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Chosen Men

Sharpe

Richard Sharpe

"There's no future in being a gentleman in a fight."

Played By: Sean Bean

Appears In: Sharpe's Tiger (Novel only), Sharpe's Triumph (Novel only), Sharpe's Fortress (Novel only), Sharpe's Trafalgar (Novel only), Sharpe's Prey (Novel only), Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Havoc (Novel only), Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Gold, Sharpe's Escape (Novel only), Sharpe's Fury (Novel only), Sharpe's Battle (Novel only), Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Sword, Sharpe's Skirmish (Novel only), Sharpe's Enemy, Sharpe's Honour, Sharpe's Regiment, Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe's Mission (TV only), Sharpe's Revenge, Sharpe's Justice (TV only), Sharpe's Waterloo, Sharpe's Assassin (Novel only), Sharpe's Ransom (Novel only), Sharpe's Challenge (TV only), Sharpe's Peril (TV only), Sharpe's Devil (Novel only)

A rifleman in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. The series dramatises Sharpe's struggle for acceptance and respect from his fellow officers and from the men he commands. Sharpe was born a guttersnipe in the rookeries of London. Commissioned an officer on the battlefield, he overcomes class in an army where an officer's rank is often bought. Unlike many of the officers with whom he serves, Sharpe is an experienced soldier. Described as "brilliant but wayward" and a "loose cannon".

Action Dad: During Sharpe's Company and Sharpe's Enemy, where Teresa has his daughter. After Teresa dies in Sharpe's Enemy, Sharpe never sees his daughter again.
Adaptation Dye-Job: Sharpe is described as having dark hair and blue eyes. In contrast, Sean Bean has light hair and blue eyes.
Batman Gambit: Runs one in the closing minutes of Sharpe's Enemy. He tells Colonel Dubreton and his wife that he has horse (cavalry), foot and artillery. He knows the arrogant Ducos will be dismissive of this, which comes as a surprise to the French soldiers sent to take Adrados and they are beaten back by volleys of rifle fire, fake cavalry and rocket artillery.
Battle Trophy:
- If Sharpe kills a French Colonel with suitably big feet, he'll take their boots for himself. It's for pragmatic reasons: the shoes the British issue are terrible by comparison.
- Similarly, in the books he also wears pants looted from the same French Chasseur Colonel in Sharpe's Rifles, to replace his own which were falling apart. This is mentioned as a backstory bit in the first book published, Sharpe's Eagle, so that he has a Non-Uniform Uniform. He eventually gets a spare full uniform down the line, but he habitually wears his usual uniform if possible.
- He briefly takes Leroux's Klingenthal sword as one in Sharpe's Sword, but opts against it.
Big Damn Heroes: His career defining moment in both books and tv series is to save Arthur Wellesley's (the future Duke of Wellington) life. In the books, it's at the Battle of Assaye, from approximately five Mahratta soldiers. In the tv series, it's from three French cavalrymen in Sharpe's Rifles.
BFS: Alongside his rifle, Sharpe wields a 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword.
Book Dumb: Played with. In the beginning of the series, Sharpe has exactly the level of education expected of a man of his background and class (none). He learns to read after sharing a cell and a Bible page in India with William Lawford for three months. Even then, he sees no real reason to get an education, in the TV series, until he gets married and commissioned. At that point he seems to realise that the Officer and a Gentleman thing is probably going to stick, and he can't embarrass his wife by being a brute. After this, he becomes an avid reader, and is occasionally shown swapping books with The Smart Guy Harris.
Bothering by the Book: Usually when he wants to annoy someone - as a former career NCO, and with extensive (unwanted) experience as a Quartermaster, he knows all the rules and can (when he wants to) apply them with malicious precision.
Call to Agriculture: Occasionally expresses a desire in the books to get a small farm and settle down after he leaves the army.
The Captain: For most of the Peninsular War books, he either has the rank or functions in the role. He later upgrades to Majorly Awesome and, finally, Colonel Badass.
Captain Smooth and Sergeant Rough: As a soldier raised from the ranks and not a gentleman by birth, Sharpe fits the Sergeant Rough mold to most of his commanding officers, who are typically of the gentry class and bought their commissions, despite his rank being higher than a sergeant. This works best with Lawford, as both fit the respective roles like a glove, and recognise how well they work together.
Cartwright Curse: Until Lucille, Sharpe has little to no luck with women and is his own worst enemy in that field.
Chick Magnet: Being Tall, Dark, and Handsome, later with a distinguished skunk stripe, and interestingly scarred, he tends to be magnetically attractive to women. More than one character despairs at this.
Combat Pragmatist: He's just as likely to use his fists and feet in a Sword Fight as his sword. Case in point his duel with La Marquesa's husband.
Sharpe: We've played by your rules. Now, we'll play by mine. [Cue Groin Attack]
Cool Sword: His 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword, given to him by Captain Murray. After it gets broken in Sharpe's Sword, Harper makes him a new one.
Cunning Linguist: In the books, he remains relatively uneducated, but still winds up as a fluent speaker of French and Spanish.
Dark and Troubled Past: An orphan raised in a brothel who suffered poverty, physical abuse and malnourishment. As a teenager, he went into hiding in Yorkshire after killing a gang leader.
The Dreaded: Sharpe is regarded as one of the most dangerous men in the British Army after taking a French Eagle at Talavera, and gets significant Villain Respect from the French (as is sometimes noted, he's occasionally respected more by the French than his own side). By the end of the series, he is responsible for 182 onscreen deaths. And that's just the tv series - the book version has a much higher kill-tally.
The Dulcinea Effect: Depressingly prone to this, as Hogan lampshades - for all Sharpe's grouchy mannerisms, he's very prone to jumping on the metaphorical white charger and thunder off looking for ladies to rescue.
Foil: To Lawford. Lawford is a charming social butterfly, adept politician, and well-educated aristocrat who sees his military career as a springboard for political success. Sharpe is a taciturn and brilliantly talented Book Dumb career soldier, illiterate until he met Lawford, and whose main ambition after the military is a peaceful life on a farm. They work fantastically together on the grounds thanks to the couple of things they have in common (both are brave and have Hidden Depths), and that they both respect and recognise each other's strengths - Sharpe's a survivor and a brilliant natural soldier, so Lawford (while more than competent in his own right) largely lets him do what he likes. In turn, Lawford is a highly competent administrator, taught Sharpe how to read and write, and is excellent at getting Sharpe the resources he needs.
Good Scars, Evil Scars: Sharpe has prominent scars on his back from a sentence to 2000 lashes (of which only 200 were done). He often takes his shirt off with his back to the viewers. In the books, he also has a scar that gives him a mocking expression, save for when he smiles.
Happily Married:
- He and Teresa were this before her death, even if her career as guerrilero and his as a soldier made it difficult.
- After her death, he seems to be this with Jane, but after the honeymoon period wears off, it goes horribly wrong.
- And again with Lucille at the end of the series, even if it is something of a common law marriage (divorce being complicated and expensive.
Honor Before Reason: Despite sneering at most aristocratic pretensions, he takes this very seriously, and ends up in many duels as a result, to the exasperation of his more pragmatic friends and the Duke of Wellington.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Both the book and TV versions, though it's more prominent in the latter case.
Marie-Angelique: You are a good man, Richard, whatever you would have the world think.
The Lancer:
- To the Duke of Wellington, acting as Wellington's attack dog. In the TV show, Wellington's main solution to any particularly difficult problem is to have Sharpe and his men deal with it, be it destroying a bridge or putting down a small army of renegades, training a group of Irish soldiers who are angry and resentful, etc. It helps that Sharpe is simultaneously highly competent, detached from normal service thanks to his Chosen Men being marooned on the retreat from Corunna, and expendable.
- He is the same to William Lawford, when Lawford commands the South Essex. Lawford is an excellent administrator and social butterfly, but while a highly comptent soldier in his own right, he ultimately sees his time in the Army as a springboard for a future career in politics. Sharpe, meanwhile, is a career soldier and excels at putting all the resources Lawford manages to schmooze together to good use.
Made of Iron: He takes a great amount of damage over the series, mostly sword slashes and shots to the leg, but he gets shot in the gut in Sharpe's Sword and gets blasted with a blunderbuss in Sharpe's Revenge. And that's not going into the scars on his back from 200 lashes.
Majorly Awesome: Spends most of the TV series at the rank of major and he is one of the best in the British Army.
Manipulative Bastard: Poorly educated and blunt though he may be, he has a knack for manipulating people when he wants to.
Mr. Fanservice: Just look at how often Sean Bean shows up on that page. Shirtless Scenes in spades. Hogan lampshades it during Sharpe's Eagle:
Hogan: Sharpe?
Sharpe: Yes, sir?
Hogan: Stop showing off, Sharpe.
Murder Is the Best Solution: He has a slightly disturbing habit of quietly murdering/arranging the deaths of officers, even on his own side, who he feels put his men in danger. This escalates in Sharpe's Waterloo all the way up to the Prince of Orange, after the latter's stupidity got two battalions wiped out — though since the Prince survived in Real Life, Sharpe only managed to get him in the shoulder. Despite the latter being an Open Secret in Sharpe's Assassin, he gets away with it. It helps that no one can prove it, and while Wellington puts two and two together (Sharpe was suspiciously close by when it happened, and he knows Sharpe), he finds it Actually Pretty Funny and very convient, backhandedly telling Sharpe that he approves — Orange was a Spanner in the Works who'd got several battalions killed but too powerful to dismiss — a painful but non-lethal injury that forced him from the field was the perfect solution.
Non-Uniform Uniform: In the books he wears pants looted from the French Chasseur Colonel antagonist in Sharpe's Rifles, to replace his own which were falling apart. This is mentioned as a backstory bit in the first book published, Sharpe's Eagle. He eventually gets a spare full uniform down the line, but he habitually wears his usual uniform if possible. The pants even become something of a plot point in Sharpe's Waterloo: Sharpe's early eyewitness intel about the French army's advance is ignored by higher-ups because the officer he approached later said the intel came from a British Rifle officer wearing French cavalry trousers, thus it's assumed to be from an enemy agent, and so history plays out as in real life with Wellington being caught by surprise and "humbugged".
Oop North: Sean Bean's Sheffield accent is on prominent display, despite the fact that Sharpe is canonically a Londoner. Bean's performance was so impressive, however, that Cornwell (who was still writing the books, including ones about Sharpe's backstory) established that Sharpe spent time in Sheffield during his teens before joining the army.
Plot Armor: Before completing the series, Bernard Cornwell said in interviews that Sharpe would die of old age, in his bed, surrounded by loving family members; "I owe him that much; he paid off my mortgage."
Politically Incorrect Hero: To an extent, though perhaps less than one would expect from a 19th century soldier. For example: "You boneheaded Paddy."
Pragmatic Hero: Sharpe is, in every instance where women aren't involved, ruthlessly practical.
Rank Up: Happens numerous times through the series, starting with a promotion from sergeant to lieutenant in Sharpe's Rifles, from lieutenant to captain in Sharpe's Eagle, from captain to major in Sharpe's Enemy, and from major to lieutenant colonel in Sharpe's Waterloo.
Refuge in Audacity: During the books version of Sharpe's Gold, he needs to get the titular gold out of Almeida, as it is pretty much required to keep the British Army in the Peninsula. However, his enemy, Colonel Jovellanos (a Spanish partisan looking to use it to set up his own fiefdom), has successfully faked orders saying otherwise, which the British garrison commander believes. Almeida is one of the largest, strongest, and most secure fortresses in Portugal, bristling with defences. So what does Sharpe do? He blows up Almeida. ^note
Right Man in the Wrong Place: Several characters (not to mention Bernard Cornwell himself) have often lampshaded the fact that the British Army in general, and Wellington in particular, distrust soldiers and officers who stand out for acts of daring and bravery, and would prefer to have a battalion of solid, dependable men instead of one badass rogue. But even Wellington needs the occasional dirty job done, and when that happens, he knows exactly who to call.
- Cornwell has also lampshaded the irony that Sharpe is exactly the kind of soldier Napoleon loved and took care to reward, and that if Sharpe had been born French, he could have started in the ranks and made it all the way to general, as several of Napoleon's Marshals did.
Self-Made Man: A military version, which brings him trouble from more aristocratic officers who have bought their commissions rather than earning them.
Son of a Whore: In his own words, "I was born in a whorehouse and hope to die in the army." Total badass.
Still Wearing the Old Colors: Sharpe refuses to wear any other uniform than that of the 95th, in spite of serving in a variety of other regiments. He also expresses a desire to be buried in it.
A Taste of the Lash: Has a very low opinion of this type of punishment, given his own experience and the fact that it leads to desertion rather than discipline.
Trading Bars for Stripes: During his tenure in Yorkshire, he killed the landlord of the tavern where he worked at in a fight over a local girl. To avoid arrest, he took the "King's shilling" and joined the 33rd Foot.
Undying Loyalty: Sharpe feels this way toward Lawford as the officer is both competent and fundamentally good, an exceeding rarity in the British Army. Add to this is the fact that Lawford taught Sharpe how to read and write, which Sharpe considers to be one of the greatest gifts he's ever received.
Unskilled, but Strong: He's not a particularly skilled swordsman, but makes up for it by fighting dirty and beating down his opponents with overpowering attacks.
Wardrobe Flaw of Characterization: His uniform is cobbled together and worn out, with holes and missing braiding and buttons, as a way of showing that he's a poor soldier who earned his commission rather than a gentleman wealthy enough to purchase his position and a properly tailored uniform. Downplayed in the show.
Weapon Specialization: In addition to his Baker Rifle, he also uses a 1796 heavy cavalry sword for fighting in close quarters. He prefers, and is much more skilled with, the rifle. Not only is the pairing very effective in combat as the cavalry sword is able to power through lighter officer swords and the rifle has more range and accuracy than either a musket or a pistol, but they serve as a reminder of the character's humble beginnings and where he is now. The rifle isn't that humble, to be honest, as all officers of the 95th historically carried them instead of more common pistols.
What the Hell, Hero?: He calls out Leroy, with whom he normally gets on quite well, for his past as a slave trader.
Working-Class Hero: He's a great officer because he fought his way up from the ranks, defeating prejudice from the aristocrat-dominated officer corps who know far less about what warfare is like for the common soldier. Because of this Sharpe focuses on what he knows is important from his battlefield experience instead of getting hung up on theory like the book-taught officers. However, this trope is subverted in one way—Sharpe has a great respect for the upper-class William Lawford, who taught him how to read while they were imprisoned together in India. It helps that Lawford is a more than competent officer in his own right and a perfect Foil for Sharpe, the metaphorical Captain Smooth to Sharpe's comparative Sergeant Rough - Sharpe gets a commander who unhesitatingly trusts and supports him (most of the time), and Lawford gets the most dangerous man in the British army for his right-hand man, whose battlefield successes bolster Lawford's political career.

