Probably where Sean Bean is best known from and where he has been most valued and rewarded by fans is his role in the Sharpe television series.
Portugal 1809, the Penisular War in the age of Napoleon. A British sergeant in the 95th Rifles saves the life of Arthur Wellesley, and finds himself promoted to Lieutenant and in charge of a company of Rifles that do no respect him, to carry out a dangerous and vital mission.
Is the blurb for Sharpe’s Rifles, the first of the series of TV mini-series, and he’s gone on to make thirteen more! They are excellent viewing, and shows this working man’s struggle as he climbs the ranks in a “gentleman” heavy Army heirarchy. Great viewing, I’ve seen most of them and although some have troughed and some have peaked, there have been some superb moments and brilliant acting from Bean.
However, I can’t help thinking that it’s these roles that have locked him into playing baddies, as although Sharpe is good, he’s also a very rough character, just like the rough baddies he’s played in the movie roles. It’s a shame that Hollywood can’t see the potential for the grey character or for Bean himself…still, with the news from Dark Horizonsthat he’s signed up for another:
nearly a decade since the last adventure “Sharpe’s Waterloo”, work has begun on a two-part mini series for ITV entitled “Sharpe’s Challenge” which begins filming on 3rd November up until Christmas on location in Rajasthan, India.
The storyline is set two years after the Duke of Wellington crushes Napoleon at Waterloo. Dispatches from India tell of a local Maharaja, Khande Rao, who is threatening British interests there. Wellington sends Sharpe to investigate on what turns out to be his most dangerous mission to date.
Excellent stuff, I’ll be watching for that. However while I was checking out Bean’s IMDB profile, what do I find but his lead in a Hamlet movie called Dunsinane (that’s the hill upon which Burnham wood doth come).
It’s the first time outing as writer and director for Vincent Regan who is quite a successful actor himself, already having played Macbeth on TV and starring in such movies as 300, Unleashed and Troy.
Bean as Macbeth, and in the lead. This and Sharpe are fantastic pieces of news for him, don’t you agree?
