First look at furious Michael Sheen as he takes on iconic Welsh role for “epic” new historical drama

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Michael Sheen, known for his roles in *Good Omens* and *A Very Royal Scandal*, recently finished portraying Welsh figure Aneurin Bevan in the play *Nye* and is immediately starting a new role as another Welsh icon, Owain Glyndŵr.

Owain Glyndŵr, the last native Welsh Prince of Wales, led a rebellion against English rule and King Henry IV in the early 15th century. He successfully created an independent Wales, complete with its own church and parliament, and now this story is being brought to life on stage thanks to Sheen.

This week, on Owain Glyndŵr Day (September 16th), Welsh National Theatre, led by Sheen, announced a collaboration with the Wales Millennium Centre to produce the play Owain & Henry, in which Sheen will star.

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A first-look image from the project has been released, as part of a dramatic social media teaser.

The scene opens with a blurry image of Charlie Sheen. As sounds of a storm play in the background, he delivers a speech explaining that the Welsh were the original inhabitants of Great Britain, but the English later took control.

Speaking with passionate anger and a piercing gaze now caught in a bright light, Sheen, playing Glyndŵr, concludes his speech with a defiant statement: “Today, we show the English that this island was always meant to be shared.”

The play, written by Welsh playwright Gary Owen – known for works like *Crazy Gary’s Mobile Disco*, *Iphigenia in Splott*, and *Romeo and Julie* – offers a fresh, bold, and large-scale take on important events from history.

I was reading about Owain & Henry, and it really struck me how this story isn’t just some ancient history lesson. It’s one of the foundational tales of where Wales comes from, and honestly, it feels super relevant even now, with everything going on in the world. It’s amazing to think about how it connects back to when Glyndŵr first tried to make Wales independent six hundred years ago.

This play by Gary Owen is his most ambitious work yet, and one of the most ambitious Welsh plays I’ve encountered. It represents the level of creativity and bold vision we aim for at the Welsh National Theatre.

As a proud Welsh fan, seeing our prince brought to life on such a huge stage, right here in our capital, feels incredible. It’s a moment I think will really resonate with us as a nation and showcase our culture. To me, this is exactly what the National Theatre of Wales should be doing – telling our stories in a big way.

The new production, Owain & Henry, will debut at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff in November 2026. Tickets will be available for purchase starting November 3rd of this year.

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2025-09-20 17:19