Harper

Sergeant Patrick Harper

"God save Ireland."

Played By: Daragh O'Malley

Appears In: Sharpe's Prey (Novel only), Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Havoc (Novel only), Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Gold, Sharpe's Escape (Novel only), Sharpe's Fury (Novel only), Sharpe's Battle (Novel only), Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Sword, Sharpe's Skirmish (Novel only), Sharpe's Enemy, Sharpe's Honour, Sharpe's Regiment, Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe's Mission (TV only), Sharpe's Revenge, Sharpe's Justice (TV only), Sharpe's Waterloo, Sharpe's Assassin (Novel only), Sharpe's Ransom (Novel only), Sharpe's Challenge (TV only), Sharpe's Peril (TV only), Sharpe's Devil (Novel only)

Harper is a large, fierce-seeming man from Donegal, Ireland, recruited in the early years of the 19th century into the British Army and eventually the 95th Rifle Regiment. He becomes one of Sharpe's closest friends and his most reliable companion, sharing many of his exploits and rising in rank beside him to sergeant and regimental sergeant-major.

Adaptational Name Change: In the books, Harper's middle name is Augustine. In the TV series, it's Michael.
Adaptation Dye-Job: Harper is a large, blond man in the books. In the episodes, he's a large, dark-haired man.
Age Lift: He's in his mid-twenties in the books. In the series, he's middle-aged.
Berserk Button:
- Don't insult his Irish ancestry. He gives Sharpe a Death Glare when he calls him a "boneheaded Paddy" in Sharpe's Rifles. When Obadiah Hakeswill calls him a "filthy Irishman" in Sharpe's Company, Harper has to be restrained by Sharpe.
- Don't be an Irishman who can't keep his gun in half-decent order. Ain't that right, O'Rourke?
  Harper: I'm ashamed and disgusted, so I am, that an Irishman can't keep his gun in half decent order. Jesus, you wouldn't kill an Englishman with that, never mind a bloody Frenchman!
BFG: Harper's primary weapon from Sharpe's Company onward is a Nock gun, a heavy weapon with seven barrels, essentially a colossal shotgun. It was a gift from Sharpe.
Blown Across the Room: Anyone on the receiving end of Harper's Nock gun will end up like this. Oftentimes, Harper can kill three men at a time when firing.
Combat Pragmatist: For one thing, grabbing Sharpe's balls in a fight in Sharpe's Rifles.
Defeat Means Friendship: In Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe has to beat the stuffing out of Harper to gain his respect enough to follow him on their first mission together after the captain of the company dies.
Fighting Irish: He's Irish and highly effective in combat, particularly with the Nock gun.
Improvised Weapon: Kills a French cavalryman during Sharpe's Rifles by shooting a ramrod into his throat.
It's Personal: Toward the four traitorous Irish Company soldiers in Sharpe's Battle. During the Final Battle, Harper seeks them out and kills them all.
Kick The Son Of A Bitch: Makes every moment of Sergeant Lynch's life as much of a hell as he can in Sharpe's Regiment.
The Lancer: Sharpe's close friend and second-in-command.
Overly Long Name: Not him but his son, Patrick Jose Hagman Cooper Harris Perkins Harper.
Perma-Stubble: Harper typically has a day’s worth of stubble. He has to shave it for a disguise in Sharpe's Regiment.
Rank Up: He is, initially unwillingly, made a Sergeant in Sharpe's Rifles, before later becoming a Sergeant-Major.
Roaring Rampage of Revenge: Goes on one in the closing minutes of Sharpe's Battle after O'Rourke, the traitorous Royal Irish Company soldier who murdered Perkins.
The Starscream: During Sharpe's Rifles, he tries to lead a mutiny against Sharpe a little less than halfway through.
Token Minority: Of the Chosen Men, he's the only one who's not from England.
Weapon Specialization: He uses a Nock gun, a seven-barrelled musket developed in limited numbers by the Royal Navy; the gun has understandably immense firepower, especially at close range and with it, ridiculous recoil (in real life the British found the gun was Cool, but Inefficient as it was very heavy, very slow to reload and it would even often injure the operator by breaking or dislocating their shoulder; Harper never experiences this issue, though it is acknowledged that he's one of the very few men big and strong enough to handle it).

Hagman

Rifleman Daniel Hagman

"Got him."

Played By: John Tams

Appears In: Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Havoc (Novel only), Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Gold, Sharpe's Escape (Novel only), Sharpe's Fury (Novel only), Sharpe's Battle, Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Sword, Sharpe's Skirmish (Novel only), Sharpe's Enemy, Sharpe's Honour, Sharpe's Regiment, Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe's Mission (TV only), Sharpe's Justice (TV only), Sharpe's Waterloo

The oldest Chosen Man and the best shot, Hagman was a successful poacher until a run-in with the law forced a change of career.

Book Dumb: He can neither read nor write, but he is the best marksman and survivalist among the Rifles.
Character Catchphrase: He often follows each shot with a softly spoken "got him."
Chaste Hero: Hagman is the only Chosen Man who doesn't have any particular romantic interests.
Delivery Guy: He and Harris share this role for Harper's wife Ramona during the tv version of Sharpe's Honour, which includes a scene where he and Harris argue over what position Ramona should be in to deliver the baby. Hagman says Ramona should be on all fours, Harris thinks she should be in a crab position. Hagman wins.
Descended Creator: John Tams, who played Hagman, composed much of the music for the series.
Died in Your Arms Tonight: He dies in Sharpe's arms in the book of Sharpe's Waterloo.
Friend to All Children: Hagman sings children's songs to the children in camp, and takes care of a scared French drummer boy whose unit has been killed during the Battle of Waterloo.
Friendly Sniper: Hagman is the best shot and a pleasant man to be around, who acts as a mentor to the younger riflemen, particularly Perkins.
Hat Damage: Sharpe tests Hagman's skills when they first meet by throwing his shako up in the air and Hagman quickly shoots it.
Old Soldier: Hagman is the oldest of the Chosen Men.
Oop North: Hagman hails from Cheshire.
Rank Up: Promoted to Sergeant for Sharpe's Waterloo.
Sniper Duel: In Sharpe's Siege, as he and a French sniper shoot the Compte de Marquerre as he returns from a parley.

Harris

Rifleman Harris

"I'll trade you a Voltaire and a filthy book by the Marquis de Sade for yours by Sir Augustus, sir."

Played By: Jason Salkey

Appears In: Sharpe's Prey (Novel only), Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Havoc (Novel only), Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Gold, Sharpe's Escape (Novel only), Sharpe's Fury (Novel only), Sharpe's Battle, Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Sword, Sharpe's Skirmish (Novel only), Sharpe's Enemy, Sharpe's Honour, Sharpe's Regiment, Sharpe's Siege (TV only), Sharpe's Mission (TV only), Sharpe's Waterloo'' (TV only)

Formerly a teacher, now serving as a Chosen Man as a result of some bad debts.

Back for the Finale: After being absent for Sharpe's Revenge and Sharpe's Justice, he returns in Sharpe's Waterloo. Winds up being Back for the Dead.
Badass Bookworm: He enjoys reading books, especially philosophy and is the intellectual member of the company.
Brilliant, but Lazy: Harris has the most educational skills of the Chosen Men, but was a "courtier to my Lord Bacchus and an unremitting debtor."
Canon Foreigner: Harris is original to the TV series, as the producers wanted a literate intellectual to act as a counterpoint to Sharpe, Harper, and the rest of the Chosen Men.
Cultured Badass: Harris is fluent in French, Spanish, and Portuguese, as well as poetry. In Sharpe's Sword, he is given the job of decoding a message and in Sharpe's Mission, he gets the better of a man trying to seduce Jane Gibbons by pointing out the flaws in his knowledge.
Death by Adaptation: In the series, he's killed at Waterloo. Both his book counterpart and their real-life inspiration survived the war.
Delivery Guy: He and Hagman share this role for Harper's wife Ramona during Sharpe's Honour, which includes a scene where he and Hagman argue over what position Ramona should be in.
Fiery Redhead: Averted; Harris doesn't lose his temper that much.
Frame-Up: Framed for the murders of three Gypsies in Sharpe's Mission, though he is cleared.
I Am Very British: Speaks with an RP accent.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: His fate in Sharpe's Waterloo, while charging to rescue Hagman.
No Full Name Given: Only ever known as Harris. Hagman lampshades it when he asks about his name. Word of God gives his first name as Benjamin, in tribute to the real Rifleman Harris whose memoir helped inspire the series. There are significant differences between the two, though. Most significantly the real Benjamin Harris was illiterate (his memoir was dictated) and from Somerset, not a well-read sophisticate.
Rank Up: Is made a sergeant in Sharpe's Waterloo.
Refuge in Audacity: During Sharpe's Sword, Harris is in the library looking for a book that could serve as a key for a message he's trying to decode. When Sir Henry Simmerson asks him what he's doing, Harris replies that he's looking for a book to wipe his butt. Hilariously enough, Simmerson hands him exactly the book he needs.
The Smart Guy: Harris can read and write in French and Spanish, which comes in handy a few times. There's a subplot in Sharpe's Sword where he's trying to decode a message.
Smart People Wear Glasses: Harris is sometimes seen with a pair of spectacles and is The Smart Guy.
Warrior Poet: He's the closest thing the series has to this trope. In Sharpe's Sword, he's involved in a lengthy sub-plot where he must find a copy of Voltaire's Candide in order to find a French spy. Besides that, he's one of the few literate members of The Squad, and Sharpe often gets a lot of esoteric information from him, whether he wants it or not.

Cooper

Rifleman Francis Cooper

"It's very hard to trust a man who wants to borrow your pick-lock."

Played By: Michael Mears

Appears In: Sharpe's Prey (Novel only), Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Eagle (TV only), Sharpe's Company (TV only), Sharpe's Enemy (TV only), Sharpe's Honour (TV only), Sharpe's Gold (TV only)

A former thief who chose to join the Army instead of gaol ^notean old way of spelling jail, hanging or transportation.

Career-Ending Injury: Is implied to be repatriated due to injuries he suffered during Sharpe's Gold, hence why he doesn't make any further appearances (except as narrator of Sharpe: The Legend).
Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: While he has a reputation for being unintelligent and impulsive at times, he is one of the best shots, rarely missing an opportunity, whether it's to leave the column to shoot a rabbit for supper, or to eye up any pretty lady.
Deadpan Snarker: Gets the CMOF in Sharpe's Rifles, and possibly the entire series with his line, "It's very hard to trust a man who wants to borrow your picklock, sir."
Put on a Bus: Disappears after being wounded in Sharpe's Gold, but shows up again as the narrator of Sharpe: The Legend.
- It was originally intended for him to return, but Michael Mears was busy with other projects.
The Sneaky Guy: A former thief, Cooper can do such things as pick locks.
Spared by the Adaptation: In the novels, Cooper is the first named rifleman to be killed on the retreat to Corunna in Sharpe's Rifles. His television counterpart would survive and go on to have many more adventures with the 95th Rifles.
Tall, Dark, and Snarky: Tall, thin, dark-haired, and always ready with a quick line that leaves Sharpe, himself a Deadpan Snarker, wordless for reply.
Trading Bars for Stripes: Sharpe asks him if he volunteered for the army. He replies that he was "invited" to join by a magistrate.
Unfriendly Fire: Shoots a British spy dressed up as a French soldier in Sharpe's Company.
Unusual Euphemism: Refers to himself in the past as a "trader... in property and the like."
Sharpe: Would that be other people's property, Cooper?

Tongue

Rifleman Isaiah Tongue

"Yea. I say yea... yea."

Played By: Paul Trussell

Appears In: Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Havoc (Novel only), Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Gold (Novel only)

A Chosen Man with a Mysterious Past.

Adaptational Personality Change: In the books, Tongue is the educated Rifleman with an alcohol problem, similar to Harris. In the TV series, Tongue doesn't know much other than the Bible and being the group sentry.
As the Good Book Says...: Tongue has a tendency to quote the Bible and Harper refers to him as a Bible-thumper in Sharpe's Eagle. For example, he says "Oh woe unto them who rise up early and follow strong drink all day" when Sharpe has to call the Chosen Men away from a whole day of "whoring."
*Click* Hello: His first action in the series is to pull a gun on Sharpe.
Mysterious Past: Tongue doesn't know anything of his past apart from being in the Army and a foundling home.
Never Bareheaded: Always seen wearing a cloth atop his head.
Perpetual Frowner: Never shown smiling.
The Quiet One: Tongue doesn't speak much and has to be told to speak up at one point.
Sensor Character: Tongue has the best eyes and ears in the group, serving as the group sentry.
Spared by the Adaptation: He's killed off in the novel Sharpe's Gold. In the series, he merely disappears.
What Happened to the Mouse?: Tongue is absent from the series after Sharpe's Eagle. At least Cooper has an excuse due to injury.

Perkins

Ben Perkins

"I'm sorry, Sarge..."

Played By: Lyndon Davies

Appears In: Sharpe's Rifles (TV only), Sharpe's Havoc (Novel only), Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Gold (TV only), Sharpe's Escape, Sharpe's Fury (Novel only), Sharpe's Battle, Sharpe's Company (TV only), Sharpe's Enemy (TV only), Sharpe's Honour (TV only), Sharpe's Sword (Novel only), Sharpe's Skirmish (Novel only)

The youngest of the Chosen Men.

