Michael Sheen has been praised for ‘wholeheartedly’ embracing the ‘interview of a lifetime’ for a group of neurodivergent people in new BBC show The Assembly.
The special followed the actor, 55, as he was questioned by a group of autistic and neurodivergent people in collaboration with Autism Awareness Week.
Viewers said they ‘cried’ during the program as they watched the powerful interactions, with Michael being moved to tears by a performance of Here Comes The Sun.
The Welsh actor held his own throughout the special and managed to answer a range of questions ranging from his love life to the royal family.
Viewers wasted no time in sharing their excitement and demanding more episodes of the program on social media.
Michael Sheen has been praised for ‘wholeheartedly’ embracing the ‘interview of a lifetime’ for a group of neurodivergent people in new BBC show The Assembly.
The special actor, 55, was quizzed by a group of autistic and neurodivergent people in conjunction with Autism Awareness Week – and they didn’t hold back
One fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “The Assembly was amazing. I really hope the BBC makes more!’
Others said: ‘#TheAssembly cried my way through this beautiful half hour program showing the diversity of the roots with all its surprises. Michael Sheen jumped in, despite any visible fleeting trepidation, and then embraced it all wholeheartedly.
‘#TheAssembly with #autistic and #learningdisabled people asking questions to Michael Sheen is the most beautiful program I have seen in a long time. My tribe is so incredibly funny, talented and incredibly honest, and @michaelsheen was just absolutely beautiful. I wish everyone would watch it.”
‘The Assembly on BBC One is one of the best programs I’ve seen in a long time. All of humanity in focus. Fantastic.’
One couple was thrilled that Michael Sheen was so calm and collected throughout the episode, with his charismatic charm.
“I don’t know much about interviewers’ disabilities, but wow, and Michael Sheen is nice.”
Others begged for more specials ‘please do a series’, ‘please do more’ and Anther suggested getting some politicians involved.
They said: ‘Real, sincere, unique and fun piece of television. Brilliantly Reithian. I would like to see some politicians and top executives meet this audience.”
Viewers said they ‘cried’ during the program as they watched the powerful interactions, with Michael being moved to tears by a performance of Here Comes The Sun
They said: ‘Real, sincere, unique and fun piece of television. Brilliantly Reithian. I would like to see some politicians and top executives meet this audience.”
The Welsh actor held his own throughout the special and managed to answer a range of questions ranging from his love life to the royal family.
During the interview, the Welsh actor gave a rare insight into his relationship with Anna Lundberg, who is just five years older than one of his children (pictured in 2019).
One asked: ‘How does it feel to date someone who is only five years older than your daughter?’, referring to his daughter Lily, 24, who he had with ex Kate Beckinsale
A young woman asked the Good Omens star: ‘How does it feel to date someone who is only five years older than your daughter?’, referring to his daughter Lily, 24, who he had during his relationship with ex Kate Beckinsale .
Michael has been in a relationship with Swedish actress Anna, 30, with whom he appeared in Staged, since 2019, and the couple have two children together.
He replied, “I think because of the age difference, we were both quite surprised when we got together.
“I don’t think either of us were looking for that.” It’s not like I date a lot of people who are much younger than me, but you meet who you meet. “We were very aware of the differences that might cause and how they might respond,” he added.
“It’s not like it was the easiest thing to do. We both knew it would be difficult and challenging. In the end, we felt it was worth it because of our feelings for each other.
‘Now we have two beautiful children together. I am very happy because of the age difference. I know I’m an older dad. It worries me. It makes me sad to think about the time I won’t have with them.
“But I think if you find someone who brings you happiness and you make him or her happy. That’s what you have to go for, I think, and I’m so glad we did as we have a wonderful family now.”
The Welsh actor dated Kate, 50, met in 1995 during a touring production of The Seagull and four years later in 1999, the actress gave birth to their daughter Lily.
They broke up after seven years together, but remained good friends.
After finding love with Anna in 2019, he welcomed daughter Lyra, three, and their second child, a girl, in May 2022.