Michael Sheen believes acting background is a disadvantage on Celebrity Traitors
The Welsh actor, a self-proclaimed fan of the show, thinks his profession might make him a target.
Michael Sheen has stated that his background as an actor could be a disadvantage as he prepares to compete in the second series of Celebrity Traitors.
Sheen, 57, is one of 21 presenters, comedians, actors, and musicians set to participate in the BBC reality spin-off, which premieres on October 1. He expressed his desire to join the show due to being a "big fan" and his familiarity with the filming location in Scotland.
"Well, I do think it's a disadvantage to be an actor because people immediately go, 'oh well, he pretends for a living'," Sheen said. "I don't think that is the case, because the whole point of acting is that you have to trick yourself into believing that what you're doing is true. If you are consciously aware that you're pretending or you're saying things that aren't true, then it's bad acting. It's just bad. Just for me being an actor, I think that's a disadvantage because people are already suspicious of that.
"Beyond being an actor, just my persona, I don't really know what people think about me. So, I don't know if it'll help or not."
Sheen recently portrayed Prince Andrew in the 2024 Prime Video series "A Very Royal Scandal," a role based on the 2019 BBC Newsnight interview. His other acting credits include "Frost/Nixon" and "The Damned United."
He added that he knows the area where Traitors is filmed, describing it as "stunningly beautiful" and a "lovely place to be." Sheen believes the show's significant cultural impact stems from its ability to transcend its genre and touch on deeper themes.
The first series of Celebrity Traitors aired last autumn, with its finale drawing a peak of 15.4 million viewers and comedian Alan Carr emerging as the winner. The series averaged 14.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched television programme of 2025.
Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the show is set in a Scottish castle. Contestants, largely designated as "faithfuls," must identify the "traitors" who secretly eliminate players. The celebrities aim to use their skills to convince others they are faithful and win £100,000 for their chosen charities.
Joining Sheen in the 10-episode second celebrity series are comedians Joe Lycett and Romesh Ranganathan, actors Miranda Hart and Richard E. Grant, and singer James Blunt.
The most recent regular series of The Traitors, broadcast in January, garnered over 12 million viewers per episode.
Celebrity Traitors returns to BBC One and iPlayer on October 1.