Michael Sheen of David Frost in 2008's "Frost/Nixon", a film dramatisation of The Nixon Interviews of 1977. Despite appearing in the original stage production in a part written for him by Peter Morgan, Sheen was surprised to have been cast in the film: "Peter said he'd only be prepared to give the rights to someone who would cast me as Frost, which was very nice, but when the studios get their hands on something... Right up until we started filming I was prepared to be disappointed". Roger Ebert of the "Chicago Sun-Times" asserted that Sheen embodied his character in a "compelling, intense"
Michael Sheen farce "Charley's Aunt" at the Royal Exchange. In 1995, he appeared opposite Kate Beckinsale in a production of "The Seagull" at the Theatre Royal, Bath and, with the encouragement of Thelma Holt, directed and starred in "The Dresser" at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. In addition, Sheen made his film debut that year, appearing opposite Kenneth Branagh in "Othello". 1996 saw Sheen at the National Theatre for "The Ends of the Earth", an original play by David Lan. A minor role in "Mary Reilly" marked the first of three film collaborations with director Stephen Frears. Sheen's most significant appearance of 1997