The Baby of the Bunch: Perkins is the youngest of the Chosen Men and the least experienced of the Chosen Men.
Big Damn Heroes: Perkins earned his place in the Chosen Men when he saved Sharpe from Colonel De L'Eclin in Sharpe's Rifles.
Butt-Monkey: As the youngest of the Chosen Men, he usually gets the most humiliations, like getting taken hostage by Teresa, Disguised in Drag, getting a Tap on the Head from Hakeswill which leads to Teresa getting killed) and having his Love Interest fall victim to the Cartwright Curse before his own death.
Cartwright Curse: The only woman he's interested in dies terribly, and he dies not long after.
Conveniently an Orphan: Harper mentions he's an orphan in Sharpe's Eagle.
Death by Adaptation: He is slowly Demoted to Extra in the novels until fading out entirely, meanwhile in the television series he is murdered by turncoats in Sharpe's Battle.
Death by Irony: Perkins is the only Chosen Man left standing in a melee where the rest are gunned down. Then it turns out the Chosen Men were Faking the Dead. In the ensuing shootout, Perkins is murdered by O'Rourke, making him the first Chosen Man to die onscreen.
Disguised in Drag: The other Chosen Men use him dressed up in Ramona's best dress as a Trojan Prisoner gambit in Sharpe's Enemy to infiltrate a fort held by an army of renegades.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Speared by O'Rourke, a traitorous member of the Spanish Royal Irish Company, in Sharpe's Battle.
Leeroy Jenkins: In the television version of Sharpe's Battle, he bravely charges the French to protect the Irish Company and miraculously survives. Only for the Irish turncoat, O'Rourke, to run him through with a bayonet.
Playing Sick: When the Chosen Men infiltrate another fort to rescue Sharpe from Ducos, Perkins pretends to be a cholera infectee, complete with groaning.
Sacrificial Lion: The first Chosen Man to be confirmed as dead, dying about halfway through the series.
Sole Survivor: He's the only other member of the 95th Rifles, aside from the Chosen Men, to survive an ambush that wipes out the other 95th Rifles in Sharpe's Rifles.
Star-Crossed Lovers: With Miranda, a girl he rescued from pillaging French troops.
Together in Death: With Miranda. They're buried in the same grave.
Harper: Does anyone want to say anything?
Sharpe: Yes; he was a brave soldier... and she was his lass.

Allies-British Officers

The Duke of Wellington

Sir Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sharpes_wellington.jpg

Played By: David Troughton (Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Eagle), Hugh Fraser (Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Enemy, Sharpe's Honour, Sharpe's Gold, Sharpe's Battle, Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe's Mission, Sharpe's Waterloo, Sharpe's Challenge, Sharpe's Peril)

Appears In: Sharpe's Tiger (Novel only), Sharpe's Triumph (Novel only), Sharpe's Fortress (Novel only), Sharpe's Prey (Novel only), Sharpe's Rifles (TV only), Sharpe's Havoc (Novel only), Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Gold, Sharpe's Battle, Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Enemy, Sharpe's Honour, Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe's Mission (TV only), Sharpe's Waterloo, Sharpe's Assassin, Sharpe's Challenge (TV only)

Commander of the British and Portuguese forces in Spain and a reluctant patron of Sharpe.

Actually Pretty Funny: His reaction to some of Sharpe's antics, though he usually takes care not to show it to Sharpe himself. Most notably in Sharpe's Assassin after he successfully deduces that Sharpe shot the Prince of Orange - Orange having just got another battalion killed, Sharpe being suspiciously close by at the time (and a touch notorious for murdering other officers), and he backhandedly lets Sharpe know he that he knows (it's a fairly Open Secret, but nothing can be proved) and approves. However, this is also because it turned out non-lethal, just painful, getting a Spanner in the Works off the battlefield without permanent harm, whereas Sharpe was out to kill. In the same book, he finds Sharpe's threats to flog Morris if he flogs any of Sharpe's men somewhat amusing, though in public he warns Sharpe that if a Major (Morris) can be flogged, so can a Colonel (Sharpe).
Berserk Button: Do not try to shift blame with him. When Simmerson tries to blame a screwup of his on the recently-deceased Major Lennox, it results in Wellesley utterly reaming him.
Big Good: Most of Sharpe's orders come from him, partly because of his seniority, partly because he's just about the only person who can actually control Sharpe.
Chivalrous Pervert: His icy demeanour only tends to melt in the presence of attractive women - which is not especially surprising, since the real Duke of Wellington was a notorious flirt.
Deadpan Snarker: As in real life, he has a notoriously dry wit.
Lord Uxbridge: What plans do you have?
Wellington: Plans?
Lord Uxbridge: I am second-in-command, I ought to know!
Wellington: As soon as Napoleon Bonaparte tells me what he plans to do, then I shall know what I'm going to do, and I shall tell you. But as Bonaparte has not yet confided in me, I am unable to confide in you.
Do Wrong, Right: In Sharpe's Assassin he backhandedly lets Sharpe know that while he's letting the fiction lie, he knows perfectly well that Sharpe shot the Prince of Orange, and given that it was merely a painful injury that forced a Spanner in the Works off the battlefield, it was "a very good shot" (from a French skirmisher naturally) and he's very pleased.
The Dreaded:
- In Sharpe's Escape, Major Leroy points out that Wellington is perhaps the one man in the British Army (if not the world) capable of intimidating Sharpe.
- The French generals who have faced Wellington in the Peninsula, including Marshals Soult and Ney, all warn Napoleon not to underestimate him at Waterloo. He fails to listen.
Four-Star Badass: He doesn't often fight, but he can, and actually rather well. He's also willing to stray dangerously close to the French lines when needed, and remains icy calm. The latter, at least, is also something that Wellington was known for in real life.
Frontline General: He spends the entirety of Waterloo on horseback, riding up and down the line, well within range of the French artillery (his second-in-command, Lord Uxbridge, has his leg taken off by a cannonball while right next to him).
Good Is Not Nice: He's often abrupt, abrasive, and cold with those around him, including Sharpe - who he finds both immensely useful and a repeated pain in the neck owing to his tendency to, as Wellington puts it, "wage private wars behind my back!" He is also noted by Hogan as being the one man who genuinely scares Sharpe. However, he does have his kinder moments. In the book version of Sharpe's Battle he is perfectly willing to sacrifice Sharpe's career in order to get promoted to Generalissimo of Spanish forces. He does this not for his own glory, but because it's likely the only way to win the war, and is extremely sorrowful that he will have to "sacrifice the career of one bad officer (Runciman) and one good one."
Historical Domain Character: See The Duke of Wellington.
Implied Death Threat: After Simmerson tries to extort Wellington using his connections—despite Wellington having already reprimanded Simmerson only moments before for his cowardice—Wellington responds that Simmerson can choose between "[hiding] in England or [being] a hero in Spain".
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He's abrasive, but will stick his neck out to help Sharpe, if he can afford to, and is genuinely infuriated on Sharpe's behalf when he finds out that Sharpe's Captaincy hasn't stuck (again). However, this is partly because he regards Sharpe as useful, and he's also entirely willing to cut Sharpe loose if doing so is necessary. Sharpe, a Pragmatic Hero himself, tends not to take it personally.
Manipulative Bastard: Not above using emotional blackmail and other methods to get what he wants, such as bringing in the wife of a missing agent to guilt someone into taking on a job they have turned down.
Nerves of Steel: A trait appreciated by his troops as it instills them with confidence, and witnessed with some disbelief by his enemies.
"Not So Different" Remark: In the TV version of Sharpe's Enemy, he lays into Sir Augustus Farthingdale, who has dismissed the "threat" posed by Pot-au-Feu's "army" of deserters:
Mark me close, Colonel. What do you think the supreme virtue, sir? To the Frenchman and his recent revolution, it is liberty. To the Whig, puffing in Parliament, it is license to do anything, provided it does not disturb his pleasure. But to the common soldier, it is anarchy: to do whatever he wants and be damned to his fellows! But to me and Bonaparte, the supreme virtue is order. We are not Whigs. We know that a man may love his neighbor over Monday and massacre him over Tuesday, unless society keeps him in order! These deserters, if not secured and shot, will destroy my army more surely than Bonaparte...! And I'll thank you not to forget it.
Pet the Dog:
- In the books, at the end of Sharpe's Enemy, after Teresa's death, he takes a moment after Sharpe has reported to him to say, somewhat awkwardly, "All things pass."
- He also repeatedly does his best to give Sharpe a leg-up when he deserves it, or a shot at getting out of whatever trouble he's in this time, and in Sharpe's Assassin he uses his newfound influence to get Sharpe confirmed as a Lieutenant-Colonel (meaning that if he retires, he retires as a Lieutenant-Colonel, not as brevetted Lieutenant) and hints at opportunity in the peacetime army.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: Gives an epic one to Simmerson when the latter attempts to shift blame for losing the King's Colours, one of a regiment's standards, touched by King George's hand.
Simmerson: The fault was not mine sir. Major Lennox must answer.
Wellington: Major Lennox ANSWERED WITH HIS LIFE, as you should have done if you had any sense of honour! You lost the colours of the King of England. You disgraced us, sir, you've shamed us, sir! You will answer.
Right Man in the Wrong Place: Sharpe often reflects that the British Army has a positive genius for giving officers' commissions to inept bullies and cowards, but miraculously, almost by accident, has allowed the one man who knows how to beat the French to hold a general's rank, and even more miraculously, has entrusted that man with overall command of the Peninsular Army.
Seen It All: He makes a point of being unfazed by everything to calm his troops, but by Sharpe's Waterloo he's seen the high water mark of Sharpe's antics and mostly just finds them funny or exasperating (irritably noting that Rossendale's presence means that Sharpe is going to kill him).
Self-Made Man: Much like Sharpe, he started from the bottom and reached high rank, earning him no end of contempt from his peers. Of course 'bottom' was a relative term - while he wasn't born into the very highest ranks of the aristocracy, he was still an aristocrat. His high-flying career was only possible because of his aristocratic origins and connections. Nobody not born into the gentry could ever hope to attain commands such as those Wellesley was given, and the only thing that truly distinguished Wellesley from other noblemen given command as a favour rather than on merit was that he proved to have actual talent when it came to command.
Technician vs. Performer: Described, pretty accurately, as a cold and ruthlessly efficient Technician, in comparison to the usual Performer flair of Napoleon and his marshals, with one French observer comparing the two as being like ice and fire. In Sharpe's Enemy, he ruefully says to Sharpe that the British public must think he enjoys war, or at least the glory that comes with being England's most successful general, but to him it is nothing more than a necessary job, "like being a street-sweeper."

Hogan

Major Michael Hogan

"Stop showing off, Sharpe."

Played By: Brian Cox

Appears In: Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Havoc (Novel only), Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Gold (Novel only), Sharpe's Battle (Novel only), Sharpe's Company (Novel only), Sharpe's Sword (Novel only), Sharpe's Enemy (Novel only), Sharpe's Honour (Novel only), Sharpe's Regiment (Novel only), Sharpe's Siege (Novel only)

Wellesley's aide and liaison with Sharpe. A middle-aged, snuff-addicted Irishman in the Royal Engineers who introduces Sharpe into the murky world of politics and espionage.

The Chessmaster: As Wellington's spy master, this is his usual job. Most notable, he arranges for Sir Henry Simmerson to botch a mission at Val de la Casa in Sharpe's Eagle.
Demoted to Extra: In the TV series, he disappears after Sharpe's Eagle, to be replaced by Nairn, Munroe and Ross.
The Disease That Shall Not Be Named: Falls ill with some sort of dangerous fever in Sharpe's Siege and manages to fight through the delirium to convey important information to Sharpe on his sickbed. Sharpe sheds Manly Tears when he later learns the fever proved fatal.
Double Meaning: What he said Wellington told him about Sir Henry Simmerson. "'Hogan', says he, 'the South Essex is a sight to make you shiver.'" (Well shiver because they're woefully incompetent until Sharpe gets there).
Functional Addict: Is seen taking snuff quite frequently, but is unimpeded by its use.
Obfuscating Stupidity: He feigns ignorance and appears dim-witted to lull his enemies into a false sense of security.
Oireland: Considers himself, Wellesley and Harper to be the three Irish men standing between Bonaparte and Britain.
Spared by the Adaptation: Another case of the actor leaving the show before their character appeared in the story in which they would've passed away.

Dunnett

Major Warren Dunnett

Played By: Julian Fellowes

Appears In: Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Waterloo (Novel only)

Sharpe's first commanding officer.

Character Death: Cut down by Colonel D'Eclin in an ambush in the TV adaptation.
Death by Adaptation: The books version is captured in an ambush and later reappears for Sharpe's Waterloo. Here, he is cut down by D'Eclin and dies on the spot.
Fat Idiot: In the TV series, Dunnett is rather heavyset and sets up his camp in an open field, which becomes a great spot for an ambush. The book version is thinner and rather more competent.
Upper-Class Twit: Dunnett is the first of many snobbish commanding officers Sharpe has to contend with.

Murray

Captain John Murray

Played By: Tim Bentinck

Appears In: Sharpe's Rifles

Executive Officer to Major Dunnett and second in command of the Rifle company. While Dunnett treats Sharpe with contempt due to the junior officer's being made up from the ranks, Captain Murray immediately recognizes Sharpe's bravery and battlefield skill and respects him as one of their own. The reverence with which Harper and the others talk about him indicates a mutual respect between Murray and the enlisted men.

A Father to His Men: Murray is highly respected by the men under his command. He seems to care about them, even though he is a gentleman and they are working-class commoners. When Murray dies, the rest try to desert.
Almost Dead Guy: How we see Murray for most of his on-screen time. He spends his dying moments passing on advice to Sharpe, who is severely out of his element as an officer brought up from the ranks, on how to lead his men like an officer should. He then passes on his sword, says his last words, and dies with a final gasp.
The Captain: Even though he is junior to Dunnett, Murray clearly is the more competent and well-behaved officer.
Character Death: Slashed across the chest during the French attack that virtually wipes out the rest of Sharpe's company. He dies soon afterwards.
Cool Sword: Carries a 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword, which he later passes on to Sharpe.
Murray: I want you to have my sword. Maybe if the men see you carrying it…
Sharpe: They'll think I'm a proper officer?
Murray: No. They'll think I liked you. 
Last Words: "Bloody silly place to die."
Number Two: As executive officer, he is considered this to Dunnett.
Officer and a Gentleman: In the most British sense of the word. Murray is of the upper-class and knows that Sharpe is not, but tries to encourage Sharpe to not let social status get in the way of good leadership.
Murray: Don't be too hard on the men, Sharpe. How can I say this without offense? You see, the lads don't like an officer who comes from the ranks. They want an officer to be privileged, to be set apart from them. Touched by grace. They think of you as one of them, as one of the damned.
Sorry That I'm Dying: Murray says almost this exact thing to Sharpe.
Murray: Sorry to be so much trouble.
Take Up My Sword: Gives his sword to Sharpe while dying of his wounds.

Nairn

Major Nairn

"You're a soldier, aren't you? Of course you're expendable!"

Played By: Michael Byrne

Appears In: Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Enemy, Sharpe's Honour (TV only), Sharpe's Regiment (Novel only), Sharpe's Revenge (Novel only)

Dour, Scottish and secretive, another one of Wellington's spymasters.

