His big break came in 1993 in the BBC series, 'Sharpe'. Bean, 47, has played a number of villains including Trevelyan in the 1995 James Bond film, 'Golden Eye'. He stars in 'Outlaw' by director Nick Love, in cinemas from 9 March

My character in Outlaw is...

Determined by what Nick [Love] created in the script. Bryant [the character] has just returned from Iraq. He is floundering and disillusioned by what he sees around him - lawlessness and a system that has failed him, coupled with a family that has fallen apart and carrying the residue of what he has seen over there.

The film is about violence but does not advocate violence because...

I don't think Nick advocates vigilante groups. It's a last resort. The charactersget a rush from it, a sense of excitement, achievement and self-respect. I've been in a few punch-ups. People of my age - a lot of us have.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

Doing my house up. I'm just trying to rearrange the furniture. I moved in about nine years ago but never really sorted it out.

A phrase I use far too often is...

"I'm not bothered any way". It's quite dismissive but I'm not bothered any way. That's why I say it.

I wish people would take more notice of...

My films. No. Err. Each other. We should listen a bit more. I do it too. I get my penny's worth in and end up not listening sometimes. The mark of a good actor is one that can listen.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

Becoming an actor. I had no intention of being an actor. I was quite good at it. I was pretty capable at other things but never any good at anything.

A common misperception of me is...

That I am a tough, rough northerner, which I suppose I am really. But I'm pretty mild-mannered most of the time. It's the parts that you play I guess. I don't mind it. I'm not a tough guy. I'd like to act as a fair, easy-going, kind man at some point.

I am not a politician but...

I'm glad I'm not. I'm not too trusting of them. There have been some good ones like Tony Benn. He's from the old school. I went to see him with my Dad when he was in Yorkshire. My Dad's quite left wing and well read up on stuff like that.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Listen to people and treat people as you find them. There's an inherent goodness in most people. Don't pre-judge people - that was me Mam's advice anyway.

by Sara Newman