---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hopefully, any character I play has an…"
description: "\"Hopefully, any character I play has an anchor in reality. The more fantastical characters, or fantastical worlds that they inhabit are really fun and a..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/870/michael-sheen-4062_anchors_hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-an_824049.jpg"
---

#  Hopefully, any character I play has an anchor in reality…

![“Hopefully, any character I play has an anchor in reality. The more fantastical characters, or fantastical worlds that they inhabit are really fun and allow you, in some ways, to tell stories and reveal things about our lives that would be harder to take, in a more realistic setting.” quote by Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/870/michael-sheen-4062_anchors_hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-an_824049.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/870/michael-sheen-4062_anchors_hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-an_824049.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/870/michael-sheen-4062_anchors_hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-an_824049.jpg)

> “Hopefully, any character I play has an anchor in reality. The more fantastical characters, or fantastical worlds that they inhabit are really fun and allow you, in some ways, to tell stories and reveal things about our lives that would be harder to take, in a more realistic setting.”

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Actors use fantastical settings as a safe distance to explore real human issues, making complex truths more accessible through imagination.

**In simple terms:** Fantasy reveals real life truths.

Key Takeaway

Use imagination to examine real emotions.

Themes

acting fantasy storytelling psychology creativity

Mood

inspirational thoughtful

Type

creative introspective

When to use this quote

- theatre productions
- film roles
- writing workshops
- educational programs

Key Concepts

symbolic narrative emotional truth allegory creative catharsis

Questions to Reflect On

- What real emotion does your favorite fantasy role express?
- How does distance from reality aid honesty?

A Different Perspective

Fantasy can oversimplify or distract from real issues.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Setting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [Hopefully, any character I play has an anchor in reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-anchor-in-reality/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [In fantasy there are no limits or boundaries. The worlds are so epic. A lot of people like losing themselves in these fantastical worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-madden/in-fantasy-there-are-no-limits-or-boundaries-the-worlds-are-so-epic-a/)

[Madeleine Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-madden/)

> [I always wanted to direct stories that are big scale and fantastical worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-herron/i-always-wanted-to-direct-stories-that-are-big-scale-and-fantastical/)

[Kate Herron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-herron/)

> [We love creating these fantastical worlds, and that really comes from things like 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and 'I Am The Walrus.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemp-muhl/we-love-creating-these-fantastical-worlds-and-that-really-comes-from/)

[Kemp Muhl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemp-muhl/)

> [I think it's critical in any character you play that it really is about reacting instead of acting. You can always tell when a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-think-it-s-critical-in-any-character-you-play-that-it-really-is/)

[Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/)

> [I'll always be back to the stage. I have no doubt that the stage will always call me back. There will always be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-blanchard/i-ll-always-be-back-to-the-stage-i-have-no-doubt-that-the-stage-will/)

[Tammy Blanchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-blanchard/)

> [I never look at how many songs I have or how many girls are there in a movie. If I like my character, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-akkineni/i-never-look-at-how-many-songs-i-have-or-how-many-girls-are-there-in/)

[Samantha Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-akkineni/)

> [I'm pretty far from the character I play, so it's fun to mess around and be a 15-year-old again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-braun/i-m-pretty-far-from-the-character-i-play-so-it-s-fun-to-mess-around/)

[Nicholas Braun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-braun/)

> [In every character you play, as much as you hate to admit it as an actor, but there's an element of you that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-montgomery/in-every-character-you-play-as-much-as-you-hate-to-admit-it-as-an/)

[Janet Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-montgomery/)

> [I'm always looking for a low-budget script with an interesting character to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-koenig/i-m-always-looking-for-a-low-budget-script-with-an-interesting/)

Walter Koenig

> [The psych up comes from knowing what I can both give and get from each role. I get a lot personally from each character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-leigh-cook/the-psych-up-comes-from-knowing-what-i-can-both-give-and-get-from/)

[Rachael Leigh Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-leigh-cook/)

> [I want to keep an element of myself in every character I play. And maybe that's connected to finding something that you like in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-dornan/i-want-to-keep-an-element-of-myself-in-every-character-i-play-and/)

[Jamie Dornan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-dornan/)

> [I still get terrified if I have to talk in front of a group of people. By having a character to play, it makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-lee/i-still-get-terrified-if-i-have-to-talk-in-front-of-a-group-of-people/)

[Sheryl Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-lee/)

> [Whatever character I play, I want to inspire. I don't want to just be the girlfriend or be the wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine-cephas-jones/whatever-character-i-play-i-want-to-inspire-i-don-t-want-to-just-be/)

[Jasmine Cephas Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine-cephas-jones/)

> [I dont believe there is any character that one can play for that long and not bring a piece of you to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gless/i-dont-believe-there-is-any-character-that-one-can-play-for-that-long/)

[Sharon Gless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gless/)

