“Didn’t mean to harm the man”: Two and a Half Men 2.0 was changed for Charlie Sheen because the character reminded him too much of his past

To a certain extent, Charlie Sheen played himself in Two and a Half Men. The image of the carefree bon vivant who loves gambling, whiskey and cigars overlapped with the real star persona.

In a dispute, the series separated from its main actor in 2011: Sheen fell out with creator Chuck Lorre, among others. Twelve years later they work together again for the series Bookie. In a new article from Variety, Lorre reveals details about Sheen’s role for the first time. The character sounds a lot like Charlie Harper from TAAHM in parts – but the star had one detail changed for good reason.

Two and a Half Men 2.0: What role does Charlie Sheen play in the new series Bookie?

Bookie revolves around the sports betting accountant Danny (Sebastian Maniscalco), who fears for the future of his illegal business: Because California wants to legalize sports betting. Last but not least, he thinks of his wife Sandra (Andrea Anders), who, as an ex-cocktail waitress, imagined their marriage to be more glamorous.

Sheen’s role in the concept has long been kept a secret. Now it is clear: Charlie Sheen plays himself. The main character of the series manages the bets of some famous people and one of them is Charlie Sheen.

Charlie Sheen wanted this change from Two and a Half Men creator Chuck Lorre

In the original version of the script for the first episode, “Charlie Sheen” was supposed to stay in a rehab clinic and have a poker game there. But the real Sheen didn’t like that, says Lorre: “He said, ‘Can we leave the drug addict Charlie thing behind?'” Sheen’s drug addiction was already an open secret on the set during TAAHM and made headlines for years.

Lorre responded to the request and changed the script: In the new version, Charlie simply rents a room in the clinic to hold the game there. “It’s a rehab he knows, but he’s not there to recover from drugs and alcohol, he’s just playing poker”

This change solved the problem. “I didn’t want to harm the man,” says Lorre. This sentence shows how the relationship between Lorre and Sheen has changed in recent years. After Sheen was kicked out, a mudslinging began that was waged by both sides. This is probably finally over with the new series.

On the subject:

When does Bookie with Charlie Sheen start?

Bookie will be on 30.NNovember 2023 appear on Max (formerly HBO Max). The streaming service is not yet available in this country. However, it is to be expected that Bookie will also appear in Germany soon, on RTL+ or Sky.

One of the biggest series scandals explained: Who destroyed Two and a Half Men?

Charlie Sheen was fired after eight seasons and executives had to make an important decision about the future of the series. We look back on this drastic turning point in the Moviepilot podcast Streamgeström.

And what’s left two decades later when we look back at the sitcom and one of the biggest series scandals of the 21st century? We go through the most important questions about Two and a Half Men, Charlie Sheen and Ashton Kutcher.