Samantha Dodd is a well-established name in the British entertainment industry, widely respected for her unique journey from the world of performance to becoming one of the most passionate and specialised agents in the country. As the co-founder of Carey Dodd Associates, she has carved out a reputation as someone who understands both sides of the business—having lived the life of a performer before moving into the management and agency world. Her career reflects resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to the craft of acting and performance, particularly in areas that often go overlooked, such as physical theatre, performance capture, and specialist skills within the screen industries.
Early Life and Training
Samantha Dodd’s roots in performance began at the famous Redroofs Theatre School. Known for producing household names in British acting, Redroofs provided her with a solid foundation in musical theatre. However, what made Samantha stand out was her natural gravitation toward physical expression and performance techniques that required body language and movement rather than traditional vocal delivery.
During her training, she explored mime, movement, and the intricacies of communicating without words. This interest in physical storytelling became a defining feature of her career and later played an important role in shaping her philosophy as an agent. She often refers to her time at Redroofs as the “concrete foundation” upon which she built her professional life, and she has frequently spoken about the sense of teamwork, discipline, and creative experimentation that marked her time there.
Early Career as a Performer
After graduating, Samantha entered the performance world with enthusiasm. Her early credits were both diverse and challenging, particularly as she was drawn to roles that required high physicality. One of her most notable early appearances was in a touring stage production of Paddington, which demanded energy, charisma, and the ability to captivate audiences of all ages.
Her breakthrough into mainstream recognition came with the BBC’s beloved children’s series The Tweenies. Cast as Jake, she brought warmth and liveliness to a character that became a staple of British children’s television during the late 1990s and early 2000s. This was no easy role—it demanded endurance, animatronic performance, and deep physical commitment.
Following The Tweenies, Samantha continued to expand her career, appearing in The Fimbles and participating in numerous projects that made use of animatronics, costumes, and physically demanding performance styles. These roles were physically challenging, often requiring long hours in hot, heavy costumes, and demanded a level of stamina that only a highly disciplined performer could maintain.
The Turning Point: Injury and Transition
Like many careers in performance, Samantha’s path was not without challenges. In her thirties, she sustained an injury that forced her to reconsider her future in front of the camera and on stage. For many performers, such a turning point could spell the end of their involvement in the arts. For Samantha, however, it became the start of an entirely new chapter.
While recovering, she began helping her own agent with day-to-day work. What began as temporary assistance soon blossomed into a passion. She discovered that she had a natural talent for organisation, networking, and understanding the needs of both clients and casting professionals. Most importantly, she brought empathy and lived experience into the world of agency—a rare quality that performers appreciated greatly.
Founding Carey Dodd Associates
In 2012, Samantha co-founded Carey Dodd Associates alongside Chris Carey. The partnership combined decades of industry experience with a clear vision: to create an agency that valued not just mainstream acting talent but also those with unique physical and performance skills.
Carey Dodd Associates quickly gained recognition as a London-based agency specialising in performance capture, voice work, prosthetics, and physical theatre. This niche focus made the company stand out in a crowded field of general talent agencies. Samantha’s credibility as a former performer allowed her to build authentic relationships with both clients and casting professionals, bridging the gap between specialist performers and the broader industry.
Focus on Performance Capture and Specialist Work
One of Samantha’s strongest contributions to the entertainment industry has been her advocacy for performance capture and physical theatre artists. For years, performers working in prosthetics, creature suits, and motion capture were often seen as “specialist extras” rather than recognised actors. Samantha challenged this perception.
She argued consistently that these performers were, first and foremost, actors—talented individuals who deserved the same respect as those delivering dialogue on screen. Under her guidance, Carey Dodd Associates became known for championing performers who could embody fantastical characters, breathe life into animated figures, or deliver physicality that traditional performers could not.
This advocacy aligned with a broader industry shift. As Hollywood and British film productions began investing more heavily in visual effects, motion capture, and fantasy genres, the demand for specialist performers grew. High-profile actors started taking on such roles, and casting directors began treating “creature casting” as serious acting. Samantha’s vision helped pave the way for this evolution.
Philosophy as an Agent
At the heart of Samantha’s career is her philosophy of personal management. She believes strongly in nurturing individual careers rather than treating clients as just names on a roster. Her approach involves listening to performers, identifying their strengths, and guiding them strategically through opportunities that align with their long-term aspirations.
Unlike some agencies that focus purely on numbers and transactions, Samantha sees her role as deeply personal. She has often spoken about the satisfaction she feels when watching her clients thrive, whether that means landing a major television role, securing a spot in a blockbuster film, or achieving recognition in theatre.
Her philosophy also extends to ensuring that the industry treats all performers with dignity. She knows firsthand the frustrations of being typecast or overlooked and works tirelessly to prevent her clients from facing the same barriers.
Leadership in Voice Work
Alongside her work in physical performance, Samantha has also made strides in voice representation. She spearheads Carey Dodd Voices, the agency’s dedicated voice arm, which manages a range of clients for commercials, audiobooks, animation, and more. This diversification reflects her understanding of the changing demands of the entertainment landscape, where voice acting has become a powerful industry in its own right.
Contributions to the Industry
Samantha’s influence stretches far beyond her own agency. She has served as a consultant for production companies, advising on creature work, prosthetics casting, and physical performance teams for film, television, and even gaming projects.
Over the years, her work has contributed to productions that have gone on to win BAFTA, Emmy, and Royal Television Society awards. This track record cements her role not just as an agent but also as a behind-the-scenes architect of success for countless productions.
Personal Traits and Legacy
Those who work with Samantha often describe her as approachable, passionate, and determined. She balances professionalism with warmth, ensuring that clients feel supported while also holding them to the highest standards. Her resilience—turning an injury into an entirely new career path—illustrates her adaptability and determination.
Her legacy lies not only in the careers she has helped to shape but also in the way she has elevated the perception of specialist performers within the UK and beyond. By pushing for recognition and respect, she has helped create opportunities for artists who might otherwise have been overlooked.
Conclusion
Samantha Dodd’s story is one of transformation and vision. From her beginnings as a performer at Redroofs Theatre School, through her career in children’s television and physical performance, to her eventual role as co-founder of Carey Dodd Associates, she has demonstrated a rare ability to reinvent herself while staying true to her passion for performance.
Today, she stands as a leading figure in British talent representation, shaping the careers of performers across theatre, film, television, and voice work. Her emphasis on respect, personal management, and recognition of specialist skills continues to influence the way the industry views actors in performance capture, prosthetics, and physical theatre.
