As a seasoned gamer who’s seen his fair share of royal dramas in both real life and virtual worlds, I can confidently say that the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series “A Very Royal Scandal” has piqued my interest in an intriguing way. Michael Sheen stepping into the shoes of Prince Andrew, a character shrouded in mystery and controversy, is a challenge any actor would relish.
Michael Sheen admits taking on the role of Prince Andrew in the Amazon Prime Video series, “A Very Royal Scandal”, was quite challenging, as this drama portrays the well-known BBC interview regarding his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Actress Sheen, known for her roles in shows like “Good Omens,” “Twilight,” and “Masters of Sex,” joins forces with Ruth Wilson (of “The Affair” and “Luther”) on a new project. They portray British journalist Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew respectively, following their meeting for an hour that took place in 2019. This encounter has largely been seen as a significant blemish on the monarchy’s already tarnished reputation. The Duke of York faced intense scrutiny regarding allegations he had sexual encounters with Virginia Giuffre (then Roberts) at Epstein’s residence when she was only 17, in the early 2000s.
The Welsh actor admits to finding it intimidating, especially, to depict a real-life individual. However, representing a member of the royal family becomes significantly more challenging because research often requires a considerable amount of speculation and trusting information from former security personnel.
Acting as Prince Andrew poses a unique set of difficulties compared to many other roles I’ve taken on. It’s like navigating through a maze of reflections with him. The royal family maintains such tight control over information, so you have highly staged images, interviews, and public appearances on one side, but also whispers, speculation, and hearsay on the other. What makes it tricky is figuring out whose intentions are behind these stories.
Sheen clarifies that playing a character like Andrew presents unique challenges since his true nature, including what he has and hasn’t done, remains enshrouded in secrecy.
As a gamer, I might put it this way: “Sure, I’ve got my own thoughts and feelings about what happened in the game, but when it comes down to the technical details, I’m just as clueless as everyone else. Since I don’t have all the facts, I had to make some decisions for the scenes. However, I’m keeping those choices a secret because they don’t impact the actual truth of the situation, and revealing them could potentially sway viewers’ perceptions. I prefer to keep things mysterious and let each person interpret my actions as they see fit.
However, the actor intentionally avoided imitating the Duke’s persona for as long as feasible, preferring a more immersive viewing experience. “The aim is for the audience to focus on the character’s journey rather than being distracted by surface-level details like mannerisms and physical or vocal characteristics,” he explained.
As someone who’s been in the limelight for quite some time, I find myself stepping into roles where the audience already seems acquainted. This can be challenging since they often carry certain expectations about my appearance, voice, and persona. So, it’s daunting because I know I’ll be measured against these preconceived notions, which could lead to judgments.
Back in 2019, Sheen personally watched an interview that’s been playing repeatedly for him since – an interview before the Duke resolved his court case with Giuffre, over an undisclosed amount. “Now it’s tough for me to recall my initial thoughts and feelings,” he admits, “as I’ve seen it so many times (hundreds, in fact). However, I do remember not immediately having a strong opinion. Instead, I shared the same reaction as everyone else: ‘That’s strange! How on earth did that even occur?’
55 years old now, four years younger than the Duke, Sheen has spent his life observing the royal family of the Duke’s generation. “During my ’80s childhood,” the actor explains, “he was a regular subject in tabloids. ‘Randy Andy,’ as they called him, and his relationships were always in the spotlight. He was a ruggedly handsome war hero, the most sought-after bachelor in the scene. However, over time, that image has faded, leaving him one of the least known royals regarding romantic exploits. Yet, paradoxically, he remains one of the most recognizable due to his past reputation.
He took pleasure in engaging with a man who has experienced significant losses throughout his life, someone once highly admired and often considered as Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite child. “His popularity was such that thousands of women would shout and scream upon his return from the Falklands War, holding a rose in his mouth,” Sheen adds. “Witnessing a man grow older, gain weight, and lose much of what he once had while moving further away from the center of power, struggling with financial issues despite being perceived as having it all, and feeling overlooked for a man of great privilege – that contrast is priceless for an actor, and captivating indeed.
“I mean, he clearly is a character and that was part of the treasure hunt for me,” he adds.
The original series titled “A Very Royal Scandal” will make its debut only on Amazon Prime Video in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand starting from September 19th.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-09-10 02:26