perceptions of his off-screen persona, portraying him as approachable yet elusive in personal matters.[11]
Public appearances and interests
Robertson gained public attention beyond his acting roles through his participation in the eleventh series of Celebrity Big Brother in January 2013.[49] He entered the house on day one but faced nominations from six housemates, primarily for his perceived lack of engagement and frequent napping.[27] On day nine, he was evicted second overall after losing a public vote to Neighbours actor Ryan Moloney.[50] In his post-eviction interview, Robertson expressed relief at leaving, describing the experience as enjoyable but monotonous due to limited activities.[51]In media interviews, Robertson has frequently discussed his Scottish heritage, rooted in his upbringing in Dundee. He has highlighted the contrast between his working-class Dundeebackground and the glamour of the entertainmentindustry, noting how it felt alienating initially as he attended VIP events without prior industry connections.[12] Robertson maintains strong ties to Dundee, identifying as a lifelong fan of Dundee FC and crediting the city's influence on his grounded perspective.[13]Robertson resides in England, where he has lived since his early career move, but he continues to nurture connections to his Scottish origins through family visits and public expressions of pride in his roots.[3]His public engagements have included charitable efforts, particularly football-related fundraisers involving soap stars. In 2006, he participated in a charity match that raised over £15,000 for Leukaemia Care.[52] He joined similar events in later years, such as a 2013 game supporting the England Homeless World Cup squad, reflecting his interest in using his profile for community causes.[53] During his initial Coronation Street stint, Robertson also played in informal charity football games with co-stars, which he described as a fun way to build camaraderie off-set.[4]