Michael Sheen, 57, has spoken candidly about his relationship with Swedish actress Anna Lundberg, 31, revealing that both were initially surprised by their 25-year age difference. The couple, who have been together since 2019 and share two daughters, Lyra, 6, and Mabli, 4, live in Port Talbot, Wales.
Sheen addresses age gap question
During an appearance on The Assembly, a show where a panel of autistic, neurodivergent, or learning-disabled interviewers ask guests questions, Sheen was asked: 'How does it feel to be dating someone who is only five years older than your daughter?' The actor, who has a 27-year-old daughter, Lily, from a previous relationship, responded openly about the realities of his partnership with Lundberg.
'Because of the age difference, I think both of us were quite surprised when we got together,' Sheen said. 'I don't think either of us were looking for that. It's not like I've dated lots of people who are much younger than me, but you meet who you meet. We were very aware of what differences that would make and also how people might respond to that.'
He continued: 'It's not like it was the easiest thing to do. We were both aware it would be difficult and challenging. Ultimately, we felt it was worth it because of how we felt about each other. Now we have two beautiful children together.'
Concerns as an older father
Sheen also opened up about the difficulties of being an older father, saying: 'Because of the age difference, I'm aware that I'm a much older father. It does worry me, it makes me concerned. It makes me sad thinking about the time I won't have with them.' He added: 'But ultimately, I think if you find someone who brings you happiness and you make them happy, you've got to go for that. So that's what we decided to do and I'm so happy we did as we have this wonderful family now.'
Sheen's latest project, Buried on the BBC, sees him investigating claims of toxic 'forever chemical' contamination in the waters of South Wales, a subject close to his home. He also stars in series 2 of Celebrity Traitors and is set to host House of Games.
Previous relationships
Sheen shares his eldest daughter, Lily, with English actress Kate Beckinsale, 53, whom he was with from 1995 until 2003. The couple split not long after moving to Los Angeles, with Sheen describing the experience as 'messy and always complicated.' He said on Abi MacManus' podcast in 2020: 'Going through that experience of a relationship breaking down and having a young child, and then because of my daughter and her mum living in another country, having to make a life in a new place whilst going through that whole experience, which is difficult enough, that was really tough.'
Despite the split, Beckinsale and Sheen have remained close, co-parenting Lily and often appearing together on social media. Beckinsale told E Magazine in 2016: 'It's so normal for us. We split up ages ago. We have not been together for far longer than we were ever together. But I really love him and like him and we make each other roar with laughter.'
Sheen has also had relationships with English ballet dancer Lorraine Stewart from 2004 to 2010, The Notebook star Rachel McAdams, 47, from 2010 to 2013, and American comedian Sarah Silverman, 55, from 2014 to 2018.
