Michael Sheen is reportedly set to join the next series of Celebrity Traitors, marking one of the biggest signings yet for the BBC show.
The 57-year-old actor, who recently earned a Bafta nomination for his portrayal of Prince Andrew in Amazon’s A Very Royal Scandal, is understood to have agreed terms and is expected to begin filming later this year.
A source told The Sun: “Michael has had a lot of practice playing lying, duplicitous and scheming men — the Traitors should be a breeze.
“He is very much seen as a ‘big dog’ signing. Behind the scenes, everyone is hugely excited. Michael is a massive fan of the show so it makes total sense that he would want to be a part of it.
“This year’s show has some incredible names, a real blend of characters, and promises to be incredible.”
The Standard has contacted BBC and Michael Sheen’s rep for comment.
Sheen is no stranger to portraying complex real-life figures, having played Tony Blair in multiple films written by Peter Morgan, as well as roles including Emperor Nero in the BBC’s Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire. He is also the current host of BBC One’s Richard Osman’s House of Games.
A long-time admirer of The Traitors, Sheen previously received a personalised birthday message from contestant Diane Carson following the show’s first series.
Away from acting, Sheen recently became the host of House of Games.
BBC announced earlier this month that Osman would step down from presenting duties after nearly a decade on the programme, which launched in 2017 and has become a staple of the early-evening schedule.
Created by Osman, the show sees four celebrity contestants compete across a week of quiz rounds and puzzles before an overall winner is crowned at the end of the week.
Osman has since shared a message of support for his successor on Instagram. The next series will be filmed later this year.
“Beyond thrilled to be handing the #HouseOfGames keys over to the one and only Michael Sheen,” he wrote alongside a photo of Sheen. “I promise to put the hoover round before he arrives. Best of luck Michael – you’re such a great choice, and I know you, and the viewers, will have an amazing time.”
For his part, Sheen said he was “incredibly excited” to be joining the programme and acknowledged he has “very large shoes to fill”.
“As a huge fan of the show I’m incredibly excited to be able to move into the House,” he said in a statement.
The programme, which typically airs in week-long runs on BBC Two, has become a favourite with viewers thanks to its mix of trivia, wordplay and lateral thinking challenges.
