Actor Spotlights are features examining the careers and impacts of talented performers working in film and television. The latest looks at Sam Nivola, who recently starred as “Lochlan Ratliff” in The White Lotus season 3.
Be sure to check out our earlier Actor Spotlight features. They cover stars like Jensen Ackles, Jack Quaid, Titus Welliver and more.
Over the past few years, Sam Nivola has gradually been growing his career with a variety of roles and projects.
Nivola, 21, delivered a standout performance as Lochlan Ratliff in HBO’s acclaimed dark comedy-drama anthology The White Lotus.
But before signing up, the young actor already counted Bradley Cooper, Adam Driver and Carey Mulligan as past co-stars.
Although born in London, England, Nivola grew up in Brooklyn, New York City. His parents are acclaimed actors Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola.
In a March 2025 interview with HUNGER, Sam Nivola revealed what inspired him to get into acting initially.
He told the publication: “I actually got into movies before I really got into acting itself. I mean, I did all the school plays and everything — I always found it really fun, of course. How could you not?
“But when I was about 15, I started spending my allowance on a Criterion subscription and one thing led to another.
“When I got my first audition to be in a Noah Baumbach movie, I was more excited about
the prospect of getting to meet and be on the set of one of my favourite directors than I was about the acting itself.
“But then once I got the role and got to act opposite such amazingly talented people, it made me want to just get better and be able to go toe to toe with those people.”
So, without a further ado, let’s take a look at some of the rising star’s past projects.
The White Lotus (2025)
In a high profile role, Sam Nivola starred as shy High School senior Lochlan Ratliff throughout The White Lotus season three.
Across eight episodes, the actor delivers a strong, powerful performance opposite an impressive veteran cast.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, Nivola said of his character: “I knew from the very start what kind of a guy Lochlan was.
“I think that speaks to Mike’s [White] writing—the fact that every scene is a sort of microcosm of who the characters are on the whole. I felt an instant connection with him.”
The character – and his wealthy North Carolina family – come to stay at White Lotus’ resort in Thailand.
Notably, Lochlan features in a widely discussed incest storyline with older brother Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger).
The pair were partying when things took a turn – leading to sharing a kiss. From there, the scene progressed even further – although the brothers’ memories are hazy by the next day.
Nivola told Variety about filming multiple versions of the aftermath – with different directions for the story.
In one version, Lochlan seemingly remembers what occurred, but isn’t honest about it. While in the final iteration, he doesn’t fully recall until a pivotal moment.
The actor added: “At the end of the day, Lochlan is not a creep, necessarily. Of course, I have to say that. You have to love your character.
“So, f**k it, I’ll defend him! I think he’s incredibly misguided, and his circumstances have put him in a bad spot, but I don’t think he’s evil or malicious in any way.
“It’s important to the story that he’s not some psychopath.”
Rounding out the clan are dad Timothy (Jason Isaacs), mom Victoria (Parker Posey) and middle child/sister Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook).
Maestro (2023)
This biographical romantic drama film explored the relationship between real-life American composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre.
As for Sam Nivola, he played the role of Alexander Bernstein, the couple’s son.
Alexander is one of their three children, along with Jamie (Maya Hawke) and Nina (Alexa Swinton)
Directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, the cast also included Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer and Sarah Silverman.
Producers included Hollywood heavyweights Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese.
The film was highly acclaimed, receiving seven Academy Award nominations – including Best Picture.
The Perfect Couple (2024)
This mystery crime drama miniseries premiered on Netflix in September 2024.
It follows Amelia (Eve Hewson), who is all set to marry into an extremely wealthy Nantucket family – until a murder derails everything.
With everyone now a suspect, who was ultimately responsible?
Sam Nivola portrays Will Winbury, the groom’s soft-spoken younger brother and “baby” of the family. Does that sound slightly familiar?
He worked opposite Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber, who played his on-screen parents Greer and Tag.
The actor also shared the screen with a fellow White Lotus star – Meghann Fahy, who played “Daphne” in season 2.
Eileen (2023)
Nivola’s role in this psychological thriller, directed by William Oldroyd, marked a darker turn for the young actor.
His character, Lee Polk, is an inmate in a corrections facility for teenage boys – having fatally stabbed his father.
New psychologist Rebecca Saint John (Anne Hathaway) decides to dig into Lee’s reasons for his crime – and finds harrowing answers.
Marin Ireland plays Nivola’s on-screen mother; with other cast members including Thomasin McKenzie, Shea Wigham and Owen Teague.
Set in 1964, the film was based on Ottessa Moshfegh’s 2015 novel of the same name. She also co-wrote the screenplay with her husband Luke Goesbel.
White Noise (2022)
Oscar-nominated director Noah Baumbach both helmed and wrote the screenplay for this absurdist comedy.
In terms of Baumbach’s career, White Noise is notable as his first film to not be derived from an original story.
Nivola told Hero: “I got the first movie I auditioned for through my high school and I was mainly doing it because it was directed by Noah Baumbach.
“As someone who wants to be a director, I just wanted any excuse to be in the same room as this dude.”
Based on Don DeLillo’s 1985 novel, the premise follows Professor Jack Gladney (Adam Driver) and his amid trials and tribulations beginning with an environmental disaster.
Sam Nivola plays Jack’s son Heinrich Gladney, with his real-life sister May Nivola playing screen sister Steffie Gladney.
The star-studded cast also included Greta Gerwig, Don Cheadle, Jodie Turner-Smith and Bill Camp.
Follow writer Conor O’Brien on X.
A lifelong TV and Film buff, Conor founded Courageous Nerd in 2019. He has conducted hundreds of interviews for the site, as well as written comprehensive feature articles on a variety of topics. You can find him on X: @conorrcn.
Leave a Reply