### Michael Sheen Unites with Renowned TV Powerhouse Bad Wolf to Champion New Era for Welsh Theatre
In a significant move for the creative arts in Wales, celebrated actor Michael Sheen has announced a partnership with the globally-acclaimed television studio Bad Wolf, the production house behind major hits such as *Doctor Who*, *His Dark Materials*, and *Industry*. This collaboration comes in the wake of Sheen’s efforts to fill the void left by last year’s closure of National Theatre Wales, launching the Welsh National Theatre earlier this year with a vision to foster homegrown talent and tell compelling Welsh stories.
Bad Wolf, headquartered in Cardiff and known for bringing international TV productions to Wales, has committed to being the Welsh National Theatre’s first private sector investor. Their support is not only vital in securing financial stability for the fledgling theatre company, but also in cultivating a new wave of Welsh writers and theatre-makers. This initiative signals an important step in ensuring that Welsh voices remain at the forefront of stage and screen storytelling.
Speaking at the announcement, Sheen, who was born in Port Talbot and is revered for both his screen and stage achievements, expressed his aspiration for the new entity. “This is a new dawn for theatre in Wales,” Sheen stated. He underlined the theatre’s role as a crucible for Welsh creativity, emphasising that Wales’s rich narrative tradition deserves a prominent space in both English-language and international landscapes. “We intend to be a home for our greatest talent, encouraging ambitious theatre that brings our national story to life,” he added.
The Welsh National Theatre, under Sheen’s leadership as artistic director, has already set out an ambitious agenda. The company’s initial season is slated to begin in January 2026 with a production of *Our Town*, headlined by Sheen himself. Later that year, Sheen will take on the iconic role of Owain Glyndŵr in Gary Owen’s epic new play, *Owain & Henry*, a partnership production between the Welsh National Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre, scheduled for November 2026.
The partnership is rooted in a shared mission to uncover and elevate Welsh stories, many of which, according to Sheen, still wait to be fully explored and recognised, particularly for English-speaking audiences both within Wales and abroad. With Bad Wolf’s history of leveraging Welsh locations and talent to global acclaim, this collaboration is poised to amplify Welsh cultural capital even further.
Jane Tranter, Chief Executive Officer of Bad Wolf, voiced her support for Sheen’s vision. She reflected on the journey since Bad Wolf’s inception a decade ago and how Wales’s creative industries have flourished despite economic headwinds. “The ambition and scale of the Welsh National Theatre speaks volumes about Michael Sheen’s dedication to the arts,” Tranter affirmed, noting that a robust creative community benefits the entire country. She described the partnership as a “bold and exciting venture” that aligns with Bad Wolf’s commitment to fostering local talent.
Beyond producing major productions, the theatre aims to establish talent development pathways, nurturing the next generation of Welsh artists and writers. The synergy between television and theatre through this alliance is widely seen as a strategic move, ensuring that stories from Wales reach a broader audience via both stage and screen.
Sheen expressed optimism about what lies ahead: “Just a few months in, we’ve confirmed our first large-scale productions, anchored our operations in Swansea, and through this new partnership, have begun laying the groundwork for sustained talent development.” He highlighted Bad Wolf’s demonstrated ability to take Welsh narratives to the world stage, acknowledging that this is precisely what the Welsh National Theatre endeavours to achieve.
With production plans well underway, this partnership represents a meaningful investment in both the cultural and economic life of Wales. By embracing television and theatre, the Welsh National Theatre and Bad Wolf are setting the stage for a renaissance in Welsh storytelling that promises to resonate both domestically and worldwide.