Michael Sheen’s breakout performance was as British politician Tony Blair in the 2003 movie “The Deal.” Prior to the 1994 Labour Party leadership race, Blair and Gordon Brown made the Granita pact, which was the subject of the Channel 4 movie.
It was Sheen’s third time working with both Morgan and Frears, who also directed the film. Sheen remarked that he thought it was amazing how frequently he ended up playing leaders when looking for monsters to play. The movie was well-received by critics, who praised Sheen’s sincere and complex performance.
He was up for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role BAFTA Award. Sheen starred in “Dirty Filthy Love,” an ITV comedy about a man with OCD and Tourette’s, that same year.
For his performance, he was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Television Actor. Sheen has also starred in other movies like “Laws of Attraction” and created the BAFTA-winning short film “The Banker.”
Sheen portrayed the UN Inspector in 2005, the National Theatre’s rendition of David Farr’s “The Government Inspector.” His performance received plaudits for its genius and originality. Despite praising his technical mastery, The Evening Standard expressed uncertainty regarding his mimicry of Rik Mayall throughout the play.
Sheen took part in the Old Vic’s 24-Hour Play as well, when he was praised for being dazzling. He played the lead in the Welsh/Irish movie “Dead Long Enough” and had a minor part in Ridley Scott’s “Kingdom of Heaven.”
How did Michael Sheen meet Anna?
They met on the set of The Seagull in 1995 and shortly began living together.