## More by Michael Sheen

> [I don't want to do something that I've done before; I can't see the point of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-don-t-want-to-do-something-that-i-ve-done-before-i-can-t-see-the/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [A lot of the times when I've auditioned for parts in America, the answer is, 'Sorry, we need a bigger name.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/a-lot-of-the-times-when-i-ve-auditioned-for-parts-in-america-the/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [Everyone deserves compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/everyone-deserves-compassion/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [I'm always aware that there are, broadly speaking, two different ways to act: there is acting, and then there's being, and I'm always more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-m-always-aware-that-there-are-broadly-speaking-two-different-ways/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [I always say if I'm not good at something it's just because I've not had time to focus on it... it's just uncrafted, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-always-say-if-i-m-not-good-at-something-it-s-just-because-i-ve-not/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [The first thing, when I read the script, is that I need to care about what happens and feel compelled by the story and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/the-first-thing-when-i-read-the-script-is-that-i-need-to-care-about/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [I think the story of 'Alice in Wonderland' in a way is a reminder that life is frightening, it can shift on you at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-think-the-story-of-alice-in-wonderland-in-a-way-is-a-reminder-that/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [For me, what makes life enjoyable is having a shared culture and shared references.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/for-me-what-makes-life-enjoyable-is-having-a-shared-culture-and/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [I perceive and relate to the world through where I grew up; that's part of me. It's what I judge everything else against.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-perceive-and-relate-to-the-world-through-where-i-grew-up-that-s/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [I'm not a Tony Blair impersonator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-m-not-a-tony-blair-impersonator/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [You don't want to get into doing the same thing, over and over again. I know I don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/you-don-t-want-to-get-into-doing-the-same-thing-over-and-over-again-i/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [We see death constantly on film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/we-see-death-constantly-on-film/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [Getting older is a struggle. I always feel that just under the surface of acceptance and enjoyment of the ageing process is a terrible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/getting-older-is-a-struggle-i-always-feel-that-just-under-the-surface/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [Wherever you come from, you carry the place with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/wherever-you-come-from-you-carry-the-place-with-you/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

> [I live a very Kenneth Williams-like existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-live-a-very-kenneth-williams-like-existence/)

[Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

[Explore all 116 Michael Sheen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/)

## More Anchors quotes

> [My identity shifted when I got into # recovery . That's who I am now, and it actually gives me greater pleasure to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/my-identity-shifted-when-i-got-into-recovery-that-s-who-i-am-now-and/)

[Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/)

> [Where it all ends I can't fathom, my friends. If I knew, I might toss out my anchor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-buffett/where-it-all-ends-i-can-t-fathom-my-friends-if-i-knew-i-might-toss/)

[Jimmy Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-buffett/)

> [My mom taught me the power of love. I learned to focus on the long-term big picture from my father. His sense of humor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padmasree-warrior/my-mom-taught-me-the-power-of-love-i-learned-to-focus-on-the-long/)

[Padmasree Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padmasree-warrior/)

> [The past is an anchor with suffering written on the rope. I don't live there now. I am cutting myself free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-millar/the-past-is-an-anchor-with-suffering-written-on-the-rope-i-don-t-live/)

[Mark Millar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-millar/)

> [I was born imagining myself with an apron on, with pies cooling on the window sill and babies crying upstairs. I thought that all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-fisher/i-was-born-imagining-myself-with-an-apron-on-with-pies-cooling-on-the/)

[Carrie Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-fisher/)

> [It's all still about having a good story. You have to have a good story as your anchor, as your main focus. So for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-s-all-still-about-having-a-good-story-you-have-to-have-a-good/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [Women and God are the two rocks on which a man must either anchor or be wrecked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/women-and-god-are-the-two-rocks-on-which-a-man-must-either-anchor-or/)

[Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/)

> [Footnote: 79) The anchor is gigantic and must weigh a hundred tons, and -- delightfully -- it really is anchor-shaped, i.e. the same shape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/footnote-79-the-anchor-is-gigantic-and-must-weigh-a-hundred-tons-and/)

[David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/)

> [Up anchor! Up anchor! Set sail and away! The ventures of dreamland Are thine for a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silas-weir-mitchell/up-anchor-up-anchor-set-sail-and-away-the-ventures-of-dreamland-are/)

[Silas Weir Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silas-weir-mitchell/)

> [Cast all your cares on God; that anchor holds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/cast-all-your-cares-on-god-that-anchor-holds/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [I'm single, footloose and fancy free, I have no responsibilities, no anchors. Work, friendship and self-improvement, that's me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/i-m-single-footloose-and-fancy-free-i-have-no-responsibilities-no/)

[Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/)

> [I get an adrenaline rush from "playing with the big boys." I consider myself a tomboy and was an athlete in high school, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-alexander/i-get-an-adrenaline-rush-from-playing-with-the-big-boys-i-consider/)

[Megan Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-alexander/)

> [Ultimate hope constitutes the anchor of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/ultimate-hope-constitutes-the-anchor-of-the-soul/)

[Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/)

> [Experience had quickly taught her that she could not survive the storms without the anchor of the constraining love of Christ and what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/experience-had-quickly-taught-her-that-she-could-not-survive-the/)

[Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/)

> [Kids are anchors of mothers' life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/kids-are-anchors-of-mothers-life/)

[Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/)

Browse all 358 Anchors quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Hopefully, any character I play has an anchor in reality. The more fantastical characters, or fantastical worlds that they inhabit are really fun and allow you, in some ways, to tell stories and reveal things about our lives that would be harder to take, in a more realistic setting.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Michael Sheen"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-anchor-in-reality-the-more/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Anchors"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-anchor-in-reality-the-more/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/870/michael-sheen-4062_anchors_hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-an_824049.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/870/michael-sheen-4062_anchors_hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-an_824049.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/870/michael-sheen-4062_anchors_hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-an_824049.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Hopefully, any character I play has an anchor in reality. The more fantastical characters, or fantastical…” — Michael Sheen",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Michael Sheen",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Hopefully, any character I play has...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-anchor-in-reality-the-more/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/hopefully-any-character-i-play-has-an-anchor-in-reality-the-more/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
