Sean Cameron Michael Explained

Sean Cameron Michael
Birth Date:1969 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Occupation:Actor
Education:Rita Maas-Phillips (RADA)
Years Active:1993–present
Awards:2022 SAFTA South African Film and Television Awards

Sean Cameron Michael (born 24 December 1969) is a South African actor, writer and singer. A native English speaker, he is also fluent in Afrikaans.

Early life

Michael was born in Cape Town, South Africa. He became interested in acting at the age of twelve, after appearing in several stage musicals.[1]

While in school, he studied drama with Rita Maas-Phillips (RADA). After completing high school, Michael did his two years compulsory National Service as an infantryman in the South African Defence Force in Potchefstroom. After a number of part-time jobs (including being a waiter and a chef) he decided to become a full-time actor and singer.

Acting career

Over the past three decades, Michael has performed in more than 100 international television series, shorts and feature films and recently received a 2022 SAFTA South African Film and Television Awards nomination as Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film for his role as Ronald in Ryan Kruger's cult-hit Fried Barry. The SAFTAS is the South African equivalent of the American Oscars or British BAFTAS.[2]

The character actor began his career in 1993, playing the role of Thomas in an adaptation of The Gospel According to Matthew. In 1996, he also had a recurring role on , a long-running South African soap opera.[3]

Michael's first significant American television role was in 2005 when he landed the support lead in Dean Devlin's mini-series The Triangle. Also, in 2008 he joined the cast of 24 playing French UN worker, Charles Solenz, in . The New York Post singled out Michael's performance saying that his character "might be the most spineless, loathsome character ever created for this show."[4] In 2011, Michael portrayed the role of Thomas Edison in History Channel's series , scoring the highest viewership ratings in network history.[5]

The following year, he played the lead in Animal Planet's TV special , which scored the highest viewership ratings for the channel since 2003.[6] He appeared in HBO's film The Girl and the Strike Back series. He also worked opposite Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds in Universal's Safe House. In 2013, he starred opposite the late Oscar winner William Hurt in BBC Films' Royal Television Society's film, The Challenger, about the space shuttle disaster. He then started work on season 1 of Black Sails. The show received several Emmy Awards. The second season premiered on January 24, 2015. Michael was considered for Emmy and SAG awards for his work on season one and two as series regular Richard Guthrie.[7] In 2015, he played the supporting role of Lester in the film The Salvation, for director Kristian Levring, and starring Mads Mikkelsen, Eva Green and Jonathan Pryce. The Danish western premiered at Cannes to a ten-minute standing ovation.[8]

In 2016, Michael guest starred in a number of US television shows, including Of Kings and Prophets (ABC), (CBS) and Scorpion (CBS) [9] in which he played the lead baddie, Shane Copley and once again was considered for an Emmy.

In 2017, he recurred as Russian diplomat Grigory Krukov in USA's hit conspiracy drama Shooter and as Old Man Heart in Syfy's Blood Drive

Michael also plays the lead role in the sci-fi short film "Tears in the Rain" which screened at the Boston SciFi Film Festival [10] and won him the Jury and Audience Best Actor Award at the SciFi Underground Film Festival in Munich, Germany.[11] [12] [13]

The actor was next seen as the main protagonist, Sam in director Christopher-Lee Dos Santos' indie feature "Last Broken Darkness".[14] Michael won Best Performance by an Actor in a Feature Film for this role at the Boston SciFi Film Festival (2017).[15]

In 2018, he guest starred as The Ghost (Connor) on CBS' MacGyver (2016 TV series) and was considered for an Emmy nomination for his portrayal.[16]

Michael's next project was the political thriller The Last Victims (2019 film) for director Maynard Kraak. Its Hollywood premiere was at the Pan African Film Festival in February 2019, and then opened the Rapid Lion (South African International Film Festival) on 1 March 2019, where Michael was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role.[17] Michael then went on to win Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film at the South Film and Arts Academy Festival in Chile.[18]

In 2019 the busy actor recurred on Deep State (TV series) on Fox and Epix as Colonel John Russell, as well as "The Devil Speaks" and "Die Spreeus" for Kyknet, while in 2020 he starred in the multi award-winning cult indie film Fried Barry, "Triggered" (Samuel Goldwyn Films), The Last Days of American Crime (Netflix), "A Boere-Krismis" (Mnet), as well as "Vagrant Queen" (SyFy), "MariTeam" for Germany and "The Cars that made the World" (History).

In 2021 Michael was seen in the Netflix original feature "Angeliena" and guest starred in "Die Boekklub". He also starred in short films "Stay Safe" and "A Moment".