Composite Character: Takes Major Hogan's role in Sharpe's Company and Sharpe's Honour.
Death Faked for You: Fakes Sharpe's death in Sharpe's Honour so he can investigate La Marquesa's claims.
Major Injury Underreaction: In Sharpe's Revenge, Nairn is injured by a canister shot. He claims he has only been hit in the leg and instructs Sharpe to lead the brigade forward. Only later does Sharpe learn the canister had fatally pierced Nairn's lung.
Oh, Crap!: In Sharpe's Enemy when he learns Ducos is operating in the area of Adrados because he knows that Ducos is trouble.
Spared by the Adaptation: Once again, the character survives the television series by simply not turning up in the story they otherwise would've died in.

Frederickson

Captain William Frederickson

"I'm not smiling, sir. A musket ball broke my jaw. I have false teeth. The sawbones stuck on the smile for free, sir."

Played By: Philip Whitchurch

Appears In: Sharpe's Enemy, Sharpe's Honour, Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe's Mission (TV only), Sharpe's Revenge

Older and grittier than Sharpe, Frederickson commands the Royal American Rifles, a unit raised in America and left over from the Revolutionary War, with only one actual American, Thomas Taylor, left among their ranks.

Cultured Warrior: Frederickson has some pretty solid badass credentials, none of which are diminished in the slightest by his tendency to seek out Spanish churches to admire the architecture, sketch the landscapes they are marching through in pencil and read every poem in his immediate vicinity.
- In the TV adaptation of Sharpe's Revenge, he stands up as Sharpe's lawyer before a French tribunal, explaining in an undertone that a soldier gave him a law book to wipe his ass with, but he decided to read it instead.
Eyepatch of Power: Wears an eyepatch over his left eye, which appears to be dead.
Facial Horror: "I'm not smiling, sir. A musket ball broke my jaw. I have false teeth. The sawbones stuck on the smile for free, sir."
Game Face: When fighting, he removes his false teeth, wig and eyepatch.
Genius Bruiser: Frederickson is a capable combatant and military leader, and deliberately cultivates his fearsome appearance. He is also fluent in German and conversant in French and Spanish, an aspiring lawyer and a great lover of art, poetry and architecture, and spends his time off making landscape sketches in pencil and discussing politics with American expats and French prisoners.
Ironic Nickname: "Sweet William".
- Genius Bonus: To add a layer to the irony "Sweet William" is a stock character from English folk ballads, who is generally about equal parts a male version of The Ingenue and the innamorato from Commedia dell'Arte... none of which is applicable to Captain Frederickson.
Nightmare Fuel Station Attendant: Facial injuries aside, he collects perfect teeth from French dead, and plans to have a full set made.
Politically Incorrect Hero: Described as a misogynist, even by the standards of the time, though it's downplayed, as we rarely actually see him interact with women (he usually appears on the front-line). He does actually fall for a woman, Lucille, eventually - though women are rarely charmed by A Credit To Your Race attitudes and she likes Sharpe better.

Munro

Major Mungo Munro

"You're not to enquire what I've been doing since we've last met because it's secret."

Played By: Hugh Ross

Appears In: Sharpe's Gold (TV only), Sharpe's Battle (TV only), Sharpe's Sword (TV only)

A heavily-accented Scottish spymaster for Wellington

Anything but That!: His offer to play the bagpipes for Sharpe results in Sharpe requesting a dangerous mission instead.
Canon Foreigner: Unlike the spymasters from the first two seasons, he is entirely original to the TV series.
Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: Like most of the series' spymasters, he disappears after a single season.
Deadpan Snarker: Pretty much his standard form of communication, especially with Sharpe.
"I could use words like dire and dreadful but I wouldna want to cheer you up."
Dreadful Musician: He proudly declares he's never had a bagpipe lesson in his life. Anyone that hears him play can well believe it.
Ear Worm: His pipe major uses earplugs to avoid having to listen to his music.
Evil Laugh: He has a tendency to give these whenever amused, notably when realising he's sending regicide Sharpe to train a royal guard.
Manipulative Bastard: His plans often end up putting Sharpe in harm's way to achieve a goal, notably when he posts him to train the Real Irlandesa Compania within easy reach of Sharpe's latest enemy Brigadier-General Loup.
Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: He probably has the most abrasive relationship with Sharpe of any of Wellington's spymasters, which is quite an achievement given how many clashes Sharpe has with them.
Troll: Colonel Runciman insists that being Wagonmaster-General means he should be addressed as "General". Munro calls him "Wagonmaster" instead.

Kiely

Colonel Lord Benedict, Earl of Kiely

Played By: Jason Durr

Appears In: Sharpe's Battle

A young aristocrat in command of the Royal Irish Company of Spain.

Adaptational Heroism: He's much more heroic (and likeable) in the TV version than his book counterpart (who, notably, is not married; and, rather than the TV version's Redemption Equals Death, is instead Driven to Suicide).
Colonel Badass: Kiely has the rank of colonel and he is a deadly combatant.
Dies Differently in Adaptation: He gets taken from behind by Loup and fatally stabbed in contrast to committing suicide in the book.
Duel to the Death: His first combat scene involves challenging one of Loup's men to single combat, which Kiely wins.
Good Old Ways: Kiely is a strong believer in the glory of past wars and even dresses like a walking portrait of a decorated war hero.
Honor Before Reason: Duels one of Loup's men in single combat, and refuses to strike the killing blow when he has the advantage.
Kick the Dog: He's quite a Jerkass to his loyal wife, upbraiding her for her response to an insult made by Juanita, and blaming her for the death of their child.
- He immediately changes his tune when he learns that she is pregnant.
Last of His Kind: He is the last to bear the name of Kiely:
"I am the last of my blood, Sharpe. When I die, the name dies with me."
- The news of his wife's pregnancy subverts this.
Master Swordsman: Unlike your average Neidermeyer, Kiely is a highly effective swordsman.
Nobility Marries Money: His wife had money, he had the title.
Skilled, but Naive: Is a very capable fighter, but is untested in the field and cites the romanticised battles of legend, which sets him at odds with Sharpe. However, he grows quickly to see Sharpe as the expert and defers to him accordingly.
Stay in the Kitchen: He is shocked by his wife loading and handing out rifles to the Royal Irish Company soldiers.
Kiely: Good God! What the hell does she think she's doing?
Sharpe: Being a good wife. I don't see the Dona Juanita getting her hands dirty, do you?

Runciman

Colonel Claude Runciman

Played By: Ian McNeice

Appears In: Sharpe's Battle

An ex-general and officer appointed by Wellington to accompany the Royal Irish Company and liaise between Sharpe and Kiely.

Authority in Name Only: It's clear that unlike Sharpe and Lord Kiely, Runciman doesn't command any real authority over the men and is just along for the ride - a situation with which he's perfectly comfortable.
Big Eater: To the point where other soldiers actually take bets on how much he can eat.
Cowardly Lion: While he doesn't actually reach the frontlines, Sharpe manages to rouse his courage to make a very risky move with the Royal Irish Company (or, to be more accurate, let Sharpe do it), on the grounds that they're in deep trouble but glory pays for all.
Fat Bastard: Averted. Runciman is more or less harmless, pleasant enough to be around, and fairly well-meaning, which leads to Sharpe taking an odd liking to him. Granted, it helps that his fairly mild nature makes him easy for Sharpe to manipulate to his own ends, but even still.
Frontline General: Tries to be this, insisting that, as a general, he has to lead the men in battle. He only heads to bed when Sharpe promises to wake him.
Gasshole: "'Let the effusions out', Sharpe. That's what my doctor says."
Glory Days: Used to be Wagonmaster General, and is ready to remind you of that.
Heavy Sleeper: Manages to sleep through a battle.
Hidden Depths: He reveals with disarming honesty that unlike most less than competent officers, he's not a Miles Gloriosus - he'd like glory, but he has no illusions about the fact that he's not a brave warrior like Sharpe, and he is very relieved (and downright delighted) to be retiring with a Barony.
Insistent Terminology: Prefers to be addressed as General Runciman, rather than Colonel. Sharpe uses this to manipulate him.
Nice Guy: Somewhat. He's generally fairly harmless, Politically Incorrect Hero moments aside, and seems to genuinely respect Sharpe's abilities. Sharpe comes to like him well enough that he does what he can to try and protect him from being used as a scapegoat in Sharpe's Battle - though it helps that the method through which he does so serves Sharpe's ends as well.
Politically Incorrect Hero: Holds a very low opinion of the Irish - which was pretty common at the time.
"[The Irish] don't understand their own good luck. I mean, we go and we sort out their country, and all they do is froth at the maw and throw brickbats at us. I mean, there's no gratitude, Sharpe. None, but still, we have to be diplomatic. We have to treat these chaps as if they were English. Well, almost English."
Rank Up: After the events of Sharpe's Battle, he is given the title of Baron.

Spears

Lord Captain Jack Spears

"I've impressed the great Sharpe, how wonderful!"

Played By: James Purefoy

Appears In: Sharpe's Sword

Handsome, devil-may-care reckless fool, Jack Spears is one of the few officers who genuinely befriends Sharpe as an equal. Spears has a title, but no money, so he does not see himself as any better than Sharpe, and Sharpe respects Jack's bravery as an Exploring Officer, riding behind enemy lines in full uniform so as not to be mistaken as a spy.

An Arm and a Leg: In the television adaptation, Spears is missing his left arm, rather than having merely injured it.
Being Tortured Makes You Evil: In the television series, LeRoux tortured him into betraying England.
Bludgeoned to Death: At the end of his suicidal charge, the French beat him to death.
Death Seeker: It becomes apparent his reckless acts of bravery are actually suicide attempts over his guilt at betraying England to LeRoux
Handicapped Badass: Spears can still handle himself in a fight despite missing an arm.
Leeroy Jenkins: His establishing scene has him riding out to fight a French company, flashing his sabre.
Redemption Equals Death: In the TV series, after learning of his treachery, Sharpe gives him a chance to regain his honor via a suicidal charge that will raise morale. Spears accepts the challenge.
- Invoked in the novel, with Spears behaving recklessly and riding into the suicidal charge in attempts to redeem himself for betraying England. Ironically, Spears actually survives the suicidal charge in the novel and is confronted with his treachery by Sharpe afterwards. Spears asks Sharpe to kill him and tell everyone he died a hero, which Sharpe acquiesces to.

Prince George

George Augustus Frederick, Prince Regent of the House of Hanover

Played By: Julian Fellowes

Appears In: Sharpe's Regiment

The heir to the British Empire and an admirer of Sharpe's exploits. Sharpe is summoned to attend him during his investigations for the missing reinforcements.

Adipose Rex: His corpulent figure is in keeping with his historical size circa 1813.
The Ghost: He is first mentioned in a letter read in Sharpe's Enemy.
Hero-Worshipper: To Sharpe, expressing his delight in meeting the Hero of Talavera.
Historical Domain Character: See The House of Hanover.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: While he is not above mild ribbing at Sharpe's expense, he has nothing but admiration for him, and is delighted to act as his patron from time to time.
Manchild: He never had to mature and still has childish fantasies about being a great frontline general, which is made worse by the fact that brown nosers play along with him. Also, he petulantly keeps track of how many regiments bear his name and gloats whenever he sees a soldier wearing his white feathers.
Miles Gloriosus: He's implied to be mildly delusional. Despite never having set foot on a battlefield, he claims responsibility to great exploits and victories even in front of the very men who actually achieved them. Many encourage this, because they're licking his boots. Those who aren't actively toadying still play along because it doesn't hurt to have the Prince Regent's favor.
Prince Regent: We were enveloped in flames! Were we not, Dick? Oh, that bloody day!
Rossendale: He, uh, thinks he was there. Let him.
Sharpe: We were, sir. Enveloped in flames.
Prince Regent: [Gesturing towards his head] Every detail etched!

Pyecroft

Major Septimus Pyecroft

Played By: Nigel Betts

Appears In: Sharpe's Mission (TV only)

A skilled demolitions expert, Septimus Pyecroft who takes an Exploring Officer position following a serious disfiguring injury. It is on one such exploration that he happens upon Zara, the only survivor of an attacked gypsy family.

An Arm and a Leg: His left forearm ends in a hook hand.
Canon Foreigner: Sharpe's Mission was an original teleplay, not based on any original novel.
Demolitions Expert: This was his role before the accident. Wellington recruits him to fulfil it again.
Due to the Dead: Buries Zara's parents and commends them to the Lord.
In the Hood: He wears a leather cowl to cover his burns.
Jack Bauer Interrogation Technique: He manages to coerce Pope into spilling Colonel Brand's plan to capture Ross by depositing a pouch of blast powder on him with a lit fuse eight minutes long.
Sadistic Choice: How Wellington recruits him; either help demolish the French powder magazine or be sent back to England, where children can point and stare at him. Pyecroft chooses the former.
We Used to Be Friends: Was close friends with Major General Ross before the accident that burned him, for which he blames Ross. They reconcile in the end.

South Essex Regiment

An infantry regiment that Sharpe and the Chosen Men are assigned to in Sharpe's Eagle.

Lawford

Lieutenant Colonel William Lawford

Played By: Martin Jacobs, Benedict Taylor

Appears In: Sharpe's Tiger (Novel only), Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Regiment

An elegant dandy, monied, fashionable, aristocratic and able to buy his promotions, William Lawford represents everything Sharpe hates about the British Army and the officer class. Except Sharpe likes his superior officer very much, and the feeling is quite mutual. Complete opposites, they forged a friendship that surpassed rank and class while stuck together in adversity in India on a mission to rescue Lawford's uncle, Hector McCandless. Sharpe kept Lawford alive and Lawford taught Sharpe how to read and write, using only one page of the bible while in the dungeons of the Tippoo.

