Samantha Morton: The Fellowship 2024

There’s an intrinsic wisdom and grit to 2024’s BAFTA Fellowship recipient. On film, her characters have told the future in a dystopian America, journeyed to a commune for celebrity lookalikes, and hunted witches and wizards; they’ve also immigrated, brought up families, and experienced grief. Mostly, in one way or another, the women Samantha Morton has played have been survivors.

“Films should be provocative. Films should make people have conversations”, Morton says when we speak. She is calling from the set where she is directing a new, low-budget project in her hometown of Nottingham, as made by her own production company.

In true indie spirit, Morton can’t waste any time. All the while speaking passionately about acting and creativity, she is simultaneously eating a sandwich, getting into hair and makeup and preparing to direct herself onscreen.

Christina Newland: Congratulations on the BAFTA fellowship. how does it feel?

Samantha Morton: I was confused! I had to read the email a couple of times and then I was very emotional. My speech can’t be very long: I’ll have to get through everything I want to say in 90 seconds.

CN: How important was regional film community and support to your early career?

SM: I trained at the TV workshop in Nottingham in the late 80s and early 90s. Central TV and Carlton Studios funded the workshop. Sadly, the investment isn’t there for young people anymore, because all the investment studios have pulled out. It’s heartbreaking because in the Midlands, much like Manchester or Leeds, the crews and the talent on offer are extraordinary.

CN: It’s rare for an actor to both have such a variety of roles and genres in their work, but to also maintain what feels like a particular sensibility. What are you thinking about when you look at a script?

SM: I (strike a balance) between television, independent cinema, and also try to tell stories that I believe have to be told. And should be told – because of their social message. That’s massively important to me, with films (about real people) like Longford (2006) or Control (2007). I do enjoy playing working-class women, because that’s what I understand. But I can also play the Queen of France! They just have to be utterly believable to me.

CN: Tell me about the experience of making Morven Callar with Lynne Ramsay and playing such an enigmatic character?

SM: Lynne and I spent a lot of time talking about her. She’s been in care in the book, and that was something I identified with; the PTSD thing of feeling removed from the situation. She (carries) that from childhood, and so when her boyfriend kills himself, she is watching her own life. My relationship with Lynne is one of so much inspiration and pride. I think she’s genuinely a genius in the way she sees the world.

CN: It’s often been said that you’re an actor who can utilise a silence as well as you can a line delivery.

SM: It’s life, isn’t it? Not everybody is speaking all of the time. they might be listening. Or maybe they’re not listening; maybe they’re waiting to speak, or thinking of what they’re going to say. That’s human behaviour.

CN: You’ve worked with some great, idiosyncratic filmmakers, from Harmony Korine to Darren Aronofsky. What do you look for in a director’s vision or approach?

SM: It’s my dream to work with anybody that has a vision: please invite me to the party. I love watching them work, how they choose the shots, decide their camera movements, lighting decisions, editing, music. I like auteurs. What drives me crazy is when I’m working with people that don’t have passion. If you love film, you should have a little more danger in you. A vision in your heart.

CN: What appealed to you about the recent television roles you’ve taken on, as in Harlots or The Serpent Queen?

SM: I love historical drama. I get to learn, I get to do what I love, be part of a family and learn about history. It’s amazing. And I get to travel. I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

• See who else received awards at the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2024

Awarded every year by the Academy, the BAFTA Fellowship is the highest accolade given to an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or TV. Previous Fellows include Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier and Judi Dench.

For more inspiring stories from the world of film, games and TV explore our BAFTA Award Stories.

See a full list of previous BAFTA Fellows.