Samantha was born in London, England to an American mother and an English father. She attended Redroofs Theatre School and Hurtwood House. While finishing her a levels she starred opposite Johnny Lee Miller in The BBC's Canterbury Tales. Samantha went on to study English Literature at University College London but left early to play Ophelia alongside Ben Wishaw in Trevor Nunn's acclaimed production of Hamlet. She also works as a writer and director and has a production company Silent Kisses Productions with Daud Shah.