Star Sheen opens up on family life and age gap
ACTOR Michael Sheen has opened up about the age-gap challenges of his relationship and being an older father.
The 55-year-old star, from Port Talbot, has been in a relationship since 2019 with Swedish actress Anna Lundberg, 30, whom he appeared with in Staged. The couple have two daughters together.
Sheen also has a daughter, Lily, 25, from his former relationship with actress Kate Beckinsale.
Interviewed yesterday as part of BBC programme The Assembly – in conjunction with Autism Awareness Week (April 2-8) – the Good Omens star was asked a series of questions by 35 neurodivergent people.
Asked by one woman: “How does it feel to be dating someone who is only five years older than your daughter?”, Sheen replied: “I think because of the age difference, I think both of us were quite surprised when we got together.
“I don’t think either of us were looking for that. It’s not like I’ve dated lots of people who are much younger than me, but you meet who you meet.”
As well as Beckinsale, who he was with between 1995 and 2003, Sheen has also been in relationships with actress Rachel Mcadams and comedian Sarah Silverman.
Sheen continued: “We were very aware of what differences that would make and also how people might respond to that. It’s not like it was the easiest thing to do. We were both aware that it would be difficult and challenging. Ultimately, we felt it was worth it because of how we felt about each other. Now we have two beautiful children together.”
But the couple’s age difference has brought the actor some concerns.
He said: “Because of the age difference, I’m aware that I’m a much older father.
“It does worry me. It makes me concerned and makes me sad thinking about the time that I won’t have with them.
“Ultimately, I think if you find someone who brings you happiness and you make them happy, you have to go for that, definitely. That’s what we decided to do. I’m so happy we did because we have this wonderful family now.”
Elsewhere, Sheen revealed his first crush – Duran Duran’s John Taylor.
“I thought he was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen, man or woman. His hair was like a miracle. I used to try and make my hair like him.
“But what I didn’t realise was my hair was very curly and his was very straight, and that doesn’t really work.”
He also explained why he’d never do BBC’S Strictly Come Dancing.
“It’s an amazing show, isn’t it? It is fantastic. I would be such a terrible dancer on it, though. I’m not brave enough to go on.
“I’ll be honest I don’t like doing things that people watch me doing if I’m not very good at it. It makes me feel too vulnerable and insecure. I think that’s part of what is good about [Strictly] and what’s very brave about people who go on that show. It really takes a lot of guts.”
Kalpna Patel-knight, BBC’S head of entertainment commissioning said: “The BBC is delighted to introduce viewers to The Assembly. It’s a feel-good stand out entertainment show unlike anything viewers have seen before. Big thank you to Michael Sheen, for being game on to have a no-holds-barred interview with the superb interviewers who bring the show to life.”
■■The Assembly is available to watch on BBC iplayer.