
Samantha Morton has been in so many great period films in the last 20 years (and a good deal of great non-period films, as well!). She’s played the ingenue and the bawd and everything in between. Let’s take a look at her resume of historical flicks!
Emma (1996) – Harriet Smith
Jane Eyre (1997) – Jane Eyre
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (1997) – Sophia Western
Dreaming of Joseph Lees (1999) – Eva
Sweet and Lowdown (1999) – Hattie
Pandaemonium (2000) – Sara Coleridge
The Libertine (2005) – Elizabeth Barry
The River Queen (2005) – Sarah O’Brien
Lassie (2005) – Sarah Carraclough
Elizabeth the Golden Age (2007) – Mary, Queen of Scots
Miss Julie (2014) – Kathleen
Cider with Rosie (2015) – Annie Lee
Rillington Place (2016) – Ethel Christie
Harlots (2017 -19) – Margaret Wells

I am going to have to re-watch these films as the only two I remember and that is a vague memory are The Libertine and Emma. Also I’m waiting for the DVD for Harlots or PBS whichever comes first.
“Harlots” is already on DVD;)
Region 1? Thanks I’ll check into it
Does anyone know where I can obtain History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (1997)? I’d never even heard of it! :(
https://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Tom-Jones-Foundling-DVD/dp/B000CIWXGO
Has anyone found a version for Region 1?
History of Tom Jones is absolutely BRILLIANT and so fun and entertaining movie! I can’t recommend it enough. :D Loooooved it!
I will always love Samantha Morton as the voice of Ruby in Max and Ruby — I loved that cartoon! But of the historical I think my favorite was Emma though she’s a perfect Jane Eyre.
I am enjoying watching Samantha Morton in Harlots. And I love the fact that she seems to have maybe 3 dresses. The part is gritty and she’s wonderful.
I know it sounds weird, but there’s just something about her face that “works” for me… I remember seeing her in Minority Report, and I had an instant crush. It always surprises me she’s not a bigger, better-known actress.
I don’t think her face is “period” though…at least not for prior 20th century…
Can we count Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them? It’s not strictly period drama, but it is (supposed) to be in the 20s…
Samantha is my headcanon for older Mary Queen of Scots, mainly because she was the 1st Mary I saw in a movie. The movie portrayed as an embittered, but still charming schemer and that’s how I imagine Mary in her captive years, so far away from the lovely peacemaker Queen who arrived to Scotland… Mary’s costumes in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” were not great, but when Samantha was on screen, she reigned over everything and everyone!
My favourite Jane Eyre! Samantha Morton was fabulous (like her better as Jane than as Harriet in Emma, though it’s one of my fave Emma versions) and had such fabulous chemistry with the totally swoon-worthy Ciaran Hindes…mmmmmmm…….
Samantha Morton was perfect for the innocent Hariet Smith, but her best performance was in “Tom Jones”. I could not believe that there is somebody who could do the role better. Poor Max Beesley – no chance along with such a cast!