Michael Sheen faces a grilling in first look at groundbreaking The Assembly
No question is out of bounds.
Actor Michael Sheen is set to get the grilling of a lifetime in BBC's The Assembly – and we finally have a first look at some of the awkward and confronting questions that will be coming his way in the new one-off special.
The half-hour special will be airing this Friday (5th April) to celebrate Autism Acceptance Week and will see Sheen in the hot seat as he's questioned by thirty-five interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent or learning disabled.
The teaser clip of the episode certainly opens with quite the question as an interviewer stands to ask Sheen: "How does it feel to be dating someone who's only five years older than your daughter?"
The question warrants some noise from the audience as the camera pans to Sheen, who looks a tad awkward.
Some of the questions are little more light-hearted, with Sheen being asked about his height, whether he's scared of birds and about his thoughts on Tom Jones. But of course, with no questions off the table, Sheen is quizzed about his thoughts on the British royal family, what makes him cry and more.
It even gets to the point that Sheen asks whether he's "allowed to talk about this" – but what could he be referring to?
Watch the clip for yourself below.
The new one-off episode is based on the popular French show Les rencontres du Papotin, which saw the likes of French president Emmanuel Macron and Call My Agent actor Camille Cottin face the line of questioning.
Known for his roles in shows like Good Omens, The Twilight Saga: New Moon and Masters of Sex, Sheen previously said that he thinks this episode is "extraordinary", so we're in for quite the ride!
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Talking about what made him say yes to being a part of The Assembly, Sheen said: "Because it was just such an extraordinary and interesting idea.
"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."
He added: "I think being able to be involved in a project like this could maybe break down some of those barriers."
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As per the synopsis for The Assembly: "In this half-hour special, it's multi-award-winning actor and director Michael Sheen who is to face the grilling of a lifetime from the unique collective.
"No subject is out of bounds, no question is off the table. On subjects as diverse as ex-girlfriends and on-screen kisses, to the OBE he gave back or his favourite motorway, how will the Good Omens star fare as The Assembly bring their unique approach to the celebrity interview?"
The Assembly has come from Michelle Singer and Stu Richards's Rockerdale Studios, who have worked closely with the BBC’s Creative Diversity Team to ensure each element of The Assembly works for and with autistic and neurodivergent voices.
The Assembly airs Friday 5th April at 10:40pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our full TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our Entertainment hub for the latest news.
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Authors
Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.
