A surprise announcement reveals that a prominent Hollywood actor will take over as the new host of the BBC quiz show House Of Games. Michael Sheen is set to replace Richard Osman on the upcoming season of the BBC Two program. Osman decided to step down after hosting the show for the past nine years.
This will be Sheen’s debut as a quiz show host, and he is scheduled to oversee the recording of 100 episodes that will air later this year. Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Sheen mentioned that he is a big fan of the show and looks forward to being part of it.
Tamara Gilder, Joint MD for Remarkable Entertainment, expressed excitement about handing over the reins to Michael Sheen, emphasizing his love for quizzes, which aligns with the essence of the show. Meanwhile, Caroline O’Neill, BBC Commissioning Executive, praised Sheen for his charisma and playful nature, anticipating that audiences will enjoy his hosting style.
Richard Osman, who announced his departure in March after nearly a decade of hosting House of Games, expressed gratitude for the experience and the opportunity to work with an exceptional team. The show has been a BBC Two and BBC iPlayer favorite since 2017, with the current ninth series attracting over 1.6 million viewers.
Aside from his successful novel series, Richard Osman will focus on more writing projects after leaving the show, although he admitted feeling sentimental about no longer being part of House of Games.