It is an interesting phenomenon when a role becomes so identified with an actor that this portrayal becomes that character forever in the public’s mind. I’m sure this phenomenon has a number of consequences for the actor, the producers, the writers, and the director of a series or film and also for the creator of the character.
When Sean Bean, by a twist of fate, got the role of
Richard Sharpe in a series based on Bernard Cornwell’s p
opular novels, he made the role his own. No matter the description in the early novels of
Sharpe as a black haired Londoner, after 1993
Sharpe was now and forever a blond man from Yorkshire. His creation of the role is so vivid, that for some fans
Richard Sharpe is almost a separate person from actor Sean Bean. The consequences for Sean Bean’s career are many, but one consequence is indisputable, that
Richard Sharpe and the
Sharpe series made him a huge star in the UK.
Richard Sharpe is the creation of Bernard Cornwell and is the main character in his series of historical novels about the British Army under the command of Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington, during the Napoleonic Wars and also in India. Bernard Cornwell says of his creation:
Sharpe is a villain; he's a rogue, but he's our rogue, he's our villain.
The
Sharpe television series aired in the UK between 1993 and 1997. After a break of several years, Sean returned to the role of
Richard Sharpe in two series filmed in India:
Sharpe’s Challenge, which aired in April 2006, and
Sharpe’s Peril which aired in November 2008. For those not familiar with the books, the series, or the history behind both, you can go to our website for more information,
www.SharpePointe.com.Richard Sharpe is a larger-than-life hero, who kills the French, is loyal to his men, fights enemies within his own ranks, and rescues damsels in distress in his spare time. For Sean Bean the challenge is keeping his
Sharpe still very human, a man whose struggle the audience can identify with, whose wins we can celebrate, and whose passions we can relate to.
The Sharpe series is also about merit and friendship. Merit, because at a time when money was the road to promotion in the British military,
Richard Sharpe, son of a prostitute and penniless orphan, rises through the ranks and becomes an officer due to his skill, intelligence, and cunning. He’s also a true gentleman, not by birth and money, but by nature and charm. Sean Bean is perfect at portraying this duality in
Sharpe’s character. He skillfully portrays a man who is sure of his luck and skill in battle, yet insecure in society. Sean is also very believable in portraying
Sharpe in the early episodes of the series as a natural but inexperienced leader who is at first not accepted by his men as a "proper officer". But with "tough love" he forms a strong bond with
Sergeant Patrick Harper and with the
Chosen Men under his command. In the clips below we see some of these layers of character in Sean Bean’s performance:
That brings me to
Richard Sharpe as Romantic Hero. Why would a series a
bout war have such a large female audience? I would say the answer is both Sean Bean and his alter ego
Richard Sharpe.
How perfect for a late 20th Century female audience that
Sharpe’s first love in the series is a soul mate, a woman warrior and
guerilla leader,
Teresa Moreno, played by Spanish actress Assumpta Serna.
Teresa is
Sharpe in reverse, a young woman of wealth who because of the rape and pillage of French soldiers becomes a rebel leader and a killer of the enemy. She is
Sharpe’s first true love and Sean Bean as officer and gentleman knows how to turn flawlessly from soldier to lover. We can see in his eyes, and his body language that he can make us believe the battle hardened solider can also be tender, passionate, gallant, and understanding to his women.
Combine this with a dashing uniform and a handsome man, and women fans continue to follow the series, and read the books. We can get a glimpse of Sean as romantic hero in the video below of several romantic scenes between
Sharpe (Sean Bean) and
Teresa (Assumpta Serna):
But did I mention that our romantic hero is not always faithful to his women? Yes, there’s that rogue part again…the bad boy we’ve talked about before.
Sharpe may be true to his loves in heart and soul, but not always in body. So this brings us back to the question, are women attracted to bad boys? Maybe I’ll continue to explore this in future posts with more about the series and more about
Sharpe and his women.
Later this year Sean Bean becomes not one, but two vivid and multi-layered characters in
CA$H! We can look forward to seeing him as Pyke and Reese.
Myriam
Going to Cannes next week? Here's your chance to see CASH! at the Marche du Film. 
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