An Arm and a Leg: Sharpe cuts off Lawford's arm to save his life in Sharpe's Company.
Bash Brothers: With Sharpe, to an extent as Colonel of the South Essex - while Harper tends to be by Sharpe's side in the actual fighting (though Lawford can and does fight), the two work together smoothly, on the grounds that they trust each other implicitly.
The Bus Came Back: In Sharpe's Regiment. He's an accidental impediment, but he is still trying to help and protect Sharpe. Essentially, he takes the evidence that Sharpe has of the Big Bad's fraud at the expense of the South Essex, takes it to said Big Bad and offers to make it disappear... in exchange for Sharpe getting a Colonelcy in the American Rifles.
Captain Smooth and Sergeant Rough: The Captain Smooth to Sharpe's Sergeant Rough. This dynamic continues even though each rises past captain and sergeant, and suits them both perfectly - Lawford handles the politics (his ultimate ambition is to be a successful politician), and gives Sharpe free rein on the military side of things. In turn, Sharpe teaches Lawford how to be a soldier, and Lawford teaches the illiterate Sharpe how to read and write (required to be a commissioned officer in the British army) and something about politicking.
Hidden Depths: As early as his first appearance, he proves to be an adept marksman.
Odd Friendship: With Sharpe, given their completely different social classes. They are very, very close, however, and Sharpe is highly grateful to Lawford for teaching him how to read.
Plot-Triggering Death: More like Plot-Triggering Career-Ending Injury; the loss of his arm at the beginning of Sharpe's Company means that another commanding officer and subordinates need to be found... which leads to Obadiah Hakeswill reentering Sharpe's life.
Put on a Bus: In Sharpe's Company, thanks to losing his arm.
You Are a Credit to Your Race: Lawford and Sharpe have a lot of respect for each other despite Lawford having a lot of things that Sharpe despises about the upper class, and Sharpe being a rough-hewn gutter-rat.

Lennox

Major Lennox

Played By: David Ashton

Appears In: Sharpe's Eagle

An old friend of Sharpe's who is one of the officers of the South Essex Regiment when Sharpe and the Chosen Men are assigned to it.

Brave Scot: An honorable, effective Scottish officer.
Brutal Honesty: He spares no words to Sharpe over what kind of commander Sir Henry Simmerson is.
Lennox: But thank you for reminding me I was a damn good soldier. Now, wipe your boots. I'll take you to meet a damn bad one.
Died in Your Arms Tonight: Dies in Ensign Denny's arms while talking to Sharpe.
Killed Off for Real: Cut down by French cavalry at the bridge at Valdelacasa.
Last Request: Asks Sharpe to seize an Imperial Eagle from the French Army to make up for losing the King's Colours.
Offscreen Moment of Awesome: Sharpe describes how he managed to rally a regiment to victory in India.
Old Soldier: He's the only member of Simmerson's staff who is a veteran.
Only Sane Man: Until his death a little more than halfway through Sharpe's Eagle.
Retirony: He was retired. Then his wife died, he had nothing else but the army and the South Essex was all he could get. Halfway through the episode, he is killed by French soldiers at Valdelacasa.
The Scapegoat: Attempted. Simmerson tries to pin the blame on Lennox for losing the King's Colours; since Lennox is dead, he can't defend himself. Since he was trying this on Wellington, who is nobody's fool and in a thoroughly foul mood to begin with, this goes poorly.

Leroy

Captain Thomas Leroy

Played By: Gavan O'Herlihy

Appears In: Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Company (Novel only), Sharpe's Honour (Novel only)

The son of an American Loyalist, Leroy has made his fortune in the slave trade, purchased a captain's commission in the South Essex.

Boom, Headshot!: Takes a bullet to the head charging the French barricade in Sharpe's Honour.
Cigar Chomper: Fittingly, often seen smoking cigars as opposed to the traditional British pipe.
Deadpan Snarker: When the Chosen Men jog ahead of the South Essex.
Sir Henry: What the blazes?!
Leroy: Quick time, sir. The Rifle Regiment only has two marches, quick time and dawdle.
Deliberate Values Dissonance: His family traded slaves, something he saw no problem continuing. Sharpe calls him on it.
- This is a bit of Truth in Television as the average Englishman (such as Sharpe) at this time were deeply hostile to the slave trade (which by this point had been outlawed in Britain).
Demoted to Extra: In the books, Leroy appears in Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Company, and Sharpe's Honour where he is killed. In the TV series, he doesn't reappear after Sharpe's Eagle.
Everyone Has Standards: Disapproves of Simmerson's flogging of white men, only for Simmerson to shout him down.
Good Ol' Boy: Leroy hits all the marks, being a conservative military man from the Deep South. However, being shifted back a few centuries, his attitudes are quite different from most examples of the trope.
Insistent Terminology: He is not American; he is Virginian.
Nostalgia Filter: Given that he would've been (at the oldest) a child when the Loyalists were expelled from the United States, his insistence on still being a "Virginian" (rather than an Englishman, which most Loyalists viewed themselves as) comes off a bit like this.
Spared by the Adaptation: Survives the television series (by virtue of not reappearing after his introductory story).
Token Enemy Minority: An American Loyalist officer in the British regular army at a time when England was still occasionally in direct conflict with the United States like The War of 1812. Though, since he specifically describes himself as being 'from Virginia' rather than America, he's not that much of an enemy.
What the Hell, Hero?: Calls Sharpe out for leading Ensign Denny deep into French lines, all just to capture an Eagle. Sharpe returns the favour by calling Leroy out on his slave trading.
You Are in Command Now: After Simmerson flees the battle and Sharpe gallivants on his own to capture the Imperial Eagle, Leroy takes charge of the rank-and-file himself.

Denny

Ensign Denny

Played By: Nolan Hemmings

Appears In: Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Company (Novel only)

The young Ensign and lowest ranking officer in the South Essex.

Died in Your Arms Tonight: Dies in Leroy's arms at the end of Sharpe's Eagle.
Ensign Newbie: Very much so. And the first of several for the series.
Hero-Worshipper: Admires Sharpe and follows him and the Chosen Men and they appreciate him in return. He follows them when they go to seize the Imperial Eagle. This doesn't end well for him.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Bayoneted by a French soldier toward the end of the Battle of Talavera.
These Hands Have Killed: Appears quite shocked after killing his first man at the bridge at Valdelacasa.

Dobbs

Played By: Paul Bigley

Appears In: Sharpe's Eagle

A soldier in the South Essex.

Fainting: The first time his name is mentioned onscreen, he's shown fainting from over-exertion from drilling in the blazing sun.
Mook: Essentially a heroic version of one and manages to survive the Battle of Talavera.
Post-Victory Collapse: After managing to fire off four shots in a minute, he collapses from fatigue and the effects of the 75 lashes he received that morning.
A Taste of the Lash: For losing consciousness, he is whipped 75 times.
What Happened to the Mouse?: Is never seen again after Sharpe's Eagle.

Price

Lieutenant Harry Price

Played By: Scott Cleverdon (Sharpe's Company), Nicholas Irons (Sharpe's Waterloo)

Appears In: Sharpe's Battle (Novel only), Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Sword (Novel only), Sharpe's Enemy (Novel only), Sharpe's Honour (Novel only), Sharpe's Regiment (Novel only), Sharpe's Waterloo

Harry is young, charming, and bored drunkard. Not entirely cut out for army life, Harry survives in a blur of wine, women and song and pure luck. Harry manages to be amusing and sort of makes himself the regimental mascot. Even Sharpe grew terribly fond of the lad and indulged him.

The Alcoholic: His first scene involves getting drunk during the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo.
Composite Character: In the TV series, he takes the role of Robert Knowles, Sharpe's comrade who is sent to rescue Teresa and Antonia and is shot dead by Hakeswill.
Demoted to Extra: A semi-regular character in the books, only appears in Sharpe's Company and possibly Sharpe's Waterloo.
One-Steve Limit: A rather bizarre aversion. The Price in Sharpe's Company is shot dead by Hakeswill, but a similarly named character appears in Sharpe's Waterloo, played by a different actor.

Matthews

Ensign William Matthews

Played By: William Mannering

Appears In: Sharpe's Company

16 years old with weeks of experience, young Matthews follows Sharpe and Price around like a puppy.

Child Soldier: The actor who played him was 17.
Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Blond and nothing but sweet-tempered.

Windham

Colonel Brian Windham

Played By: Clive Francis

Appears In: Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Sword (Novel only)

Lawford's successor as the Colonel of the South Essex.

Decomposite Character: Colonel Berkeley takes his place in Sharpe's Sword.
Demoted to Extra: Unlike his book counterpart who appears for another novel, he doesn't appear in the show after this point.
Foil: He and his younger friends Rymer and Jack Collet are ones for Simmerson, Gibbons and Berry. Unlike Simmerson, Gibbons and Berry, who used A Taste of the Lash with little practical use, Windham, Rymer, and Collet are nice enough fellows who don't really understand that they're leaving control of their ranks in the hands of a rape-happy psychopath like Obadiah Hakeswill. While Simmerson and Gibbons turn tail from battle (Berry is already dead), Windham, Rymer, and Collet try their best to lead from the front, with the latter two getting killed in the assault on Badajoz.
Happily Married: To his wife Jessica. He carries a silver-framed portrait of her wherever he goes.
Horrible Judge of Character: The man thinks Obadiah Hakeswill is a proper soldier. To be fair, as Sharpe notes, Hakeswill is very, very good at hiding what he is and acting the model Sergeant in the presence of officers, only revealing his true malice towards the ranks (and Sharpe).
The Neidermeyer: Subverted. He's set up to be this, another Unwitting Pawn of Hakeswill at best, but he's revealed to be stern but fair (and good at reading the metaphorical room), willing to admit his mistakes, and lets Sharpe handle the tactics after realising his value.
Smarter Than You Look: After demoting the framed Harper and ordering him flogged, he notices both that Harper is chatting with drummer boys through the flogging and that his decision has been met with a stony silence by the entire regiment. His response? To tell Harper he's a brave man and flick over a guinea as a reward for his courage, establishing him as stern, but fair. Sharpe is grudgingly impressed.
Spared by the Adaptation: Yet another character who survives the television series simply because he didn't show up in the adaptation of the story in which they died.
Unwitting Pawn: He winds up a pawn in Hakeswill's plot to discredit Sharpe and his Chosen Men.

Collett

Major Jack Collett

Played By: Robert Morgan

Appears In: Sharpe's Compny

An officer who joins the South Essex with Windham.

Number Two: To Windham, especially in the televised version where he is the battalion's only major.
Officer and a Gentleman: Unlike the first complement of South Essex officers, Collett is unfailing polite and civil to Sharpe despite being bemused at a fellow officer raised from the ranks.
Sacrificial Lion: He's among the casualties of the attack on Badajoz.
Unknown Rival: In the novel, his arrival with the battalion sees Leroy lose the vacant majority. He doesn't seem to be aware of this.

Clayton

Played By: Peter Gunn

Appears In: Sharpe's Escape (Novel only), Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Waterloo (Novel only),

A soldier in the South Essex. Has a wife named Sally and two children.

Action Dad: A soldier with two children.
Boom, Headshot!: Shot in the head while storming the breach at Badajoz.
Death by Adaptation: The books' version of Clayton manages to survive all the way to Sharpe's Waterloo. Here, he is killed at Badajoz.
Good with Numbers: Also employed as a bookkeeper and helps Sharpe with math.
Hidden Depths: He's one of the few rank-and-file soldiers who can read.
No Full Name Given: Only ever known as Clayton.
Ugly Guy, Hot Wife: Clayton isn't particularly attractive, but his wife Sally is regarded as the prettiest wife in the regiment. This latter part is to both their detriment since his wife's looks puts them both in Obadiah Hakeswill's sights.

D'Alembord

Captain Peter D'Alembord

"Honour, my dear Sharpe, is just a word behind which we hide our sins."

Played By: Edward Atterton

Appears In: Sharpe's Honour, Sharpe's Regiment (Novel only), Sharpe's Revenge (Novel only), Sharpe's Waterloo (Novel only)

Dally is a handsome yet foppish young man who doesn't really seem suited to the army, yet there he is, sitting out a scandal in England that occurred as the result of a duel.

Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: He looks like a harmless, foppish aristocrat, but he's actually a very good fighter.
Demoted to Extra: Only appears in Sharpe's Honour in the TV series, while he appears in three other novels.
Everyone Has Standards: He does not approve of Sharpe's fighting methods.
D'Alembord: This isn't a duel, it's a brawl!
Heritage Disconnect: When he appears at the Duchess of Richmond's ball in Waterloo, a Belgian noblewoman (who, like many Belgian residents, considers herself French and loyal to Bonaparte) hears his French name and accuses him of disloyalty. He retorts that his family were Huguenots, and "La Belle France" made clear, in the nastiest possible way, that they were not welcome there.

Foreign Allies

Blas Vivar

Major Blas Vivar, Count of Matamores

Played By: Simon Andreu

Appears In: Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Devil (Novel only)

Enigmatic, deeply religious and deeply loyal to Spain, Vivar continues to fight the French after the defeat of Spain as a partisan.

The Bus Came Back: First appears in Sharpe's Rifles (chronologically the sixth book) and doesn't reappear until Sharpe's Devil (chronologically the twenty-fifth and final book).
The Captain: Takes this role, successfully enthralling the Chosen Men - who don't yet like the newly promoted Sharpe very much. Seeing this, he mentors Sharpe in becoming this in his own right, explaining the three rules he sets his men, which Sharpe successfully modifies for his own use.
If You Ever Do Anything to Hurt Her...: Warns Sharpe not to break Teresa's heart.
La Résistance: Leader (alongside Teresa) of a group of partisans close to Casa Antigua and Torrecastro.
The Mentor: To Sharpe. He's important enough to him that Sharpe is stirred out of retirement in Normandy to go all the way to Chile to rescue him in Sharpe's Devil (though the reward Vivar's wife, another old friend, promises him is helpful - his farm does not pay for itself and, in Sharpe's own words, "French taxes are bloody evil").
Rebel Leader: The leader of a partisan group in Spain.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: He's on the Romanticism side, with a strong belief in God and prophecy. This is portrayed positively during his first appearance, at least by contrast with the French, then more ambiguously in Sharpe's Devil (while he is still a positive character, Sharpe finds himself sympathising with the rebels against Spanish rule in South America).

Dubreton

Chef du Battalion (Colonel) Michel Dubreton

Played By: Francois Guetary

Appears In: Sharpe's Enemy

A French Colonel whose wife is captured by the group of deserters led by Pot-Au-Feu and Obadiah Hakeswill.

