In a personal tribute published by the Guardian, actor Miranda Richardson recalls her friendship and working relationship with Sam Neill, describing him as cool, suave and unexpectedly shy, as well as a "great, democratic guy with no bullshit". Her recollections form part of the wider tributes following Neill's death, capturing both his screen presence and the warmth he showed colleagues off-camera.

Richardson recounts several shared projects, including Merlin in 1998, where Neill spoke of his ambitions for his winery Two Paddocks, and And Then There Were None in 2015, when he gave cast members his own pinot noir. She also recalls filming Rams in Australia in 2020, where Neill praised her for exploring the region rather than staying near the hotel, which she took as high praise given how much she valued his approval. Richardson notes his devotion to his farm and animals, his growing social media following during the Covid pandemic, and what she describes as his courage in facing mortality without worry.