Sean Bean opened the door to James Bond return in a bid to ‘complete fantasy’

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The 62-year-old has stunned BBC viewers with his portrayal of Mark Cobden in the broadcaster’s new drama, Time. Critics have hailed Jimmy McGovern’s three-part drama as a five-star winner as fans gear up for the final episode tonight. The proud Yorkshireman stars alongside Stephen Graham, who described the show as a “hard to watch” masterpiece.

Bean remains one of the country’s most beloved actors, thanks to standout performances in Game of Thrones, Sharpe and The Lord of the Rings.

But one of his career highlights was the 1995 James Bond classic GoldenEye, in which he played villain Alec Trevelyan.

Trevelyan is initially a 00 agent and a close friend of Bond, until he fakes his own death and forms the Janus crime syndicate before dying prematurely at the hands of Pierce Brosnan’s 007.

However, playing a villain didn’t stop Bean from ever returning to the franchise and playing 007 himself.

Sean Bean opened the door to James Bond return (Image: BBC)

Sean Bean with Stephen Graham in Time

Sean Bean with Stephen Graham in Time (Image: BBC)

He told Sheffield Today in 2004: “I’ve played a few bad guys, including in the James Bond movie GoldenEye a few years ago.

“First of all, I think Pierce is really good in the part, so I don’t see why he doesn’t do another one.

“As for playing James Bond, well, getting killed as 006 in GoldenEye, I think that kind of puts me out of the picture, don’t you think?

“So I guess I’m not in the running. Not that I would mind playing James Bond. It’s kind of a complete fantasy, isn’t it?”

READ MORE: Sean Bean Has Ruled Out Co-Star Who Should Be The Next James Bond

Sean Bean with Pierce Brosnan in GoldenEye

Sean Bean with Pierce Brosnan in GoldenEye (Image: GETTY)

Bean was reportedly considered to be Bond himself in 1987, before the role eventually went to Welshman Timothy Dalton, who starred in The Living Daylights and License to Kill.

Producers were so impressed with the Sheffield-born star that he landed the role of Bond’s nemesis.

Bean is often asked about the Bond franchise and how it has maintained its appeal after more than 20 films.

But one issue that annoyed Bean was criticism of Brosnan’s successor Daniel Craig.

When Craig was announced as the new Bond in 2005, critics were outraged that a blond-haired man had been given the part, with the secret agent known for his dark hair.

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Sean Bean with Pierce Brosnan

Sean Bean with Pierce Brosnan (Image: GETTY)

James Bond: The Cast of GoldenEye

James Bond: The Cast of GoldenEye (Image: GETTY)

Websites such as blondnotbond.com and danielcraigisnotbond.com were set up to attack the producers’ decision.

Bean told Digital Spy in 2012: “I think Craig is brilliant as Bond. I remember at the beginning they all said, ‘It won’t work,’ and I thought – ‘You’re watching’ – and he did because he a good actor.”

Bean was then asked about the reaction Craig received prior to the role, and he replied, “I think it’s pathetic. You don’t even know what he’s like.

“I had worked with him so I know what he is like and I know he is good so I was especially happy when he [the role].”

Craig himself spoke of the impact it had on him, telling GQ in 2020: “I remember saying to my mom, ‘Can I play James Bond?’

“And she said, ‘Of course you can. But I’m your mother.’”

Daniel Craig as James Bond

Daniel Craig as James Bond (Image: GETTY)

Meanwhile, Bean’s BBC co-star Graham compared Time to the historical drama Bridgerton.

He told Radio Times, “That’s not hard to watch.

“So why is this hard to watch? I think this is hard to watch because it enters your living room.

“Like Jimmy said, ‘We need to look at the penal system…’

“[The series is] hold up a mirror to society and say, “I’m not sure we got it right.” So maybe that’s why it’s so hard to watch, because it makes you think.”

The time ends on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday. All three episodes are now available on BBC iPlayer.

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