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.

Early life and education

Michael Shaeffer was born in Brockley, London, England.[citation needed] 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

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000Great PerformancesAnnasIn Jesus Christ Superstar
2002The SandwichNickShort Film
2005Kingdom of HeavenYoung Sergeant
2009M.I. HighButchEpisode: Dark Star
2011Silent WitnessJason BodleEpisode: A Guilty Mind: Part 1 & 2
2012BrokenDesk Sergeant
Game of ThronesStark SoldierEpisode: Valar Morghulis
Anna KareninaDoorkeeper
Mrs BiggsPolice InspectorEpisode: #1.1
Parade's EndRSMEpisode: #1.2
2013Black MirrorRoyEpisode: The Waldo Moment
TranceSecurity Guard #1
LutherGordon MurrayEpisode: #3.3
2015Foyle's WarJack DaveyEpisode: Trespass
The VoteGerry HendersonTV movie
London RoadSimon Newton
New TricksDCI Martin AckroydEpisode: Last Man Standing
The Girl in the DressVicar
FireRanger (Mark)
2016GrantchesterEric WhitakerEpisode: #2.3
Rogue OneGeneral Corssin
2017TabooDoctor PowellEpisode: #1.1
SS-GBDavidEpisode: #1.5
VeraIan HollandEpisode: Broken Promise
RellikSteven Mills
2018BodyguardLongcross
The ABC MurdersSergeant Yelland
2019ChernobylBlond Man
2020The Salisbury PoisoningsStephen Kemp
The LiberatorPop BullockTV miniseries
2022SAS: Rogue HeroesNeil Ritchie
2023BodiesCommissioner Hayden HarkerTV limited series
2024Kraven the HunterAndre

Theatre

YearTitleRoleWriterDirectorVenue
2014The Beautiful GameThomasAndrew Lloyd Webber and Ben EltonRobert CarsenCambridge Theatre, London
Mr BurnsSam, Mr.BurnsAnne WashburnRobert IckeAlmeida Theatre, London
Little RevolutionTonyAlecky BlytheJoe Hill-Gibbins
2015How to Hold Your BreathJarronZinnie HarrisVicky FeatherstoneRoyal Court Theatre, London
2017Girl From The North CountryReverend MarloweConor McPhersonLucy HindThe Old Vic, London
All About My MotherLolaPedro AlmodovarSamuel Adamson
2019A Very Expensive PoisonAndrei Lugovoi/Dr Gent/GorbachevLucy PrebbleJohn Crowley
2023Grenfell: In the Words of SurvivorsEdward DaffarnGillian SlovoPhyllida Lloyd and Anthony Simpson-PikeDorfman Theatre

External links