Brief
Michael Sheen says his acting background puts him at a disadvantage on Celebrity Traitors
Sheen argues that fellow contestants may distrust him because he pretends for a living, ahead of the series' October launch.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Actor Michael Sheen told the Independent that his career as an actor puts him at a "disadvantage" in the upcoming BBC reality series Celebrity Traitors, which begins on 1 October 2026.
Sheen, known for roles such as Tony Blair in The Queen and appearances in Good Omens, said players are likely to be "already suspicious" of him because he "pretends for a living". He added that if a participant is constantly aware of pretending, it becomes "bad acting" and harms their game.
The show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, will feature 21 celebrities—including comedian Miranda Hart, presenter Amol Rajan, singer James Blunt and model Jerry Hall—competing for a £100,000 charity prize. Other actors in the line‑up include Bella Ramsey, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Ross Kemp and Sebastian Croft. Fellow contestant Richard E. Grant echoed the concern, noting that actors may be seen as "natural‑born liars".
Key facts
- Michael Sheen says his acting background is a disadvantage on Celebrity Traitors (independent.co.uk)
- Celebrity Traitors Series 2 premieres on BBC One on 1 October 2026 (independent.co.uk)
- The prize for the competition is £100,000 for charity (independent.co.uk)
- Claudia Winkleman hosts the series (independent.co.uk)
- The cast includes actors, comedians, a presenter and a model (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Michael Sheen reveals ‘disadvantage’ he faced filming Celebrity Traitors”
