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Sharpe was a series of TV movies based on the novels by Bernard Cornwell featuring the character of Richard Sharpe. Initially, the first choice to play Sharpe was Sean Bean; however he was unavailable, so Paul McGann was cast instead. However, two days into filming of the first episode, McGann injured his knee playing football and was forced to withdraw. By the time production was ready to start again, Bean became available and took on the role. The series was shot mainly in Turkey and the Crimea, although some filming was also done in England, Spain and Portugal. In 2004, as part of ITV's new set of drama, it was announced that ITV intended to produce new episodes of Sharpe, during his time in India, and that they intended to approach Sean Bean with a view to him continuing in the role.
There are some differences between the series and the novels. For instance, in the books, Sharpe was born in Wapping in London and had dark hair. Sean Bean however is blond and is from Sheffield, so the character in the series speaks with a pronounced Sheffield accent. In the first episode of the series, Sharpe is a sergeant in the 95th Rifles serving in Portugal in 1809 when he saves the life of Sir Arthur Wellesley from a group of French cavalry, after which Wellesley gives Sharpe a commission. In the books, this event occurs in India during the Battle of Assaye while Sharpe was serving in the 33rd Foot.
- Foreground: Sean Bean as Sharpe
- Background (from left): Back Row; Daragh O'Malley as Harper, Michael Mears as Cooper, Jason Salkey as Harris; Front Row; Lyndon Davies as Perkins, John Tams as Hagman.
Episodes
- Sharpe's Rifles - Portugal, 1809
- Sharpe's Eagle - Spain, 1809
- Sharpe's Company - Spain, 1812
- Sharpe's Enemy - Portugal, 1813
- Sharpe's Honour - Spain, 1813
- Sharpe's Gold - Spain, 1813
- Sharpe's Battle - Pyrennees, 1813
- Sharpe's Sword - Franco-Spanish border, 1813
- Sharpe's Regiment - England, 1813
- Sharpe's Siege - France, 1813
- Sharpe's Mission - France, 1813
- Sharpe's Revenge - France, 1814
- Sharpe's Justice - England, 1814
- Sharpe's Waterloo - Waterloo, 1815
External Links
Sharpe Appreciation Society (http://www.southessex.co.uk/)
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