Roku UK: We caught up with The Syndicate’s Sam Phillips to chat TV and Film

As the third series of BBC One’s The Syndicate comes to a close, we asked one of the show’s stars, Sam Phillips, to chat about his work as an actor and to give us the run-down on what he likes to watch on his Roku streaming player.

Roku: So what has working on The Syndicate been like, and how did you find playing the unlikeable Spencer Cavendish?

Sam: It’s been a great series to be involved with and the reaction to Spencer has been great. I think that people have really bought into Spencer as a character who they love to hate. In fact I was approached in the park the other day by someone who had perhaps bought into the role a bit too much and he decided to have a word with ‘Spencer’. It’s great fun though and I guess that kind of reaction means that people have really got into the series.

It’s also fun to play a character with morals and behaviours completely different to your own. Spencer gets to say a whole manner of things that I wouldn’t normally say.

(C) Rollem Productions – Photographer: Matt Squire

Roku: You’ve been involved with film (Far from the Madding Crowd and Hot Property) as well as TV roles. Do you have a favourite when it comes to TV and film?

Sam: I really couldn’t pick between them. I don’t really change my acting approach when it comes to film and TV. I tend to go on the individual project and how I feel about it. I love the variation that being an actor gives you as I enjoy theatre work too.

Roku: How about your own viewing habits – are you a binger?

Sam: Yes I do binge watch – but part of that is down to my job. I go through periods when I am working and I just don’t get a chance to watch TV. So being able to catch-up when I have some time is great. I also don’t like to wait – sometimes I only mean to watch one episode of something and the next thing I know I’ve watched 3 episodes in a row.

I think that’s what is so good about streaming – there is such a variation of channels and content available when you want it.

Roku: So what do you like to watch and what are you watching now?

Sam: Breaking Bad is one of my favourite box sets, in fact I enjoyed it so much so that I have actually seen it twice! I also really enjoyed the first series of True Detective and am planning to catch up on the new season soon. Bloodline on Netflix is another box set that I have recently binged my way through and I am currently watching Episodes with Matt LeBlanc.

The Louis Theroux documentaries have also been a good watch – and have certainly given me some insight into middle America.

Roku: What about films? What is your all-time favourite and which role would you love to play?

Sam: I never get tired of the Shawshank Redemption – it’s a film that I revisit often. The second question is a bit more difficult to answer! It’s so hard to pick one film role, but if I have to I’m going to go with Sam “Ace” Rothstein in Casino. Robert De Niro is just such a cool customer – the way he deals with people…

You can watch some of Sam’s favourites on the Roku channels below:

Breaking Bad, Seasons 1-5 (Netflix)
Bloodline, Season 1 (Netflix)
Louis Theroux, Weird Weekends / LA Stories and more (Netflix)
Episodes, Season 4 (BBC iPlayer)
True Detective, Seasons 1-2 (Now TV)
Casino (Now TV)
The Syndicate (BBC iPlayer)