Latest news with #MichaelSheen
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kate Beckinsale mourns mother Judy Loe, British actor who died at 78: 'Compass of my life'
Actor Kate Beckinsale is mourning the loss of her "dearest friend," her mother British actor Judy Loe. The "Underworld" star announced Thursday that her mother died Tuesday evening, writing in an emotional Instagram post that Loe died "in my arms after immeasurable suffering." Though Beckinsale in her post did not disclose a cause of death, she announced last year that her mother had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Loe was 78. Read more: Alan Bergman, Oscar-winning 'The Way We Were' and 'The Windmills of Your Mind' lyricist, dies at 99 The "Pearl Harbor" actor, 51, said she felt compelled to announce her mother's death because she had to register the "Space Island One" actor's death certificate. She shared a carousel of photos and videos of her mother from over the years, including snaps of Loe in her youth and with granddaughter Lily Mo Sheen, whom Beckinsale shares with ex Michael Sheen. "I am paralysed," Beckinsale wrote in her caption. "Jude was the compass of my life, the love of my life, my dearest friend." Loe, born March 6, 1947, in Manchester, enjoyed a versatile career that began in the 1970s and earned her dozens of credits, mostly on British TV series. She broke out on the ITV fantasy series "Ace of Wands" in 1970s and went on to appear in numerous other programs for the network including "The Chief," "Crown Court," "Let There Be Love" and "Goodnight and God Bless." Throughout her career — her most recent credit was a minor role in the TV miniseries "Fool Me Once" in 2024 — Loe took on a variety of roles ranging from a magician's assistant in "Ace of Wands" to a much sought-after divorcée in "Singles" to a spacecraft commander in "Space Island One." Read more: Kate Beckinsale mourns death of Roy Battersby, a British TV director and her stepdad Prior to taking on screen roles, Loe pursued a career on the stage, including repertory theater in northern England's Crewe, where in 1968 she met fellow actor Richard Beckinsale, whom she would marry in 1977. Though they split after two years of marriage, they welcomed daughter Kate in 1973. Richard Beckinsale died at age 31 from a heart attack. Loe remarried in 1997 to television director Roy Battersby, who died in January 2024 after a brief illness. He was 87. In her announcement, Kate Beckinsale praised her mother for her legacy, "huge heart" and courage in the final year of her life. Beckinsale continued: "She has been brave in so many ways, forgiving sometimes too much, believing in the ultimate good in people and the world is so dim without her that it is nearly impossible to bear." Loe is survived by six stepchildren in addition to her daughter, according to the Guardian. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Solve the daily Crossword
Evening Standard
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Hit TV show The Assembly to return for a second series
Last year, Welsh actor Michael Sheen appeared on the pilot which aired on the BBC, where he was asked questions including what it was like to date someone only five years older than his daughter and which two members of the royal family he would choose to swap out.
Wales Online
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC iPlayer adds iconic sports comedy film with beloved Welsh star completely for free
BBC iPlayer adds iconic sports comedy film with beloved Welsh star completely for free One of the most beloved sports films of the century is now available totally free on BBC iPlayer 'Mesmerising' sports comedy film currently streaming for free (Image: BBC ) BBC iPlayer has just added a critically acclaimed sports comedy film you won't want to miss out on this week. Football fans and cinephiles alike should definitely check out this compelling modern classic based on a uniquely British true story. It stars one of the UK's most beloved screen stars as a revered sporting figure from the 1970s during one of the most tumultuous periods of his career. Starring Michael Sheen as Brian Clough, The Damned United follows the former Derby County manager's notorious 44-day stint with Leeds United in 1974 as well as his rivalry with fellow manager Don Revie (played by Colm Meaney). Helmed by The King's Speech director Tom Hooper and written by The Crown showrunner Peter Morgan, this masterpiece of the sports genre is not to be missed by anyone looking to get lost in a gripping slice of British history. Michael Sheen portrays legendary football manager Brian Clough (Image: COLUMBIA PICTURES ) Article continues below The film received rave reviews upon its release in 2009 and currently holds a staggering 92 percent Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences lapped up the drama, too, awarding it an impressive 85 percent score. It's currently available to stream for free after being aired on BBC Two last night. One rave five-star review on Google reads: 'Right up there as one of the finest sports mini biography film. 'Based on the controversial and yet mesmerising & brilliant Brian Clough - the best football manager the english national team never had or ever could have had. 'The movie is about the making of a superb football manager starting from the dungeons of lower english football leagues to becoming champions of England.' Someone else gushed: 'Brilliant portrayal of Brian Clough and his bitter relationship with Don Revie and how his tenure at Leeds United was destined to fail [from] the start. The Damned United lays bare one of the most notorious rivalries in football history (Image: COLUMBIA PICTURES ) 'A film with the heartache and happiness of being a football manager but also a family man and his personality at its best and I have seen now on 8 occasions, football fans will love it.' Someone else added: 'I'm not even a soccer fan but this movie was brilliant, great cast and Michael Sheen at his best. Great story and great acting, loved it!' And a final fan declared: 'I'm enchanted. One the best movies I've ever watched. 'It's a must for every football lover and a beginner's course for those who wanted to be football managers.' Fans all agree The Damned United is an essential watch, so make sure you find time for this essential British film on your schedule this week. Article continues below The Damned United is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
BreakingNews.ie
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Michael Sheen says NHS has been ‘integral' to his life as he plays its founder
