Back in December 2016, Michael Sheen seemingly announced his “retirement” from acting. He had been living in LA and working consistently on a variety of high-quality film and TV projects, and he announced that he was moving back to the UK and he would be focusing on political work in the wake of Brexit. His announcement seemed sudden, especially to his girlfriend at the time, Sarah Silverman. Still, Sarah and Michael stayed together for another year, and then they broke up around Christmas 2017. Now Sheen is explaining why all of this went down the way it did: it was because of Brexit. Brexit destroyed his relationship.
Michael Sheen has revealed his relationship with Sarah Silverman indirectly ended because of Brexit and Donald Trump’s presidency. The Welsh actor, 49, and American comedian, 47, who had been living together in the States, parted ways in December 2017 after four years together. The Masters Of Sex star explained that they split because of long distance – as he went back to the UK to explore why Brits voted in favour of Brexit, while Sarah chose to tour the US to interview people in the wake of Trump becoming president.
Sheen said that he and Sarah felt in ‘different ways’ that they wanted to ‘get more involved’ in the political climate after Brexit and Trump’s election.
‘That led to her doing her show I Love You America [in which Silverman interviewed people from across the political spectrum], and it led to me wanting to address the issues that I thought led some people to vote the way they did about Brexit, in the area I come from and others like it,’ he told The Telegraph. He revealed that it was ‘difficult’ to return to the UK, but he felt sure that the split was the right thing for both of them.
‘I felt a responsibility to do something, but it did mean coming back here – which was difficult for us, because we were very important to each other. But we both acknowledge that each of us had to do what we needed to do,’ he said.
Shady or not? I think it’s a combination of shady douche-man crap and legitimate political feelings. Like, Michael Sheen has always had a problem with commitment. He ends up in serious relationships with all kinds of beautiful, accomplished, interesting women. And then he dumps them because he doesn’t want the long-term commitment. So, on that side, the “I broke up with her because of Brexit” thing is a feint. On the other side, a lot of people were just thrown for a loop because of Brexit and Trump’s election. It fundamentally shifted a lot of people’s belief in humanity and their neighbors and their families. So I sort of understand where he’s coming from… slightly.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Didn’t he mentioned that his plan was to move back to the UK once his daughter was in college. I know Brexit happened during that time frame but, yeah, he was never gonna be in the US permanently.
I know lots of immigrants who are leaving the US right now. It’s a horrorshow
I mean, she could have moved to the UK with him. It doesn’t seem like either of them were willing to sacrifice to stay together.
Or he could stay to be w/her. Why do you say this?
It’s not as easy for Americans to move to the UK as you might think. I used to work for a company based in the UK and just moving there temporarily to work in the UK office was a nightmare.
Neither one of these two are going to solve trump OR brexit, but okay.
Yes, no one should care unless they can solve problems entirely. 🙄
Also, who mentioned anything about solving Trump or Brexit?
Having known many people in trans-continental marriages, my advice has always been to never marry someone from abroad unless you are willing to move to that country because most people eventually want to move home.
In this case, neither of them made that commitment to marry each other. It’s not shady to end a relationship because you have other priorities. Sara seems equally committed to freedom and independence and I doubt she views herself as somehow wronged.
I’ve seen her mention it in interviews and such — it seems totally healthy and normal. You can’t be partners when you can’t reconcile the other parts of your lives to each other. That’s not bad and it doesn’t negate it being a good relationship while it lasted.
Also, assuming that the end goal of relationships is together-for-ever is a super narrow way of looking at it. Loving someone for 4 years is a different but also wonderful good outcome.
This isn’t entirely fair. Michael’s being doing a lot of good work since he moved back. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/mar/20/michael-sheen-launches-campaign-against-high-cost-lenders I get the sense that he genuinely cares and wants to make a positive difference.
There is nothing shady or douchey about this. Michael Sheen does not owe any women life long commitment regardless of how accomplished, beautiful or interesting they are.
I would have dumped Sarah so long ago. She is insufferable. I don’t find her that funny, either.
I thought Kate’s affair with Len Wiseman kind of forced Michael’s hand in the end of that relationship, or am I hopelessly out of the loop?
I was SO SCARED he was about to ruin the Good Omens tv show before it even came out. Big sigh of relief.
I really like both of these people. I think the break-up excuse because of Brexit/Dear Leader Cheeto is BS. You love the woman/man or you don’t. You want to commit or you don’t. Just be honest about it. Don’t make excuses and try to make it seem like it all ended for a greater cause .. you just sound douchey.
This sounds to me like the relationship ran its course and they grew in different directions. Nothing wrong with that, better to acknowledge it and move on than be unhappy.