In 2022 he was seen opposite David Tennant in "Around the World in 80 Days" for the BBC and as a series regular in "Die Byl" for Kyknet (South Africa) and "Ludik" for Netflix.[19]

This year Michael can be seen recurring on Catch_Me_a_Killer_(TV_series) on BritBox as legendary FBI profiler Robert Ressler. He recently wrapped as a lead on two feature films "Street Trash" and "Masinga - The Calling".

Michael is also attached as a lead in "Broken Brothers" and the "A.S.T." film franchise in which he will play Gideon, the powerful leader of a black bag operation for the CIA.[20] Michael also serves as co-writer and executive producer in the Netflix Original feature "Collision".[21]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1993The Gospel According to MatthewThomas
1994Woman of DesireWaiterUncredited Role
1996 The Making of the MahatmaWarder
1998Ernest in the ArmySoldier #3
1999Pirates of the PlainShopping Network Announcer
2000Shark Attack 2News Anchor ManVideo
2004Cape of Good HopeFather Who Doesn't
2004BlastChopper Pilot
2005Mama JackMedic
2006Faith like PotatoesFergus Buchan
2007Confessions of a GamblerBlack Suit
2008Allan Quatermain and the Temple of SkullsAllan QuatermainVideo
2008The Making of 24: RedemptionCharles SolenzVideo Short
2009InvictusSpringbok Equipment Manager Uncredited Role
2009Albert SchweitzerSinclair
2010ThembaDr. Max Taylor
2010Ira PinkusVideo
2011Heart & SoulChris BernardShort
2011ChiaroscuroDoctorShort
2011There Are No HeroesAgent HKShort
2012Safe HouseLandlordUncredited Role
2012HeartbeatDr. RobertsShort
2013New DoctorVideo
2013A Shot at the Big TimeVan StadenShort
2013Ross Jack: TV's in the Swimming PoolGangsterShort
2013Jimmy in PienkBuk's Father
2013The Time TravelersRonaldShort
2013Magic BulletDonShort
2013LCNVL: DreamcatcherDreamcatcherShort
2014 The Salvation Lester
2014Prime Circle: DoorsGovernment OfficialShort
2016SinnerThe IntruderShort
2016The Weight of WindNicoShort
2016Lea to the RescueRicardo Carvalho
2016Dis Koue Kos, SkatKobus
2017Tears in the RainJohn KampffShort
2017Broken DarknessSam
2017The MummyArchaeologist
2017It's ComplicatedFairy GodmotherShort
2019The Last VictimsDawid
2020Fried BarryRonald
2020The Last Days of American CrimePete Slatery
2020TriggeredMr. Peterson
2021Angeliena (Netflix)Actor
2021Stay SafeTherapistShort
2021A MomentLeadShort
2022Collision (Netflix)Co-Writer / Executive Producer
2024MasingaLead
2024BoogieheadsLeadShort
2024SpiralSupportingShortPost-Prod
2024Street TrashLeadPost-Prod
2024This is How the world EndsSupportingPost-Prod
2025AST 1, 2 and 3GideonPre-Prod
2025HuntingtonActorPost-Prod

