Samuel was born in Hamilton, Victoria, the son of Maree and Clifford Samuel. He grew up in Adelaide, South Australia and graduated from Rostrevor College in 2001. He has a younger brother, Benedict, a writer, producer and actor, as well as an older sister, Bridget, a stage manager. Despite completing his senior secondary years at Rostrevor College, Samuel undertook final year drama at Christian Brothers College under the tutelage of Amanda Portus, where he played the part of Tom Snout (the wall) in Rostrevor College's production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as playing "Belvile" in CBC's production of Aphra Behn's The Rover (The Banished Cavaliers). Xavier Samuel later attended Flinders University Drama Centre in 2005, where he studied under renowned acting teacher Professor Julie Holledge. He played Hamlet in the graduate production.

The Stolen Girl
Marcus Turner · (4 episodes)
2025

The Clearing
Colin Garrison · (1 episode)
2023

Blonde
Cass Chaplin
2022

Elvis
Scotty Moore
2022

Tell Me Your Secrets
Kit Parker · (10 episodes)
2021

Riot
Jim Walker
2018

Bad Blood
Vincent & Gilroy
2017

Seven Types of Ambiguity
Simon Haywood · (6 episodes)
2017

The Death and Life of Otto Bloom
Otto Bloom
2017

A Few Less Men
David
2017

Mr. Church
Owen
2016

Spin Out
Billy
2016

Love & Friendship
Reginald DeCourcy
2016

Frankenstein
Adam "The Monster"
2015

Fury
Lieutenant Parker
2014

Healing
Paul Atherton
2014

Plush
Enzo
2013

Drift
Jimmy Kelly
2013

Adore
Ian
2013

Bait
Josh
2012

Anonymous
Earl of Southampton
2011

A Few Best Men
David Locking
2011

Boys On Film 6: Pacific Rim
Dan (segment "Drowning")
2011

The Loved Ones
Brent Mitchell
2010

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Riley
2010

Road Train
Marcus
2010
Further We Search
2009

Drowning
Dan
2009

Newcastle
Fergus
2008

September
Ed Anderson
2007

Angela's Decision
Will Turner
2006

2:37
Theo
2006
The Great Departure

McLeod's Daughters
Jason · (1 episode)
2001