I really don’t feel that we, as a society, are properly appreciating Michael Sheen.
The classically-trained Welsh actor of stage and screen may not be a traditionally handsome heartthrob. He isn’t 6 foot, 3 inches with washboard abs, or blonde and blue-eyed and named Chris (like the rest of Hollywood, or so it seems these days).
But what the man is is a chameleon, “an absolutely majestic shape-shifter,” as my friend Becky puts it. A master of accents, he’s equally convincing as a Brit, a Yank, a twittering fop, or a threat. In the same year (2009), he played a buff werewolf, journalist David Frost and an effeminate vampire. Take a moment to Google some images or clips from those performances and marvel at the fact those characters are played by. The. Same. Man. And all in the span of a handful of months.
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(I must say that knowing he had that werewolf physique under those tailored suits in “Frost/Nixon” makes that movie far more enjoyable.)
He’s a small guy who can completely dominate a room/the stage/a scene. The man just oozes charisma, and he brings his “A” game to every single role, regardless of whether it’s a piece of high drama or campy popcorn fare. “You put that glorious talent and life into that body and it’s just OOF,” says my pal Sherry.
Sheen’s been nominated for Emmys, SAG Awards, BAFTAs and just about every theatre award there is, and he’s even refused an OBE, citing his conscience over the historically poor treatment of Wales by the British government. Talk about a man of principle.
If Sheen is in something, it’s a guarantee he’ll be entertaining, no matter how small the role is; even if the rest of the production is a bust, his scenes will still be worth watching.
So to celebrate the commencement of filming for “Good Omens” season two, I’m pleased to present a list of just some of Sheen’s most memorable characters, beginning with:
8. The Genius Serial Killer (Dr. Martin Whitly, “Prodigal Son” series)
“Prodigal Son” asks the question, “What would Hannibal Lecter be like if he was a father with the curls of a cherub?” And the answer is a gleeful Sheen, who somehow manages to look warm and paternal in chunky cardigans despite being chained in a cell and, oh yeah, having killed 23 people.
For two seasons, Sheen clearly has a blast playing a maniacal madman intent on goading his investigator son to follow in his killer footsteps. And it’s a treat to watch him shift from calm and eloquent to intensely crazy-eyed, sometimes in the same scene.
7. The Evil Computer Program (Castor/Zuse, “TRON: Legacy”)
When Kevin Flynn’s son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) is transported into the computer world his father helped create, he finds himself facing Clu, a malevolent digital duplicate of his father (Jeff Bridges).
In his quest to escape, Sam ends up at the End of Line Club, run by the traitorous program Zuse, who’s equal parts David Bowie and Dr. Frank-N-Furter, as Sheen himself describes him. Twirling a glowing cane, in pristine white from his shellacked mullet to his boots, Sheen shrieks and dances across the bar as Clu’s henchmen march in. It’s an unhinged, startling performance, especially considering so many of the other digital characters behave robotically.
6. The Arrogant Sexuality Researcher (Dr. Williams Masters, “Masters of Sex” series)
Sheen so often shines as wild, larger-than-life, supernatural figures, I sometimes forget how compelling he can be playing a normal man. And his work over the four seasons of “Masters of Sex” is some of his greatest to date.
Dr. Masters is not a likable guy. He’s selfish, repressed and demanding, and frequently prone to fits of rage. He’s rough, even brutal, with the people in his life, especially the women. Yet Sheen’s natural charisma, and the complexity he brings to the part, somehow makes us still care about the jerk.
Plus, “Masters” put Sheen’s ability to create scorching chemistry with anyone to good use. The man has an undeniable presence whenever the script calls for sensuality or flirtation.
5. The Flamboyant Rock Star (Thorne Jamison, “Laws of Attraction”)
“Laws of Attraction” is a goofy rom-com about a pair of bickering divorce lawyers played by Julianne Moore and Pierce Brosnan. But it’s the lawyers’ clients, Sheen (as a rowdy British rock star a la a young Mick Jagger) and Parker Posey (as his flighty designer wife), who steal every scene they’re in.
