Sean worked for his father's welding firm before he decided to become an actor. He attended RADA in London and appeared in a number of West End stage productions including RSC's "Fair Maid of the West" (Spencer), (1986) and "Romeo and Juliet" (1987) (Romeo) , as well as "Deathwatch" (Lederer) (1985) at the Young Vic and "Killing the Cat" (Danny) (1990) at the Theatre Upstairs. Sean has three young daughters, Lorna, Molly and Evie.


Daughter, Evie Natasha born, with Abigail Cruttenden. [6 November 1998] He was a presenter at the 1995 BAFTA Awards. Was not the first choice for the role of Richard Sharpe in the Sharpe series; he stepped in when an accident prevented actor Paul McGann from taking the part. Appeared in Moby's video for "We Are All Made of Stars". [2002] He has a "100% BLADE" tattoo on his left shoulder, in honour of his favourite football team, Sheffield United whose nickname is "The Blades". The tattoo is frequently converted (with makeup) into a scar - or a different tattoo - when he is filming. He and his ex-wife, Melanie Hill, have two daughters: Lorna and Molly. Since February 2004, has been living in a London hotel after a burst water pipe flooded his house. The only film awards he's ever won are from the Screen Actors Guild, the National Board of Review and the Broadcast Film Critics Association; these awards were all for Best Cast Ensemble for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), in which he only appeared for three seconds in archive footage. Graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, England. Once played Romeo at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in streetwise-wearing biker's leather. Auditioned for the role of James Bond in The Living Daylights (1987). He later played Bond's nemesis in GoldenEye (1995). Has a younger sister named Lorraine Like fellow countryman Gary Oldman, he started out his career playing villainous characters, only to later distance himself from that on screen image by taking more likable roles like the ones he played in Troy (2004) and North Country (2005). Applied successfully for a grant to study at RADA where he won a Silver Medal and two fencing medals. Was considered for the part of Kainan in Outlander (2008).