Sean Bean on his latest role in Sky's Curfew

The award-winning actor plays The General in the new street race drama, alongside a star-studded cast including Billy Zane and Miranda Richardson

(© Tiger Aspect Productions Limited 2018)

Sean Bean plays The General, a renowned criminal who makes a living supplying an increasingly desperate population with what they need to survive the Government-enforced curfew. But does The General have what's needed to survive the street race?

Why does The General enter the race in Curfew?

I think The General is someone who wants to make a fresh start. He’s had a lot of tragedy in his life, he’s lost his children, and he wants to make a new life with [his girlfriend] Faith. She’s pregnant and they’re desperate to take this baby to a new place and start a new life. I don’t know if it’ll be a straight life, but probably an improvement on his past.

Tell us about The General’s history with Michael…

There’s a kind of animosity, because we arranged to go on a bank robbery together and he let me down. He comes to me with a proposition and I remind him that I don’t forget things like that, so he’s already got him on the back foot. The General’s always pushing for something and is very manipulative and there are these strange mood changes he has, so it’s like dealing with a caged tiger – you don’t know what he’s going to do.

What about The General’s relationship with Faith? Is he protective of her?

Because of what happened in the past, he’s really careful about the baby. He likes Faith, but I think that’s the focus of his attention – to keep this child wrapped in cotton wool.

What three words best describe Curfew as a series?

Dangerous, exciting and ominous. Funny, as well.

And what was it that attracted you to the project?

It’s something different and I thought it was quite relevant to what’s happening today. I wouldn’t say [we’re in] police states, but things are getting militarised in America and you wouldn’t like to think that will happen here, but that’s what happening in our story. I always find dystopian tales and images fascinating. I am totally fascinated by that darkness – it’s seems to be a very subterranean society that people are living in. There’s no communication – there’s just a darkness and a curfew – but there are these few people who want to get out of it, who are eccentrics and free thinkers, and I think many of these personalities are involved in this race.

Did you do any stunt driving?

I did quite a bit of it. I had great instructors, so I was in safe hands. They pulled off some amazing stunts – they’re extraordinary people – but I got involved a little. I drove the Jag and drove it pretty fast, actually. It was fun. It’s a big muscular machine and you can really throw it around. It needs you to, because it’s just a real beast of a car and I really enjoyed that.

Start your engines and strap yourselves in: Curfew is going to be one hell of a ride. Watch the first episode for free now here