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1993Death in the FamilyWarderGuest Role: 1 episode
1993Egoli: Place of GoldMenasse's DiscipleGuest Role: 1 episode
1996Egoli: Place of GoldBrettGuest Role: 7 episodes
1996RhodesMessengerGuest Role – 1 Episode
1997The Adventures of SinbadYoung TimurGuest Role: 1 Episode
1999Male OfficerGuest Role: 1 Episode
1999Fallen AngelDoctor AntoineTV movie
2002Madam & EveStevenGuest Role: 1 Episode
2002Home Alone 4CopTV movie
2002The Red Phone: ManhuntKathy's FatherTV movie
2002PavementUniform Cop 3TV movie
2004This LifeMiles StewartMain role: 39 episodes (1 Season)
2005Charlie JadeBarryGuest Role: 1 Episode
2005SupernovaCustomer #1TV movie
2005Sci-Fi Inside: 'The Triangle'Don BeattyTV movie
2005The TriangleDon BeattyMain role: 3 episodes (Mini Series)
2006Operation Rainbow WarriorNew Zealand JournalistTV movie
2007To Be FirstOrthopedic SurgeonTV movie
2008Ella BlueMullerSouth African Mini Series
2008Shooting StarsJean-PierreSouth African Mini Series
2008CrusoeNolan MooreGuest Role: 1 Episode
2008Special Forces HeroesUlrich WegenerDocumentary Series: 1 Episode
200824Charles SolenzTV movie
2009Natalee HollowayPaul Van Der SlootTV movie
2010The Secret of the WhalesJournalistTV movie
2010America: The Story of UsThomas EdisonDocumentary Series: 1 Episode
2011Get Out AliveClifford DraperGuest Role: 1 Episode
2011OutcastsClark JohnsonGuest Role: 1 Episode
2011Mermaids: The Body FoundMcCormickTV movie
2011Beaver FallsUma's DadGuest Role: 1 Episode
2012Infested!Jeff MenningDocumentary Series: 1 Episode
2012The Great British Story: A People's HistoryWilliam LevettDocumentary Series: 1 Episode
2012Strike BackDr. VasilievGuest Role: 2 episodes
2012The GirlRobert BurksTV movie: Uncredited Role
2012Mankind: the Story of All of UsBenjamin Latrobe Jr.Documentary Series: 1 Episode
2013The Challenger DisasterJudson LovingoodTV movie
2013Banged Up AbroadDetective SwainsonDocumentary Series: 1 Episode
2014When We Were BlackUnknown Main role: 6 episodes (season 2)
2014–2015Black SailsRichard GuthrieMain role: 10 episodes (Seasons 1–2)
2016Scorpion (TV series)Shane CopleyGuest Role: 1 Episode
2016Noah CoetzeeGuest Role: 1 Episode
2016Of Kings and ProphetsNabalGuest Role: 2 episodes
2017Blood DriveOld Man HeartRecurring Role: 8 episodes
2016–2017Shooter Grigory KrukovRecurring Role: 4 episodes
2017Origins: The Journey of HumankindWilliam TyndaleDocumentary Series: 1 Episode
2018MacGyver The GhostGuest Role: 1 Episode
2019Die Spreeus (Kyknet)JeremyGuest Role: 1 Episode
2019Deep State (TV series) (Epix / Fox)Colonel John RussellRecurring Role: 3 episodes
2020Vagrant Queen (SyFy)DukeGuest Role: 1 Episode
2020MariTeam (ARD / W&B Television, Germany)MileshGuest Role: 1 Episode
2021The Cars that made the WorldGeneral PalmerGuest Role: 2 episodes
2021Die BoekklubSouth African TV seriesGuest Role: 1 Episode
2021Die Byl (S3)Harold VermeerGuest Role: 1 Episode
2022Die Byl (S4)Harold VermeerSeries Regular: 10 episodes
2022Ludik (Netflix)Arend BrownSeries Regular: 6 episodes
2023FDR (History)Cordell HullGuest Role: 1 episode
2024Catch_Me_a_Killer_(TV_series)Robert ResslerRecurring: 2 episodes
2024Die Byl (S5)Harold VermeerGuest Role: 1 Episode
2025House of DavidMini-seriesRecurring: 4 Episodes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sean Cameron Michael – Biography. IMDb.com. 22 March 2015.
  2. Web site: From The Wife to Tali's Baby Diary all the 2022 SAFTAS nominations. 14 July 2022.
  3. Web site: One on one with Sean Cameron Michael. 6 November 2017.
  4. News: Jumpin' Jack. Smith, Austin. New York Post. 3 November 2008. 22 March 2015.
  5. Web site: America: The Story Of Us Breaks Ratings Records. Jason J. Hughes. 29 April 2010. Television Blend. 28 May 2011.
  6. Web site: Animal Planet Slays With Best-Ever May in Network History. Animal Planet Press Release. 31 May 2012.
  7. News: On Deck for Black Sails.
  8. News: Cannes critics simply crave Danes in westerns. The Copenhagen Post. 20 May 2014. 22 March 2015.
  9. http://www.tvequals.com/2016/03/22/scorpion-djibouti-call-review-season-2-episode-20/ Trammell, Mark (22 March 2016). "Scorpion “Djibouti Call” Review (season 2 Episode 20)". TV Equals. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  10. http://bostonscifi.com/store/films/shorts-9-cold-cool/
  11. News: WATCH: Award-winning local sci-fi short film, Tears in the Rain. 2018-05-24. en-US.
  12. News: Local short-film Tears in the Rain wins big international award. 2017-02-23. Critical Hit. 2018-05-24. en-GB.
  13. News: SA SciFi wins award in Munich – Transafricaradio. 2017-02-23. Transafricaradio. 2018-05-24. en-US.
  14. Web site: Last Broken Darkness Crashes Down on the Boston Sci-fi Film Festival this February 18th!. www.28dayslateranalysis.com. 2018-05-24.
  15. Web site: 2017 Boston SciFi Film Festival Awards & Commendations Boston SciFi . bostonscifi.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170301005912/http://bostonscifi.com/2017-awards/ . 2017-03-01.
  16. Web site: Watch SA actor Sean Cameron Michael in the hot new remake of MacGyver.
  17. Web site: Mystery Thriller to be filmed in KZN. PressReader. 2017-10-08.
  18. Web site: Winners.
  19. News: Netflix announces its first Afrikaans title series starring acting icon Arnold Vosloo. 20 July 2022.
  20. News: AST. 2017-06-20. WeekendSpecial. 2018-05-24. en-US.
  21. News: A Cinematic collision of Storytelling and Action. 21 July 2022.