Michael Sheen teases "extraordinary" new BBC special The Assembly
Michael Sheen has explained that his upcoming BBC special The Assembly is "extraordinary."
The show, based on the format of France's Les Rencontres du Papotin, sees Sheen interviewed by a group 35 people who are neurodivergent, autistic, or have learning disabilities. The official synopsis says that "no subject is out of bounds, no question is off the table."
"I said yes to being a part of The Assembly because it was just such an extraordinary and interesting idea," Sheen said.
"Then reading about the original French series, it just sounded so extraordinary, different and potentially a very revealing way to approach the tried and tested interview process, but obviously it is a lot more than just being an interview.
"The interview part of it is just one aspect of the project and I think there is still a lot of confusion, ignorance and fear around people with any kind of difference. I think being able to be involved in a project like this could maybe break down some of those barriers."
He called the "unfiltered" nature of the show both "exciting and quite nerve-wracking", comparing it to how on The One Show stars can go from speaking about their latest project to their favourite bus route or their opinions on otters.
"I imagine it will be very funny and I think quite moving," Sheen concluded. "I was quite moved at times by seeing how much people had to struggle to overcome certain things they were dealing with in order to ask questions at times.
"That was uplifting. I think it will be different, it will be thought provoking I hope, and challenging in certain ways; challenging certain kinds of myths and stereotypes."
The original French version had featured multiple actors being interviewed, as well as astronaut Thomas Pesquet and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Assembly airs Friday, April 5 at 10.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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