Michael Sheen defends feedback he finds it ‘arduous to simply accept’ non-Welsh actors in Welsh roles

Actor Michael Sheen has defended his feedback suggesting Welsh characters ought to be performed by Welsh actors.

Sheen, who was born in Newport, South Wales, has starred in a raft of assorted roles all through his profession.

The 54-year-old has beforehand performed Edinburgh-born former prime minister Tony Blair, in addition to English broadcasters David Frost and Chris Tarrant.

Sheen informed the Telegraph “it’s very hard” to simply accept people who find themselves not Welsh enjoying Welsh characters.

“Seeing people playing Welsh characters who are not Welsh, I find, it’s very hard for me to accept that,” he stated.

“Not particularly on a point of principle, but just knowing that that’s not the case.”

Sheen stated he had confronted his ideas on which roles he feels actors can play after engaged on his new drama, Best Interests, the place he portrays the dad or mum of a kid with cerebral palsy.

He stated: “That’s a very different end of the spectrum, but a part like Richard III is such a great character to play, it would be sad to think that that character 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 totally settle for that I’m not going to be enjoying Othello any time quickly.

“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.

“If you have not skilled one thing, the acute instance is, effectively, if you have not murdered somebody, are you able to play a assassin?”

The actor has set up his own production company, Red Seam, with Sherlock producer Bethan Jones with the aim of telling more Welsh stories.

“You can shout about how unhealthy it’s, however if you wish to see one thing be completely different then do it, you already know?” he said.

He has since defended his comments, saying they were “not the tip of the world”.

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“A comment about having heard a lot of dodgy Welsh accents from non Welsh actors is not the end of the world,” Sheen Tweeted.

“It’s not about principle it’s about being convincing. And the money people not thinking Welsh actors can lead shows a lot of the time.”