BEVERLY HILLS –Even though Michael Sheen is playing real-life fertility expert Dr. William H. Masters on Showtime‘s “Masters of Sex,” the 44-year-old British born actor doesn’t consider the series — or his character — a historical portrayal.
“I don’t look like him, I don’t sound like him, he’s just another character,” Sheen told the Journal. Sheen, who has also played the likes of Tony Blair (in 2006′s “The Queen”)and David Frost (in Ron Howard’s 2008 “Frost/Nixon”) said he approached the character of Masters from series creator Michelle Ashford’s script first, than from the book on which the show was based.
“Yes, he was a real person, but this show isn’t a biopic,” he added.
The program is a dramatized take on Masters and his collaborator and, for a time, spouse, Virginia E. Johnson (played by Lizzie Caplan). Beginning in the 1950s and over the course of several decades, Masters and Johnson pioneered scientific studies on love and intimacy.
“Masters of Sex” is reaching about 5.4 million viewers with a full week of airings including repeats on the network as well as delayed DVR viewing and video on demand, Showtime reported. The season one finale airs tonight and Speakeasy talked with Sheen. Read More »