Masters of Sex: Cast and character bios

18 September 2013

Dr. William Masters

Already a leader in his field of obstetrics and gynaecology, Dr. William Masters is intent on exploring the nature of human sexuality and how the body responds during sexual stimulation. Dr. William Masters is himself quite sexually repressed despite his unabashed pursuit of his study of sex - a subject that many, especially his mentor and the head of the hospital, regard as lewd and inappropriate. Although Dr. William Masters helps women conceive for a living, his own wife is struggling to get pregnant, and he struggles with guilt and shame that he is the source of the problem. He may be a brilliant scientist, but his bedside manner leaves much to be desired, both in and out of the office.

 

Michael Sheen

Michael Sheen has proved himself equally accomplished on both stage and screen.  His many award-winning stage performances include Caligula and Frost/Nixon at the Donmar, and Hamlet at the Young Vic.  He created, co-directed and performed in the groundbreaking three-day live event The Passion in Port Talbot for National Theatre Wales.

Mr. Sheen has starred in three films nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award: The Queen, directed by Stephen Frears, Frost/Nixon, directed by Ron Howard, and Midnight in Paris, directed by Woody Allen.

He is known to millions as a vampire in The Twilight Saga films and a werewolf in the Underworld franchise.   His other feature credits include The Damned United, directed by Tom Hooper, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and Tron: Legacy, directed by Joseph Kosinski.

On British television, Mr. Sheen earned awards for his performances in both Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!, directed by Andy De Emmony, in which he played Mr. Williams, and Dirty Filthy Love, directed by Adrian Shergold.  On the NBC series 30 Rock, he created the memorable characterization of Liz Lemon’s (Tina Fey) boyfriend, Wesley Snipes.

He received an Emmy® Award nomination for his portrayal of Tony Blair in HBO’s The Special Relationship, directed by Richard Loncraine.  In 2009, Mr. Sheen was honoured by the Queen with an O.B.E. for his services to Drama.

He next stars in the new Showtime series, Masters of Sex, the premiere episode of which was directed by John Madden. Mr. Sheen is also a producer on the show.