*Click* Hello: Greets Hakeswill with a cocked pistol as Hakeswill tries to rape Lady Farthingdale.
Colonel Badass: Holds the rank of Colonel and can hold his own against Sharpe.
Do with Him as You Will: Hands Hakeswill over to Sharpe after Hakeswill murders Teresa.
Exact Words: When he corners Hakeswill and threatens to send him to Sharpe if the latter kills his hostage, Hakeswille almost immediately surrenders, pleading with Dubreton to do with him as he will but not send him to Sharpe. However, when Hakeswille asks him for reassurance that Dubreton will keep his word, Dubreton venomously reminds him that he could do with him as he wills, and he will do exactly that. Dubreton is next seen delivering the captured Hakeswille to Sharpe.
Enemy Mine: Teams up with Sharpe against Pot-Au-Feu and Hakeswill.
Friendly Enemy: Dubreton and Sharpe get along famously, and when they do fight, it's Nothing Personal. Hell, he even gets on with Teresa, who hates Frenchmen, and is feared and hated by many of them in turn.
Happily Married: To his wife Sarah. He brings the ransom for her himself, and would gladly storm the place where she's being held, save that his superiors won't allow him to risk so much for his British wife.

Curtis

Father Curtis, aka El Mirador

Played By: John Kavanagh

Appears In: Sharpe's Sword

This crafty little priest is Wellington's number one spy in Spain. Curtis fought with Spain against the British, but now fights with Britain and Spain against France.

Adaptational Badass: He's no slouch in the books as Wellington's spy, but in the TV series he's also an excellent swordsman.
Badass Preacher: A Catholic priest, a spymaster, and in the TV series, an excellent duelist.
Blood Knight: After all these years, he still enjoys a good duel and is disappointed by Sir Henry Simmerson.
Curtis: God forgive me, but I wish it had lasted longer.
Bully Hunter: Invoked. In the TV series, he defends Sharpe's love interest from the lecherous advances of Sir Henry Simmerson. Simmerson asks why the priest would care, since as an Irishman he should hate the English and support the French.
John Bull's a bad neighbor, but Bonaparte's a bully, and so are you.
Cool Old Guy: He may be past his fighting days, but that doesn't mean he can't duel.
Fighting Irish: "I'm Irish. John Bull's a bad neighbor, but Bonaparte's a bully, and so are you."
Living MacGuffin: He is El Mirador, the number-one person on Napoleon Bonaparte's hit list.
The Spymaster: Wellington's best spy in Spain.

Sharpe's Women

Teresa Moreno

Commandante Teresa Moreno

Played By: Assumpta Serna

Appears In: Sharpe's Rifles (TV only), Sharpe's Eagle (TV only), Sharpe's Gold (Novel only), Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Sword (Novel only), Sharpe's Enemy

A Spanish partisan (guerilla) and assassin who is Sharpe's first wife.

Action Girl: A Rebel Leader of partisans who can keep up with the Chosen Men.
Adaptational Early Appearance: Due to the books being adapted out of order, she makes her debut in Sharpe's Rifles, as opposed to Sharpe's Gold.
Attempted Rape: Twice by Hakeswill in Sharpe's Company. She nearly guts him the first time. The second time, he has her daughter at bayonet point, and is only thwarted by Harper playing with his warped mind.
Bayonet Ya: Carries two pistols with spring-loaded bayonets.
Commanding Coolness: Her title is Commandante.
Cruel and Unusual Death: Hakeswill shoots her and it takes her a while to die in Sharpe's Enemy.
Death Seeker: Described by Major Vivar that she rides, hating the French, and "hopes to die." Sharpe manages to take this part away.
Heroic Sacrifice: In the TV series. Dies trying to stop Hakeswill from raping and murdering Isabella and distracts him long enough for Colonel Dubreton to catch up and stop Hakeswill.
I Have Your Wife: Her first scene with the Chosen Men involves taking Perkins hostage.
La Résistance: The head of one group of partisans in Spain.
Rape as Backstory: She was Forced to Watch the French rape and murder her mother, then they raped her too along with her sister.
Red Baron: Known as "The Needle". Don't ask why.
Running Gag: No one knows why she's called "The Needle." Considering her affinity for knives, no one really wants to know, either.
Tomboy and Girly Girl: She's the Tomboy to Josefina's Girly Girl in Sharpe's Eagle.
Your Mom: When she winds up in a fight with Hakeswill in Sharpe's Company, intentionally jumping up and down on his Berserk Button.
"Your mother was a whore who sold herself to a toad."

Countess Josefina

Josefina, Countess La Costa

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/josefina_lacosta_0.png

Played By: Katie Caballero

Appears In: Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Gold (Novel only), Sharpe's Enemy (Novel only)

A countess traveling with the South Essex Regiment. She is attached to Lieutenant Christian Gibbons, but is drawn to Sharpe.

Actually Pretty Funny: She's amused by the sight of Sharpe and the Chosen Men jogging past the South Essex.
Decomposite Character: Her character from the books is split into two: Josefina and Lady Isabella Farthingdale, who appears in Sharpe's Enemy.
Eating the Eye Candy: Visibly admires a shirtless Sharpe drilling his riflemen from afar.
Impoverished Patrician: It's mentioned that she's short on money and owes her maids two months's worth of wages.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: She is attached to Gibbons, but is drawn to Sharpe for his sense of honor and dependability. At the end of the episode, she ends up with Captain Leroy, who is just as honorable and dependable.
Tomboy and Girly Girl: The Girly Girl to Teresa's Tomboy in Sharpe's Eagle.

Lady Farthingdale

Lady Isabella Farthingdale

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/isabella_farthingdale.jpg

Played By: Elizabeth Hurley

Appears In: Sharpe's Enemy (TV only)

The wife of Sir Augustus Farthingdale, Lady Fartingdale is captured by an army of deserters led by Sharpe's Arch-Enemy Obadiah Hakeswill.

Decomposite Character: The books had her as Josefina, the Countess from Sharpe's Eagle. In the TV series, they're different characters.
Defiant Captive: Never stops trying to resist Hakeswill.
Gold Digger: A sympathetic example. She doesn't really care about her husband and thinks quite little of him for his cowardice. But it beats her previous job.
High-Class Call Girl: Lord Farthingdale married Isabella believing her to be the cousin of a duke, not learning until after they were married that she was actually a prostitute hired by said Duke.
Man Bites Man: Bites Hakeswill when he murders Teresa.
May–December Romance: Much younger than her husband. And it's not really a romance anyways.
Shameful Strip: Hakeswill forces her to pose topless for Sharpe when he comes to deliver the ransom. Sharpe being Sharpe, he calmly laces her shirt up.

La Marquesa

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/helene_leroux.png

Played By: Alice Krige

Appears In: Sharpe's Sword (Novel only), Sharpe's Honour

A half-English, half-French wife of an aristocrat who is made by Ducos to write a letter to her husband that Sharpe tried to force himself on her.

Arranged Marriage: Married her husband on Napoleon's orders.
Damsel in Distress: After Sharpe is hanged (he's really Faking the Dead), she is captured by El Matarife and imprisoned at the convent by Father Hacha. Then after Sharpe wins the Battle of Vitoria, El Matarife captures her again and it's over her that the Duel to the Death decides.
Dating Catwoman: With Sharpe, both of them using each other. Ultimately, neither takes it all that personally - the worst that happens is that she gets annoyed about his Honour Before Reason tendencies.
Nothing Personal: Her attitude to what she did to Sharpe in Sharpe's Honour - she didn't have much choice, and Sharpe doesn't take it personally.
Pet the Dog: Is genuinely sympathetic to Sharpe in Sharpe's Honour, consoling him over Teresa's death.
Really Gets Around: And not in the slightest bit ashamed of it, as she makes very clear to the Abbess when she escapes with Sharpe and Harper.
"I'm off to commit adultery, lots of it!"
The Smurfette Principle: She is the only female of Ducos' group.
Taking the Veil: More like "forced to take the veil" by El Matarife and Father Hacha.
Unrelated in the Adaptation: She's Colonel Leroux's sister in the books, but there's no relation between them in the TV show.

Ellie Nugent

Played By: Jayne Ashbourne

Appears In: Sharpe's Gold (TV only)

The daughter of Wellington's cousin Beth, who are visiting Wellington while looking for Ellie's father.

Damsel in Distress: Rescuing her is the object of the climax of the film.

Lady Kiely

Lucy, Lady Kiely

Played By: Allie Byrne

Appears In: Sharpe's Battle (TV only)

The wife of Lord Benedict, Earl of Kiely.

Canon Foreigner: Created for the TV version of Sharpe's Battle.
Defiant Captive: She repeatedly refuses Loup's advances, smashing a bottle over his head and threatens to slash her own throat if he tries to rape her.
Lady Kiely: You will not defile me, sir. On my child's life, you will not. I will do it, as God sees me.
Imperiled in Pregnancy: After Kiely learns she is pregnant, she is sent away from the fort, but is captured by traitorous members of the Irish Company so Loup can force Kiely to abandon Sharpe's men to die.
Outliving One's Offspring: She miscarried her first pregnancy some time ago and her husband can barely look her in the face after that.
Silk Hiding Steel: Lady Kiely may seem to be your average aristocrat's wife, but she's handy with a pistol and proves to be a Defiant Captive, as Loup found out the hard way.
Straight Man: Emotionally, she's stronger than her husband.

Lass

"Lass"

Played By: Emily Mortimer

Appears In: ''Sharpe's Sword (TV only)

Quiet and doll like, the novice is shocked into silence after witnessing the torture and murder of her priest and fellow nuns. She is found hiding in the woods by Sharpe and taken back to camp to be cared for by Ramona. Lass will not leave Sharpe's side and insists on sleeping with him, and finds herself unable to resist the temptation to touch his naked shoulder while he's trying to sleep.

Attempted Rape: Sir Henry Simmerson tries to have his way with her at the end of Sharpe's Sword, only to be stopped by Father Curtis.
Beware the Quiet Ones: She puts a coin down Simmerson's throat.
Canon Foreigner: She was created for the TV series.
Clothing Damage: Simmerson cuts up her clothes a little when he tries to rape her.
Heroic BSoD: Spends most of the episode in one after watching the death of the priest and nuns.
Only Known by Their Nickname: Only ever known as the "Lass."
Silk Hiding Steel: Surprisingly considering that she spends most of the film silent due to trauma. When Simmerson attempts to cow her into doing as he pleases she initially goes along with it just long enough to pull his own gun on him and march him out of the library room.

Jane Gibbons

Played By: Abigail Cruttenden

Appears In: Sharpe's Eagle (Mentioned in Novel only), Sharpe's Regiment, Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe's Mission (TV only), Sharpe's Revenge, Sharpe's Justice (TV only), Sharpe's Waterloo

Sir Henry Simmerson's niece and Christian Gibbons' sister. Sharpe later marries her. It ends badly.

Big Bad Ensemble: With Napoleon in Sharpe's Waterloo. Napoleon is the main French threat, she's the personal threat to Sharpe.
Diabolus ex Machina: The events of Sharpe's Revenge seem to happen as much to break Jane and Richard up as anything else. Very little in the previous stories foreshadows it (except for a con-man flirting with her in the TV only story Sharpe's Mission, and she still sides with her husband in the end), and she only takes a few weeks to go from being happily in love with Sharpe and looking forward to settling down with him, to being utterly terrified of him after he is framed as a murderous thief while finding time to spend his money and cheat on him with another man.
Domestic Abuse: Simmerson is shown just about to whip her during Sharpe's Regiment.
Face–Heel Turn: Turns from an ally of Sharpe's to an enemy. She was a Nice Girl, but a mixture of fear for Sharpe, chemistry with Lord Rossendale (who's genuinely trying to help her), and awareness that Sharpe's ultimate plans for his Call to Agriculture will leave her back in the same kind of back-country life she married him to escape lead to her leaving him. She actively becomes an enemy out of desperation, when she finds out that she's pregnant.
Lady Macbeth: In Sharpe's Waterloo you see a noticeable change in her outlook in regards to Sharpe. By the time of Sharpe's Waterloo, she's actively urging her lover to arrange Sharpe's death under the cover of battle. This is partly to do with the fact that she's pregnant, and since divorce isn't an option, she'll be ruined if he isn't out of the way for her to remarry.
Laser-Guided Karma: Sharpe publicly defames her as a whore, it's made pretty clear to her that her adultery with Rossendale has made her persona non gratis in high society (as soon as Wellington is informed of who she is, he immediately blanks her, despite his usual soft spot for women), and Rossendale's death at Waterloo leaves her an unmarried woman pregnant with an illegitimate child, not a good position for a woman to be in that time.
Sudden Sequel Heel Syndrome: For the most part, she and Sharpe are a happy couple before Sharpe's Revenge, and even then the worse she does at first is try to pull prank on him by leaving for England early to get back at him for not keeping a promise; once there though, she quickly gets manipulated into spending his money, then falls for rumours that he is a thieving murderer and then falls into paranoia that he'll try to kill her for sleeping with another man while she thought he was a condemned criminal, and before you know it she's plotting to kill him even after he's proven his innocence.
The Unfavorite: Simmerson treats her pretty badly compared to Christian.

Lucille

Madame Lucille Castineau, Vicomtesse de Seleglise, Lady Lassan

Played By: Cécile Paoli

Appears In: Sharpe's Revenge, Sharpe's Waterloo, Sharpe's Devil (Novel only)

A French widow who Sharpe meets in Sharpe's Revenge. Her first husband was a Captain in Napoleon's Imperial Guard Cavalry, who died in Russia. Deceived into believing Sharpe killed her brother, she tries to kill him. Later, they become lovers and she gives birth to his children Henri-Patrick and Dominique.

Adaptation Name Change: In the television movie adaptation of Sharpe's Revenge, she give her name as Madame DuBert and that her husband was killed at Talavera.
Death by Adaptation: In a departure from the novels, Lucille dies offscreen before Sharpe's Challenge. In Cornwell's spinoff series The Starbuck Chronicles, taking place during the American Civil War, Henri-Patrick says she is still alive, having outlived Sharpe.
Don't Call Me "Sir": Lucille never uses her title, considering it an artifact of the pre-Revolutionary period, and has always thought of her family and herself as rural farmers. Sharpe, by contrast, often makes a point of introducing her to visitors by her title, especially if these visitors are themselves aristocrats.
Florence Nightingale Effect: On Sharpe. He's not especially receptive at first, since she shot him to begin with, and even after they warm up to each other, both resist as they know he's married. When Harper returns with news that Jane is cheating on him, they give in.
Happily Ever After: Sharpe's Devil is the final book, which ends with Sharpe returning to his farm in France with his wife, Lucille, and reportedly living happily with her for the rest of his days.
I Am Not Pretty: Lucille has never understood why her first husband, Xavier, wanted to marry such a plain-looking girl, and she feels dowdy and out-of-place at the Duchess of Richmond's ball, especially when she catches sight of Jane. Sharpe later tells her that if Jane hadn't been so beautiful, he might have noticed sooner that she's rotten to the core and saved himself a lot of trouble.
Nice Girl: Generally kind, wise, and relatively mild - though she nearly kills Sharpe when they first meet, believing he killed her brother.

