Sean Bean: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

2. Eddard 'Ned' Stark - Game Of Thrones (2011)

Despite only being a one season run, Bean made his mark on Westeros as the Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King. He effortlessly fits into the role, his rugged exterior and Northern accent making you wonder if Ned was based on Bean himself. As the face of season one of the show, it is a massive shame that you don't get to see more Ned outside of the political manoeuvrings that makes up the majority of his role - prior to the on-screen events, Ned was a fearsome warrior and pivotal in putting Robert Baratheon on the throne. He exemplifies the good guy battling against the tide of corruption and greed, his resulting execution typical of the world where being noble and honest is often a futile practice. Bean expertly portrays the difficulty in balancing being a devoted father and a strong leader, his troubled character completely out of place in King's Landing as he longs to be back in a familiar land where things are so much simpler.