Michael Sheen said the NHS has been 'integral' to his life as he is set to star as its founder in the second run of a hit theatre show. The actor, 56, who plays Welsh Labour Party politician Aneurin 'Nye' Bevan in the show Nye, told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'Just in the last couple of years, I've had a child be born into the world through the NHS and my father, just weeks ago, left the world helped by the NHS as well. Advertisement 'So, it's been integral to my life in the last couple of years. And I know it pushes buttons for everybody when they come and see the play.' After a successful run last year, Sheen, a father-of-three, will reprise his role at the Olivier Theatre in London and later Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre. The Welsh actor described Bevan's life, from growing up in Tredegar, a mining town in South Wales, to becoming the minister for health in the post-war government as 'extraordinary'. Bevan had a stammer but became known for the strength of his speaking in the House of Commons. Advertisement 'He's a man who becomes known for being one of the great orators of his time,' Sheen told GMB. 'And yet, he grew up a young boy in Tredegar, worked on the mines, very young and had this stammer. 'I think one of the most powerful scenes in the play is where he goes to Tredegar working men's library and learns to expand his vocabulary so that when a word comes up that he knows he's going to stammer on, he chooses another word, which is what added to that kind of extraordinary oratorical manner that he had later when he was in the Houses of Parliament.' Bevan, described as the architect of the NHS, was the minister of health in Clement Attlee's government from 1945 to 1951. Advertisement In the play, as he is confronted with death, Bevan reflects on his life from humble beginnings, his bruising encounters with Winston Churchill and a final tenure as minister of labour and national service. Asked how he got into the role of Bevan, Sheen said: 'I put on a bit of weight, as you can see.' He added: 'It's a very physical performance; I'm barefoot all the way through it.' Sheen launched a theatre company called Welsh National Theatre earlier this year. Advertisement The organisation is envisioned as separate from but complementary to Theatr Cymru, which was established in 2003 as the Welsh language national company. National Theatre Wales closed its doors in its current form as a theatre company in December, after funding was withdrawn in 2023, which Sheen said was when he went into rehearsals for Nye. He said: 'We were looking at possibly our country not having its own national theatre. 'So, as a result of doing this play Nye and seeing how successful it was, how the audience really responded to it, particularly in Wales … but seeing that appetite was what kind of made me think, yeah, we can do this. Why not?' Advertisement Nye returns to the Olivier Theatre on Thursday.
Business News Wales
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Welsh National Theatre Sets Up Home in Swansea
The Welsh National Theatre has set up its first headquarters in Swansea. Founded by Michael Sheen earlier this year, the company's headquarters will be in the city's civic centre. Its first production, Our Town, debuts at Swansea Grand Theatre between 16 and 31 January 2026. The play, which later tours Wales before closing at co-production partner the Rose Theatre in Kingston-upon-Thames, is directed by Swansea-born Francesca Goodridge with Swansea native Russell T Davies as creative associate. Michael Sheen, artistic director of Welsh National Theatre, said: 'My theatrical journey began on the stage in Swansea as a member of the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre, so it feels fitting to come full circle to base Welsh National Theatre in the city. Swansea is a place of creativity, resilience and inspiration and I'm excited by the possibilities this presents not just for artists, but for the people of Wales. 'This isn't about just an office space, but a cultural hub which welcomes creatives in, and we're working on plans to make the space come alive with actors, directors, producers and writers before the work meets audiences. In just seven months, a Swansea audience will be the first anywhere in the world to see a Welsh National Theatre production live; the countdown is truly on.' Sharon Gilburd, founding chief executive of Welsh National Theatre, added: 'We see Swansea as an integral part of our future. There's genuine heartfelt passion and commitment from the Swansea Council team to work with us so we can all help to create a thriving and innovative cultural scene — both for today and for generations to come.' After taking to the stage in Swansea in Our Town, Sheen will play Owain Glyndŵr in Gary Owen's epic new play, Owain & Henry, in a Welsh National Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre co-production in November 2026. The decision by Welsh National Theatre to set up in the city has been welcomed by Council Leader Rob Stewart, who said: 'This is a proud moment for Swansea. Having Welsh National Theatre based here shows how far we've come as a creative city. The creation of Welsh National Theatre marks a bold step in raising the profile of Welsh storytelling on a global stage — and by choosing Swansea as its home, it strengthens the city's role as a hub for national and international creative talent. 'This brings real opportunities for those working across the performance sector — from actors to musicians, artists and writers to designers, producers and technicians — to be part of something world-class, creating new intellectual property, rooted in Swansea and rooted in Wales. Wales deserves an English language national theatre company — and we're thrilled that, through the vision of its artistic director Michael Sheen, Welsh National Theatre has chosen Swansea as its home. The impact of hosting world-class theatre in Swansea will be transformative. It has the potential to stimulate a new generation of local talent and inspire even more visitors to come to our city.' The announcement follows months of collaboration between Welsh National Theatre and Swansea Council to shape this partnership. Elliott King, the Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities, said the theatre's decision reflects years of investment and collaboration that has unveiled key initiatives, such as the Creative Swansea network for professionals and businesses in the creative and cultural industries, and Grand Ambition, which creates theatre with and for local communities. He said: 'From the Swansea Building Society Arena to grassroots music and performance spaces, the many creative people who help make our local culture so vibrant, innovative and diverse also ensure it's the best place for audiences to enjoy. Welsh National Theatre being based in Swansea will help attract even more attention to our creative industries and cultural sector. Working with schools, universities, digital trend-setters and businesses, our ambition for Swansea to make its mark on an international stage has never looked brighter.'
