Michael Shaeffer is an English television and stage actor. He is especially known for his role as "Longcross" in the BBC political-thriller television series Bodyguard (2018).
He has also appeared in the television series Black Mirror (2013), The ABC Murders (2018) and The Salisbury Poisonings (2020), as well as the 2000 film adaptation of Jesus Christ Superstar.
He has also played smaller roles in television shows, including Game of Thrones and Chernobyl, and films such as Kingdom of Heaven and Rogue One.
On stage, he is known for portraying the titular characters of Mr. Burns in Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play, and Aerys II "The Mad King" Targaryen in Game of Thrones: The Mad King.
Early life and education Michael Shaeffer was born in Brockley, London, England. He trained at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama.
Career Shaeffer played Annas in the 2000 Great Performances film adaptation of Jesus Christ Superstar.
In 2013, he appeared in the Black Mirror episode "The Waldo Moment" as the character Roy.
Shaeffer portrayed General Corssin in the 2016 Star Wars film Rogue One.
In 2018 Shaeffer played MI5 agent Richard Longcross in the BBC political-thriller television series Bodyguard. In the same year, he played Sergeant Yelland in the BBC mystery thriller The ABC Murders.
In 2019, Shaeffer played a small role in the critically acclaimed HBO historical drama Chernobyl, where he portrayed a KGB officer. In 2020, he played Stephen Kemp in the BBC fact-based drama The Salisbury Poisonings.
In Summer 2023, Shaeffer was cast as Edward Daffarn in Grenfell, author and playwright Gillian Slovo's verbatim theatre project with the community and survivors about the Grenfell fire disaster, staged at the National Theatre's Dorfman Theatre.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2000 Great Performances Annas In Jesus Christ Superstar 2002 The Sandwich Nick Short Film 2005 Kingdom of Heaven Young Sergeant 2009 M.I. High Butch Episode: Dark Star 2011 Silent Witness Jason Bodle Episode: A Guilty Mind: Part 1 & 2 2012 Broken Desk Sergeant Game of Thrones Stark Soldier Episode: Valar Morghulis Anna Karenina Doorkeeper Mrs Biggs Police Inspector Episode: #1.1 Parade's End RSM Episode: #1.2 2013 Black Mirror Roy Episode: The Waldo Moment Trance Security Guard #1 Luther Gordon Murray Episode: #3.3 2015 Foyle's War Jack Davey Episode: Trespass The Vote Gerry Henderson TV movie London Road Simon Newton New Tricks DCI Martin Ackroyd Episode: Last Man Standing The Girl in the Dress Vicar Fire Ranger (Mark) 2016 Grantchester Eric Whitaker Episode: #2.3 Rogue One General Corssin 2017 Taboo Doctor Powell Episode: #1.1 SS-GB David Episode: #1.5 Vera Ian Holland Episode: Broken Promise Rellik Steven Mills 2018 Bodyguard Longcross The ABC Murders Sergeant Yelland 2019 Chernobyl Blond Man 2020 The Salisbury Poisonings Stephen Kemp The Liberator Pop Bullock TV miniseries 2022 SAS: Rogue Heroes Neil Ritchie 2023 Bodies Commissioner Hayden Harker TV limited series2024Kraven the HunterAndre
Theatre YearTitleRoleWriterDirectorVenue 2014 The Beautiful Game Thomas Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton Robert Carsen Cambridge Theatre, London Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play Sam, Mr. Burns Anne Washburn Robert Icke Almeida Theatre, London Little Revolution Tony Alecky Blythe Joe Hill-Gibbins 2015 How to Hold Your Breath Jarron Zinnie Harris Vicky Featherstone Royal Court Theatre, London 2017 Girl From The North Country Reverend Marlowe Conor McPherson Lucy Hind The Old Vic, London All About My Mother Lola Pedro Almodovar Samuel Adamson 2019 A Very Expensive Poison Andrei Lugovoi/Dr Gent/Gorbachev Lucy Prebble John Crowley2023Grenfell: In the Words of SurvivorsEdward DaffarnGillian SlovoPhyllida Lloyd and Anthony Simpson-PikeDorfman Theatre2026Game of Thrones: The Mad King King Aerys II "The Mad King" Targaryen Duncan MacmillianDominic CookeRoyal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
References
External links