Sean Bean Reveals One Ridiculous Reason His Characters Frequently Die

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It’s become a running joke that Sean Bean’s characters frequently meet their end, and people have definitely noticed this pattern over time. While promoting his new movie, Anemone-where he acts alongside Daniel Day-Lewis-Movieweb asked him not only if he’s aware of his high on-screen death count (which he is), but also if he has any idea why it happens.

I’m not sure why, but I often end up being killed off in roles. I’ve played a good number of villains, though. Naturally, villains usually have to die, unless you’re someone like Dracula. It doesn’t bother me, honestly. I’ve even told them, ‘I’m free for a few weeks, [but then] I have other commitments. Could you write my character’s death in now?’ They always tell me afterwards, ‘Oh, we should have kept you around!’ But, well, it’s too late now.

The ways characters named Bean have died on screen have varied greatly – from shocking and unexpected, to deaths they arguably earned, and even noble, heroic sacrifices. Perhaps the most upsetting was his untimely and unfair death (spoiler alert) in Game of Thrones. This moment could be considered one of the most impactful and significant deaths ever shown on television, as it marked a turning point and completely changed the direction of the story.

Although many fans might imagine Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss regretting Ned Stark’s death, this seems unlikely considering the overall storyline of George R.R. Martin’s series. Sean Bean’s busy schedule wasn’t the reason for that particular character’s demise. Nevertheless, Bean hasn’t completely dismissed the possibility of reprising his role in the future.

We’re also familiar with what is likely his most courageous death – Boromir in The Fellowship of the Ring – and understand it wasn’t due to production scheduling or any later regrets, as it was firmly rooted in previously published material. Therefore, what other deaths do we believe Sean Bean may have questioned?

It’s amusing to think about what might have happened if Bond villain Alec Trevelyn had lived on… well, to meet his end another time. While it seems far-fetched, “006” is often considered one of the greatest Bond villains, and bringing him back could create a compelling storyline. Trevelyn technically dies twice in GoldenEye – once as a deception – but he wouldn’t be the first villain to cheat death multiple times. Still, after 30 years, it’s probably too late for a dramatic resurrection like that.

Sean Bean Goes Toe to Toe with Daniel Day-Lewis in ‘Anemone’

Anemone is the movie that marks Daniel Day-Lewis’s return to acting. He plays Ray Stoker, a withdrawn and secretive man whose troubled history has deeply damaged his family. Rowan Bean plays Jem, Ray’s brother, who reconnects with him after a long time, and the story gradually reveals the reasons why.

Bean and Day-Lewis deliver intense performances, filled with brooding, outbursts, arguments, and lengthy speeches, particularly in the many short scenes where you can clearly see how a difficult history is weighing them down. It’s a fantastic display of their talents, especially considering this is the debut film from director Ronan Day-Lewis.

We won’t give away what happens to Bean in Anemone, but we will say this: it shows a side of Bean that, despite his long and successful career, we haven’t seen before.

Anemone is in theaters on October 3, 2025.

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2025-10-03 21:33