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Michael Sheen Believes There’s Still ‘A Mystery’ Around Prince Andrew’s 2019 Scandal
Michael Sheen believes there remains “a mystery at the heart of the drama” while portraying Prince Andrew in Prime Video’s production, A Very Royal Scandal. This three-part series delves into Andrew’s controversial 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, where he discussed his associations with the notorious Jeffrey Epstein.
In an exclusive interview, Sheen, who is 55, expressed, “We don’t know what he did or didn’t do beyond a certain point.” He noted that while certain events are documented, the specifics can often be disputed. “We know up to a certain point, he was at this place at this time… But beyond that, it’s unknowable,” he added.
Sheen takes on the role of Prince Andrew alongside Ruth Wilson, who portrays British journalist Emily Maitlis. The series captures the events surrounding Andrew’s infamous interview, which took place in November 2019, and explores the fallout that followed.
During the interview, Prince Andrew denied any connection with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault related to his ties with convicted sex offender Epstein. Giuffre later filed a lawsuit against Andrew, which ultimately resulted in an out-of-court settlement.
Facing the challenge of portraying such a complex figure, Sheen acknowledged the intricacies of representing a royal family member. “I have to be specific about what I’m doing and how I’m playing this person. But that was a big challenge,” he stated. He described the endeavor as akin to navigating a hall of mirrors, citing the sheer amount of speculation, gossip, and ambiguity surrounding royal figures.
Both Sheen and Wilson dedicated themselves to studying Andrew’s BBC interview in significant detail. Sheen revealed, “We watched it hundreds upon hundreds of times after taking on our roles.” He discussed his approach to understanding real-life figures, noting that recording the audio of interviews helps him focus without the distractions of the video aspect.
“There is both watching the interview and then listening to it,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of fully grasping the nuances of Andrew’s mannerisms and expressions. This meticulous preparation showcases the commitment both actors made to their roles.
The entire series of A Very Royal Scandal will be available for viewing starting Thursday, September 19. As the premiere date approaches, anticipation grows around how this dramatization will portray one of the more controversial figures within the British royal family.
Source: Us Weekly
