Samantha Morton contends that ‘art doesn’t have to be celebrity’

Written by Kendall McKinnon, Photos by Kendra Frankle and Perrin Smith, Video by Alex Puga and Paige Mathieson

At the 2019 SCAD Savannah Film Festival, English actor Samantha Morton shared her journey through acting during her “In Conversation” discussion. Though well-established as a professional in her field, Morton confessed that she has no method. “I can pretend so well that people believe what I’m doing,” Morton said. Morton’s methodology is simply investing into her characters. “My responsibility is always first and foremost the character,” Morton said.

In conversation with Samantha Morton at the Gutstein Gallery. [Kendra Frankle/scaddistrict.com]

For Morton, acting was never about success. She acts because it’s her love. With this distinction, Morton is able to take the roles she genuinely cares about playing. “It was about the parts I felt had a message,” Morton said.

Samantha Morton poses for a portrait on the red carpet November 2, 2019. [Kendra Frankle/scaddistrict.com]

She has explored different facets of acting by taking on a wide range of characters, acting for both television and film and even directing her own feature film. Throughout Morton’s career, she’s explored and experimented, both in her work and within herself. Morton does what she loves just for the sake of loving it. “Art doesn’t have to be a celebrity. It doesn’t have to be about success,” Morton said.