Sam Claflin

Claflin was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, to Mark, a finance officer, and Sue Claflin (née Clarke), a teaching assistant. He has two older brothers, Benjamin and Daniel, and a younger brother, Joseph (born 1989), who is also an actor. He grew up in Norwich, Norfolk.

As a child, he had an interest in football. He played throughout his childhood until he broke his ankle, an injury that he felt would prevent him from playing professionally. After some persuasion from his parents and a teacher upon whom he had made an impression during his high school play at Costessey High School, he pursued acting.

A member of the Norwich City School of Excellence, in 2003, he took up Performing Arts at Norwich City College. Claflin subsequently graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2009.