Michael Sheen admits split from Kate Beckinsale made him question things about himself

Danny Thompson
·Contributor
Updated ·2 min read
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 15: Michael Sheen attends the SAG-AFTRA Foundation conversations: "Prodigal Son" at The Robin Williams Center on December 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Actor Michael Sheen has opened up about his separation from Kate Beckinsale, saying the issues raised by the split had him questioning ‘certain things about myself’.

The actors were together between 1995 and 2003 and share daughter Lily together.

But Sheen said the impact of travelling back and forth between the UK and the US to fit in work and seeing his child meant he keep ‘f****** up’ in interviews.

Speaking to Annie Macmanus on her podcast Changes, he said: “Going through that experience of a relationship breaking down and having a young child, and then because of my daughter and her mum living in another country, having to make a life in a new place whilst going through that whole experience, which is difficult enough.

Watch: Michael Sheen on his daughter’s first trip outside in months

“I had no work visa to stay in America, so every time I left, I had to go back to Britain.

“I never knew if I would be allowed to come back in again. So I ended up having to get work in Britain because I wasn’t really getting any work in America.

Read more: Michael Sheen says baby 'freaked out' on walk after months of lockdown

“It really made me question certain things about myself.”

Sheen, 51, said he also found the glare of the media spotlight a struggle, adding: “That was hard particularly, because when I did do interviews or things like that for whatever projects I was working on… I just kept f****** up, I’d say the wrong thing in the interview.

UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 19: Kate Beckinsale, Beautiful Actress Kate Beckinsale Just Back From America ,attended The Private Screening Of Her New Movie Serendipity At The Charlotte St Hotel In London,with Family And Friends,her Partner Michael Sheen And Her Mother Judy? (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen attend a private screening of her 2001 movie Serendipity at the Charlotte Street Hotel in London. (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

“It took me a long time to learn. If there’s the chance of you f****** up, just don’t talk about it. And of course, people are going to want to try and get you to talk about stuff because that’s how they make their career.”

Read more: Michael Sheen and David Tennant to reunite for BBC lockdown comedy

Despite splitting, the pair have remained close and Beckinsale has spoke previously of her love for Sheen.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 03: Actors Michael Sheen and Kate Beckinsale arrive at the premiere of Roadside Attractions' "Love And Friendship" at Directors Guild Of America on May 3, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)
Actors Michael Sheen and Kate Beckinsale arrive at the premiere of Roadside Attractions' "Love And Friendship", 2016. (Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)

She told the Evening Standard in 2016: “We split up ages ago. We have been not together far longer than we were ever together. But I really love him and like him and we make each other roar with laughter.”

Changes With Annie Macmanus is available weekly on all podcast providers.

Watch: Ask Anna - How do I move on with someone else after a nasty break-up?