Antagonists - Imperial France

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon I, Emperor of the French

Played By: Ron Cook

Appears In: Sharpe's Honour (TV only), Sharpe's Waterloo, Sharpe's Devil (Novel only)

Emperor of the French and the overarching antagonist in the series.

Affably Evil: He's very charming, and gets on very well with Sharpe and Harper in Sharpe's Devil, chatting about their military days and being apparently genuinely delighted to have the stream of boring visitors present to gawk at the Emperor interrupted by two genuine badasses who he can respect. Of course, he also uses Sharpe as an unwitting mule for his message planning to arrange his escape.
Demoted to Extra: As Sharpe's Devil, where Sharpe meets him at St Helena, was never adapted, we only see a pair of short scenes, one consulting with Ducos, and of his return from exile. Finally, there’s a brief glimpse of him at Waterloo.
Greater-Scope Villain: To the entire series, and particularly Sharpe's Devil, where his plots to escape to South America and carve out an empire there set the entire plot in motion.
Historical Domain Character: See Napoléon Bonaparte.
The Unfought: At least not face-to-face; Sharpe only catches a brief glimpse of him at Waterloo. When they do meet in the books, in Sharpe's Devil, Bonaparte is a genial host to Sharpe (and not in good enough health to give the latter a fair fight anyway).

Colonel De L'Eclin

Colonel Pierre De L'Eclin

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pierre_de_leclin.png

Played By: Malcolm Jamieson

Appears In: Sharpe's Rifles

A French cavalry commander who is determined to keep the Spanish people rising up against the French.

Backstab Backfire: Tries to shoot Sharpe in the back, but is shot by Perkins.
Big Bad: The main antagonist of Sharpe's Rifles.
*Click* Hello: Greets Sgt. Williams with a cocked gun before the Man in Black strangles Williams.
Colonel Badass: De L'Eclin is a colonel and a deadly combatant with a sword.
Green and Mean: An antagonist who wears green.
Hero Killer: De L'Eclin is personally responsible for the deaths of the two senior officers in the 95th, Major Dunnett and Captain Murray.
Offstage Villainy: Sharpe and the Chosen Men find the aftermath of a village massacred by De L'Eclin and his men.

The Man in Black

Tomas Vivar

Played By: Anthony Hyde

Appears In: Sharpe's Rifles

A mysterious man in dark civilian clothing who is De L'Eclin's right-hand man.

Aristocrats Are Evil: Has a claim on the countship of Matamoros. As for the evil part, he participates in two massacres.
Bald of Evil: The hair's thinning on the top of his head and he's a bad guy.
Bond One-Liner: "Vale"^note Spanish for "okay" (after strangling Sgt. Williams).
Brutal Honesty: When he tells the two men with him to kill Harper, he's upfront with them that at least one of them will die.
Cain and Abel: With Major Blas Vivar. It's hard to tell which one's Cain and which one's Abel.
Dark Is Evil: Wears all black. Harper even remarks he looks like an undertaker. He also has a black horse.
Even Evil Has Standards: He's disgusted when Harper shoots one of his men in the throat, using a ramrod as a bullet.
Hat Damage: Harper shoots off his hat (and is later seen wearing it) after killing his two men when they come to take the chest.
Last Request: After getting stabbed by Vivar, he asks him to not have any priests at his funeral.
Only Known By His Nickname: He's credited as the Man in Black and referred to in-story as the Count of Matamores, a title he shares with his brother.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: He is on the Enlightenment side, with his vision of Spain a princely court with Napoleon Bonaparte as the "light of reason".
Villainous Legacy: In Sharpe's Devil, the plot begins because Napoleon and Lord Cochrane remembered him as an ally of Napoleon's, and mixed him up with his brother.

Ducos

Major Pierre Ducos

Played By: Féodor Atkine

Appears In: Sharpe's Battle (Novel only), Sharpe's Skirmish (Mentioned in Novel only), Sharpe's Enemy, Sharpe's Honour, Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe's Revenge

Aptly toad like, cold blooded, misogynistic and ruthless, Ducos is a political animal, having survived several changes of government by being a lying weasel and court toady.

Adapted Out: Loup and Juanita work for Ducos in the book version of Sharpe's Battle. In the episode, the plan is all Loup's.
Arch-Enemy: Does a good job of picking up the slack from Hakeswill after Hakeswill's execution in Sharpe's Enemy, and is a much more powerful enemy with far greater schemes. He is the force behind several other villains (especially in the novels) and he and Sharpe clash several times throughout the Peninsular War.
Big Bad Ensemble: In Sharpe's Enemy, he's the most pressing French antagonist, but Hakeswill and Pot-au-Feu are the main enemies to contend with during most of the episode.
Bond Villain Stupidity: Tells his whole plan to Sharpe while interrogating him in Sharpe's Honour.
Dies Differently in Adaptation: In the novel Sharpe's Revenge, he's executed via firing squad offscreen. In the film, Sharpe shoots him as he tries to escape.
Dirty Coward: Never confronts Sharpe if a) he doesn't have a goon squad to back him up or b) Sharpe isn't emotionally compromised. On the other hand, given that he's a Non-Action Guy and Sharpe is a One-Man Army, this is perhaps not so much cowardice as not being actively suicidal.
Disproportionate Retribution: His plan in Sharpe's Honour involves framing Sharpe for murder and getting him hanged, just because Sharpe broke his glasses. Which he did because Ducos insulted Teresa, Sharpe's wife, who had since been murdered.
Evil Counterpart: To Wellington's various spymasters, Major Nairn in particular. Nairn is particularly distressed to hear that Ducos is operating in an episode.
Fingore: On the receiving end in Sharpe's Revenge: having given Ducos a round beating, Sharpe tells Ducos to pick up his dropped glasses. Once Ducos has them in his hand, Sharpe stamps on it, and Ducos is left screaming in pain as his palm is cut to ribbons by the broken lenses.
Four Eyes, Zero Soul: Ducos wears glasses and is a nasty person.
Frame-Up: His main strategy against Sharpe, particularly in Sharpe's Honour and Sharpe's Revenge.
French Jerk: The prime example in the series, who looks down on everyone except whoever he's trying to impress. This is notable since most French officers Sharpe meets are at least Affably Evil and sometimes enter into an Enemy Mine situation if they have a common foe like Hakeswill or El Casco. Ducos is just a Jerkass.
The Friend Nobody Likes: To the French commanders in Sharpe's Enemy, and again in Sharpe's Siege.
Green and Mean: An antagonist and usually seen wearing dark green clothes.
In the Back: Shot in the back by French soldiers for his failure in Sharpe's Honour (though he survives). Sharpe snipes him in the back in Sharpe's Revenge and this time it finally sticks.
Lack of Empathy: When Sharpe asks him what Dubreton, whose wife is held captive, should do, Ducos replies "Find another" and threatens to force Sharpe to do the same if Teresa is caught.
Never My Fault:
- Ducos is angry at Sharpe for breaking his glasses, but doesn't recognize the fact that he caused the incident because he insulted Teresa.
- His You Have Failed Me moment with Father Hacha also counts. Sharpe has just escaped him and Ducos is looking for someone to blame for not telling him that Sharpe was alive.
Never Speak Ill of the Dead: Very, very averted when he says that he would give Sharpe his regrets for the death of his wife, but "not if his wife was the Spanish whore who waged war on France."
Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: In Sharpe's Siege, Ducos ordering General Calvet to march his troops to assault the fortress for the sake of his grudge with Sharpe leaves a massive gap in Napoleon's flank that Wellington immediately exploits. Calvet is both horrified and enraged to the point of nearly throttling Ducos when a courier from his superiors informs him what happened.
The Sociopath: Unempathic, Consummate Liar, Manipulative Bastard, Narcissistic, and doesn't take responsibility for his actions.
Straw Misogynist: Seems to regard all women as whores, judging by the way he speaks of and acts toward them, such as Colonel Dubreton's wife, Teresa, and La Marquesa.
What a Drag: Gets dragged by his horse after Sharpe shoots him in Sharpe's Revenge.
Why Don't You Just Stab Him?: In Sharpe's Revenge, Ducos has Sharpe at his mercy, but instead of just finishing Sharpe off with a single thrust, he pulls his sword back for a grand killing stroke, allowing Sharpe to knock Ducos off his feet and follow up with a Groin Attack to put Ducos out of action.

Father Hacha

Father Tomas Hacha

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hacha.png

Played By: Nikolas Grace

Appears In: Sharpe's Honour

A Spanish Sinister Minister working for Major Pierre Ducos.

Never Bareheaded: Never seen without his hat.
Red and Black and Evil All Over: He wears black preacher's robes with a large red cross and he's a Sinister Minister.
Sinister Minister: He seeks to unite the clergy and aristocracy against Great Britain. He also wants to re-establish the Spanish Inquisiton.
You Have Failed Me: Ducos kills him after Sharpe escapes from Ducos.

El Matarife

Played By: Matthew Scurfield

Appears In: Sharpe's Honour

A Spanish partisan leader working for Ducos.

Backstab Backfire: Tries to kill Sharpe after losing the final duel, but a Spanish officer kills him.
Bald of Evil: El Matarife is clearly balding and an active participant in Ducos' plans.
Beard of Evil: Like his brother, though El Matarife's beard covers more of his chin.
Chain Pain: Matarife's method of dueling involves both combatants on either end of a chain, slashing at each other with long knives, with the chain keeping them together.
Dies Differently in Adaptation: His death is altered, being shot by Major Mendoza as he prepares to stab Sharpe in the back rather than having his throat slit by Sharpe.
Dragon Their Feet: He's the last remaining threat after Ducos shoots Father Hacha and Ducos is shot by French soldiers for his failure to stop Sharpe at the battle of Vitoria.
The Heavy: Of Sharpe's Honour, as his brother is behind the scenes with the Spanish upper classes and Ducos awaits results.
Karmic Death: After being forced to confess his murder of La Marquesa's husband, he tries to stab Sharpe, only to be shot by the officer he had tricked by framing Sharpe.
Only Known by Their Nickname: Only ever known by the term "El Matarife."
Rebel Leader: The Leader of a partisan group working for Ducos.

Loup

Brigadier General Guy Loup

Played By: Oliver Cotton

Appears In: Sharpe's Battle

A French general who vows revenge on Sharpe.

Ascended Extra: While he's not exactly an extra in the novel version of Sharpe's Battle, he does serve a much more minor role. Since Pierre Ducos isn't behind events in the television adaptation, Loup is promoted to the Big Bad and masterminds the entire operation.
Animal Motifs: Wolves. His men wear grey uniforms, have wolf-tail sashes and capes and leave wolf heads at massacres. Plus the name Loup, which is French for wolf.
Best Served Cold: Wants revenge on Sharpe after Sharpe ordered the execution of two of his men and Loup had sworn to his men that he would protect them.
Eye Scream: His left eye appears to be dead.
A Father to His Men: He promised to protect his men and is very angry when Sharpe orders the execution of two of them.
Hero Killer: He is the first antagonist whose schemes lead to the death of one of the Chosen Men: Perkins. He also gunned down Harper (this turns out to be Faking the Dead) and stabs Kiely to death.
He Who Fights Monsters: Invoked.
"The chief weapon of the guerilla, Major, is horror. Horror! So, I make sure that I am more horrible than my enemy."
Moral Myopia: Cares greatly about the well-being of his men and vows to avenge their deaths, yet at the same time orders them to commit massacres and acts of terror. Doubly so since the only reason his men were executed in the first place was as punishment for atrocities he himself had ordered. Granted, Sharpe's out of hand execution was technically a war crime, but no one was shedding too many tears bar Loup himself.
Pragmatic Villainy: An extremely dark example. To Loup, the deliberate brutality and horror he commits and allows his men to commit are not done for his enjoyment, but because they are the best way of deterring guerilla activity.
Rape Is a Special Kind of Evil: Invoked. Part of what makes Loup so terrible is that he doesn't believe this; his men are encouraged to rape Spanish civilians, as a terror tactic and a "morale building" exercise:
''Release soldiers to rape and they will forget that they are hungry and their pay is three months in arrears. Rape is a weapon like any other, Major.
Savage Wolves: Purposely uses the image of his namesake as part of his mens uniforms as he has them commit brutal acts of terror to both demoralize Spanish resistance, and sate them with bloodlust and rape.

Juanita

Dona Juanita de Elia

Played By: Siri Neal

Appears In: Sharpe's Battle

A Spanish partisan and French agent who is the mistress of Lord Kiely.

Apple of Discord: She's distributing fake newspapers among the Irish Company to encourage deserters and weaken the Anglo-Spanish alliance.
Compressed Hair: Her hair is typically up in curls, similar to Annie, but is shown to be more than waist-length during the night.
Dies Differently in Adaptation: In the book, Juanita is shot by Harper. In the TV adaptation, she is cut open by Kiely.
Evil Counterpart: To Teresa, as a female Rebel Leader who is in a relationship with a British officer, but is helping the French.
Guns Akimbo: Juanita carries two pistols, as shown when Sharpe and Kiely duel near the end of the adaptation. She wounds Sharpe with one and is just about to draw the second when Kiely kills her.
Gutted Like a Fish: Dies this way when Kiely, pushed too far by her blackmail and bullying, slices her stomach open with his sabre.
Rebel Leader: The leader of another group of partisans at the Franco-Spanish border.
She Knows Too Much: Murders Miranda when she spies on Juanita's meeting with Loup.

O'Rourke

Guardsman O'Rourke

Played By: Liam Carney

Appears In: Sharpe's Battle

A member of the Spanish Royal Irish Company, the Real Compania Irlandesa, His Most Catholic Majesty, Ferdinand, the King of Spain's royal guard.