You have to love a man who isn’t afraid to look like a total fool, and Sheen really lets loose here as a theatrical rocker in eyeliner and chains.
4. The Foppish Vampire (Aro, the “Twilight Saga”)
Oh Lord, the “Twilight” films. There isn’t time enough to dwell on the entire tangled mess that is the “Twilight Saga”, but let’s just pause for a moment with Aro, one of the Very Very Evil Ancient Vampires that Bella, Edward and Co. have to contend with.
He’s got perfectly coiffed, definitely plastic doll’s hair. He giggles nefariously in frilly cravats and velvet capes. He does everything but kick his feet in glee whenever something Evil is afoot.
Aro is a complete freak, and should be just as completely laughable every moment he’s on screen. And while Sheen does turn the camp dial up until the knob buckles, there are still moments when he manages to be quite ominous and threatening. Anyone who can achieve that in that wig deserves a major award.
3. The Prime Minister (Tony Blair; “The Deal”, “The Queen” and “The Special Relationship”)
Sheen was so perfect for the role of the former British P.M. he’s played him no less than three times! One hopes Blair himself was flattered by the portrayals.
2. The Tragic Werewolf (Lucian, the “Underworld” franchise)
In this action-packed dark fantasy series, Sheen’s Lucian is not only a highlight, he’s also the reason the whole conflict between werewolves (aka Lycans) and vampires even began.
Lucian has plenty to be angsty about — first he’s born into brutal slavery, and then his vampiric (and pregnant) ladylove is executed before his very eyes. He manages to be both a hairy Romeo and a supernatural Spartacus as he leads his fellow werewolves to revolt against their bloodthirsty masters.
The “Underworld” movies are full of pretty, brooding men, but Sheen manages to out-hot them all. As my friend Rachel puts it: “Once the audience got that look of Sheen when the elevator doors opened [in the first film], it was over.” His arms have certainly never looked better, and every time I watch “Rise of the Lycans,” I want to send a fruit basket to the costumers who put him in so much leather.
1. The Prissy Angel (Aziraphale, “Good Omens”)
Aziraphale is the polar opposite of Lucian. Fussy, white-haired and plump, he’s exceedingly fastidious about his nice clothes. They panic at the thought of doing anything that’s the least bit improper. And though he’s an angel, a being you would expect to see adhering to an ascetic lifestyle, he takes a great deal of pleasure in fine food, expensive wine and the many comforts of life on Earth.
Which is why — to prevent Armageddon and preserve the life they enjoy so much — they team up with the demon Crowley who, thanks to existing on Earth alongside them since Adam and Eve left the Garden, has become their closest friend/something more than a friend. Even though such an alliance will definitely not go over well with his superiors Upstairs …
You may have noticed I use both he and they pronouns to describe Aziraphale; that’s because creators Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman considered angels (and demons) as beings beyond the human gender binary. Aziraphale may present as a male, but they’re not.
His role as Aziraphale is only the latest that has netted him a vocal fanbase in the LGBTQ community.
When you look over the entirety of Michael Sheen’s career — which also includes turns as Hamlet, Nero, an evil medieval lord and the White Rabbit — it’s pretty clear there’s nothing the man can’t do.
While other actors limit themselves to one archetype, or are unable to be anything but themselves regardless of the project (I love Keanu Reeves, but every time he appears on screen, I can’t help but go, “That’s Keanu Reeves.”), Sheen so fully becomes his characters it’s easy to forget he’s an actor playing a part. Far more people should be appreciating this majestic shape-shifter.
• ANGIE BARRY is a contributing columnist for Shaw Media. To suggest future topics for The B-List, which covers topics in pop culture, history and literature, contact her at newsroom@mywebtimes.com.