Michael Sheen says he finds it ‘hard to accept’ non-Welsh actors playing Welsh roles
Actor is the latest actor to weigh in on the long-running authenticity debate
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Michael Sheen has admitted he has trouble accepting non-Welsh actors playing Welsh roles.
The actor, who was born in Newport, Wales, made the remarks while discussing his new role in BBC One’s Best Interests, in which he plays the father of a child with cerebral palsy.
He noted that there were several people with disabilities working on the project, leading him to talk about of how far actors can plausibly play people whose experience they have not shared.
“You know, seeing people playing Welsh characters who are not Welsh, I find, it’s very hard for me to accept that,” the 54-year-old told The Telegraph. “Not particularly on a point of principle, but just knowing that that’s not the case.
“That’s a very different end of the spectrum, but a part like Richard III [the disabled Shakespeare character] is such a great character to play, it would be sad to think that that character, you know, is no longer available or appropriate for actors to play who don’t have disabilities, but that’s because I’m just not used to it yet, I suppose.
“Because I fully accept that I’m not going to be playing Othello any time soon,” he added, referring to Shakespeare’s Moorish military commander. Until around 1981, the role of Othello was frequently performed by white actors, including the Sir Anthony Hopkins and the late Laurence Olivier, wearing Blackface makeup.
“Again, it’s not particularly a point of principle, but personally, I haven’t seen many actors who have come from quite privileged backgrounds being particularly compelling as people from working-class backgrounds,” Sheen continued.
“If you haven’t experienced something, you know, the extreme example is, well, if you haven’t murdered someone, can you play a murderer?”
Sheen’s comments are the latest in a long-running discussion around authentic casting.
Last month, Helen Mirren said she had tried to “turn a blind eye” to criticism after she, a non-Jewish Brit, was cast as former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir.
Suranne Jones, meanwhile, who is straight but has played gay characters in Gentleman Jack and Vigil, said she did not agree with Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, who previously declared that gay roles should be left to gay actors.
Best Interests, which co-stars Sharon Horgan and Lenny Rush, airs on BBC One on at 9pm on Monday 12 June.