Adaptational Villainy: Although there is a similarly named member of the Compania Irlandesa in the novel, Rourke was not a traitor, nor a even a prominent character. There were, in fact, no traitors within the ranks of the Compania, and they fought as reinforcements for the Highlanders and Connaught Rangers at the battle of Fuentes de Onoro. The traitor in the novel was not one of the soldiers at all, nor was Perkins killed.
Bond One-Liner: "Murdering English bastard." After shooting Sharpe's subordinate Jenkins.
Cavalry Betrayal: Subverted. He and his men are just pretending to be The Cavalry. The real cavalry shows up less than five minutes later.
Chekhov's Skill: The fact that he doesn't keep a gun in half-decent order winds up biting him in the ass when he comes face to face with Harper during the climax.
Harper: A good soldier always looks after his weapon, boy.
Gangsta Style: Holds his pistol sideways when he murders Jenkins.
Hero Killer: He's the one who murders Jenkins and Perkins.
Hoist by His Own Petard: Stabbed by Harper with the bayonet he used to murder Perkins.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Stabbed repeatedly with a bayonet by Harper.
Made of Iron: Shrugs off getting shot in the leg with a heavy bullet without even a limp.
Nothing Personal: "Sgt. Harper. I've no quarrel with a fellow Irishman." Unfortunately, Harper does.
The Quisling: The leader of a group of Royal Irish Company soldiers who are working for Loup.
Rape Is a Special Kind of Evil: Threatens to rape Lady Kiely to the extent that she'll wish she was dead.
Ungrateful Bastard: Murders Jenkins, who saved his life during a battle.
[Verb] This!: Before shooting Jenkins, he says "Have that."
Walking Spoiler: His loyalties spoil the last 30 minutes of Sharpe's Battle.

Leroux

Colonel Philippe Leroux

Played By: Patrick Fierry

Appears In: Sharpe's Sword

A colonel in the Imperial Guard, sent to kill Wellington's spymaster, El Mirador.

Bad Boss: Shoots his captain to impersonate him.
Cold-Blooded Torture: Inflicts this on the priest and the nuns in the opening five minutes, which traumatises the Lass into silence for most of the episode. He also tortured Spears into betraying Britain.
Cool Sword: Harper suggests that Sharpe's wish to kill Leroux stems from desire for the latter's sword. It was able to break Sharpe's own Cool Sword.
Dead Person Impersonation: Pretends to be his captain, allowing himself to be captured.
Duel to the Death: Between him and Sharpe after Sharpe, the Chosen Men and the South Essex have stormed the fort at Villafranca.
Faux Affably Evil: Is polite to the English officers during his time as a captive. Sharpe sees right through it.
Hero Killer: Gets the closest to killing Sharpe out of any villain, as well as demoralizing him by breaking his sword.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Speared through the chest during his and Sharpe's final duel.
Manipulative Bastard: Is able to play Colonel Berkeley like a fiddle.
Praetorian Guard: Serves in Napoleon's Imperial Guard.
Would Hurt a Child: Kills Ensign McDonald.

Calvet

General Jean-Baptiste Calvet

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/general_calvert.png

"In Russia I ate my own corporal."

Played By: Olivier Pierre (Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe's Mission), John Benfield (Sharpe's Revenge)

Appeared In: Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe's Mission (TV only), Sharpe's Revenge

A French general and a veteran from Napoleon's Russia campaign. His force is the last opposition Wellington has in Spain.

Adaptational Name Change: The TV Series gives him the name Maurice.
Affably Evil: In a rough sort of way when he and Sharpe team up in Sharpe's Revenge, recognising and respecting Sharpe's ability. While he does hold a bit of a grudge about the quicklime incident, he refers to it when basically demanding Sharpe come up with another evil idea because he knows he's capable of it, and Sharpe can't help liking it. Prior to the final battle of that book, he refers to Sharpe as he would a French soldier, and Sharpe returns it with a 'Mon General', getting a face splitting grin.
Bash Brothers: He and his orderly, Gaston, are rarely seen apart. He only calls off the attack in Sharpe's Siege when he sees his friend wounded.
Big Eater: It is easier to count the number of scenes where he is not eating something. Justified, considering the starvation faced in the Moscow Retreat.
Enemy Mine: Works alongside Sharpe to recover the French Imperial Treasure in Sharpe's Revenge. Given how similar they are, they end up getting along famously.
Four-Star Badass: The two medals displayed on his uniform are the Légion d'Honneur (Legion of Honor) (Red Ribbon) one of the highest commendations anyone civilian or military could achieve, and the Ordre de la Couronne de Fer (Order of the Iron Crown) (Yellow & Green Ribbon), created by Napoleon after his Italian campaign.
Gasshole: Burps loudly after executing Colonel Cresson.
The Heavy: In Sharpe's Siege; it is his force that is sent to take Maquerre's castle and kill Sharpe.
I'm a Humanitarian: Killed and ate his corporal during the Moscow Retreat.
Mirror Character: To Sharpe; both of them are high-ranking officers that were promoted on merit, both of them saw action before Spain (Sharpe in India and Calvet in Italy and Russia) and both of them hold a dim view of their respective aristocracy. Calvet even has his own counterpart to Harper - Gaston.
The Other Darrin: Calvet's original actor, Olivier Pierre, who did speak English, was replaced by English actor John Benfield for his final appearance because Pierre's accent was considered too thick for the amount of English dialogue required in his interactions with Sharpe.
Trademark Favorite Food: Soup, or at least enough so that he will eat it with every meal. Including breakfast. When Ducos condescendingly questions this, Calvet shoots him a cold look and tells him, "I eat soup with every meal, because I remember when I had no soup."
You Have Failed Me: To Ducos in Sharpe's Siege, whom he grabs by the lapels and yells in his face, and to Colonel Cresson in Sharpe's Mission, who he shoots.

Gaston

Corporal Gaston

Played By: Ercument Balakoglu

Appears In: Sharpe's Siege, Sharpe's Mission (TV only), Sharpe's Revenge

A French Corporal and orderly to General Calvet, serving him both in Russia and Spain.

The Gadfly: Pretends to consume a poisoned mushroom in one scene.
Older Sidekick: Appears to be older than Calvet.
Old Soldier: His hair and moustache are grey and he still assaults the castle in Sharpe's Siege.

Maquerre

Comte Aristide de Maquerre

Played By: Christian Brendel

Appears In: Sharpe's Siege

A French aristocrat and double agent who has worked undercover as a monarchist.

Even Evil Has Loved Ones: He visits his sick mother and is broken when his sister, Catherine, refuses to accompany him away from their castle.
False Friend: He lures the British into Bordeaux, telling them that the region are ready to rise in support of the Bourbons.
In-Series Nickname: Major Hogan refers to him as Maquereau, a French word for mackerel, but also slang for a pimp.
In the Back: In the series, he gets shot in the back by Robinson and Hagman.
Manipulative Bastard: He convinces Colonel Bampfylde to leave the castle and the wounded men of the Prince of Wales Volunteers behind, along with ruining the gunpowder.
Named by the Adaptation: The series gives him his first name.

Cresson

Colonel Cresson

Played By: Peter Le Campion

Appears In: Sharpe's Mission (TV only)

A French Colonel with orders directly from Emperor Bonaparte to capture Major General Ross and a plan to do just that.

Canon Foreigner: Cresson is a TV-only character.
The Chessmaster: Concocts a plan to capture Ross by luring him to a French powder magazine.
The Uriah Gambit: Following the failed plan, Calvet offers him some mushrooms, some of which are poisoned. The one he eats is not. He is still shot.
We Have Reserves: His plan hinges on using French deserters to lure Ross into the trap. He divides these between the Sheep - soldiers who turn tail and flee, and Goats - soldiers more willing to fight.

Antagonists - British

Simmerson

Sir Henry Simmerson

Played By: Michael Cochrane

Appears In: Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Company (Novel only), Sharpe's Sword (TV only), Sharpe's Regiment, Sharpe's Challenge (TV only), Sharpe's Peril (TV only)

With more money than sense or taste and completely lacking in humanity, honour and decency, Sir Henry is the epitome of all that is bad about the British upper classes. He has neither morals nor backbone, his chief weapons are blackmail and backstabbing.

Arch-Enemy: Of Sharpe's many enemies, he appears the most, looking to cause Sharpe trouble at every turn.
Asshole Victim: Downplayed, since he doesn't die, but whatever misfortunes befall him (such as a painful Curb-Stomp Battle in Sharpe's Sword) are well deserved.
A Taste of the Lash: His solution for discipline? Whip them.
Big Bad Wannabe: He's nowhere near as competent or clever as he likes to think he is, nor as he would need to be to get any of the glory or success he desires. Even when he is the main antagonist, he delegates the Evil Plan to his not-much-better nephew who in turn delegates it to the actually competent Berry (who is only truly effective in the show, not the novel).
Breakout Villain: Simmerson only appears in two novels (Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Regiment), but his popularity with the audience has him show up three more times in the series, including one novel where he did not originally appear (Sharpe's Sword) and the two later miniseries (Sharpe's Challenge and Sharpe's Peril).
Curb-Stomp Battle: Ends up on the receiving end of a very painful one from Father Curtis in Sharpe's Sword.
Dirty Coward: He'll run at the first sign of enemy troops.
Dirty Old Man: Tries to force himself on "The Lass" in the TV version of Sharpe's Sword.
Evil Cannot Comprehend Good: He's baffled when Father Curtis draws his sword against him when Simmerson tries to rape "The Lass".
Simmerson: What's it to you, priest? You hate the British.
Father Curtis: I'm Irish. John Bull's a bad neighbor, but Bonaparte's a bully, and so are you. [Cue Father Curtis curb-stomping Simmerson]
Evil Uncle: For his niece Jane, whom he beats.
Exposed to the Elements: In Sharpe's Peril, Simmerson is found tied up naked in a fort, with his massacred subordinates scattered around him.
Glory Seeker: He thought a little military success would help him in the political field.
Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain: He's a serial loser who owes his command entirely to belonging to the upper-class, and is otherwise completely incompetent and far more of a threat to himself and his own side than to the enemy. He doesn't become particularly sympathetic until "Sharpe's Peril" though, and that's only because he finds himself on the wrong end of Eviler than Thou to the cruel and dangerous villains of that story. In the books, he never achieves that at all.
Jerkass: Most of his scenes involve him being nothing but an asshole.
Karma Houdini: Played straight in the novels, while his plans may be foiled, he is never punished, always squirming out of justice's reach beneath a whitewash. Averted in the television series, when...
Karma Houdini Warranty: In "Sharpe's Peril", his garrison is slaughtered and he is tortured and left for dead by being stripped naked, stretched out and left to die in the sun. Even Sharpe takes pity on him after that.
The Neidermeyer: The chief example in the series. Sir Henry is more concerned with superficial things like proper marching and making sure his men stand ramrod straight, typically with collars that scar the men's necks. He's absolutely useless in combat and spends every appearance as the Butt-Monkey of every character he goes against.
Never My Fault: Will typically shift blame from himself to the more professional officers, like Sharpe and Lennox.
Once Done, Never Forgotten: He's often reminded of his losing the King's Colours.
Screams Like a Little Girl: After he gets stabbed in the arm in the TV version of Sharpe's Sword.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: He'll usually cower behind a relative at Horse Guards if things don't go his way.
Smug Snake: Has a perpetual air of snobbery which his actions do nothing to justify.
Upper-Class Twit: A lower-end aristocrat with only money to help him and no common sense.
Verbal Tic: Has the habit of grumbling/burping when displeased and speechless.
Villainous Valor: In the TV series only, in Sharpe's Sword. Despite being a Dirty Coward on a regular basis, he actually does try to hold his own against Father Curtis, dueling him until he can’t.
White Hair, Black Heart: His hair is white and he is a loathsome human being.
Would Hit a Girl: Oh boy would he. Jane Gibbons reveals that Simmerson regularly punishes her for acts of defiance. He also lets Girdwood, the man he wants her to marry, watch stating "a man should know how to treat his wife".

Berry

Lieutenant John Berry

Played By: Daniel Craig

Appears In: Sharpe's Eagle

The best friend of Simmerson's nephew Lieutenant Christian Gibbons.

Adaptational Attractiveness: In the book, Berry was a Fat Bastard and Fat Idiot. Here, he's thinner and more handsome, as well as smarter.
Adaptational Badass: He's much more dangerous here than in the novel, even eclipsing Gibbons as the secondary antagonist.
Asshole Victim: Killed by Harper while torturing Sharpe in the tv show. In the book, Sharpe straight up murders him.
Badass Boast: "Nobody can be me with a pistol at 50 paces."
Cold-Blooded Torture: Inflicts this on Sharpe by kicking his leg wound until he begs for death.
Dies Differently in Adaptation: His death is an amalgamation of the deaths of Gibbons and Berry from the book: The novel has Sharpe luring Berry off to a secluded spot under the cover of a French attack and stabbing him through the throat with his sword.
The Dragon: To Simmerson, bordering on Dragon-in-Chief in the second half of the episode after the colours are lost, since Berry makes the plans to discredit and kill Sharpe.
Dragon with an Agenda: In the TV series, he clearly hates Sharpe as much as Simmerson does if not even more, as Sharpe had embarrassed him in their earlier fight. He might have tried to do something about Sharpe even if no order was given, and he volunteers himself over Gibbons who doesn't seem to care.
Food Slap: Sharpe tosses wine into his face after Berry and Gibbons rape Josefina.
Good Old Fisticuffs: With Sharpe when Berry tries to rape Josefina, with Berry laying more punches on Sharpe than the opposite.
The Heavy: In the TV series, he's technically working for Simmerson and Gibbons but is clearly the smartest of the three and seems to easily manipulate the other two (particularly Gibbons), and he's the one who seems to hate Sharpe the most and who comes up with and executes the Evil Plan to discredit or kill him.
Hypercompetent Sidekick: To Gibbons. Gibbons is on higher social standing, being the nephew of an aristocrat, while Berry is his friend (and Berry remarks that he's not "top drawer"), but Berry is smarter and tougher.
In the Back: Stabbed in the back by Harper.
Kick the Dog: Forces a soldier to drill, a soldier that received 75 lashes that morning.
No Full Name Given: Only known as Berry.
No-Sell: Sharpe tries to kick Berry in the groin during their fistfight. Berry only chuckles.
Red Oni, Blue Oni: Berry is the blue to Gibbons' red, patient, soft-spoken and clear-headed.
Soft-Spoken Sadist: Berry rarely raises his voice above a whisper.
Spiking the Camera: Berry spends most of his first scene looking right at the camera when he speaks.
A Taste of the Lash: Berry is eager to use a riding crop on Josefina.
Berry: The Countess has been very naughty, making eyes at Sharpe, making a fool of Sir Henry and calling herself a countess. Very naughty indeed. Naughty girls get spanked and put to bed.
Victoria's Secret Compartment: Bribes one of Josefina's maids by dropping a coin down her dress.
Xanatos Gambit: His plan to discredit Sharpe is to rape Josefina; Sharpe would call him and Gibbons out; if Berry wins, Simmerson is down an enemy and if Sharpe wins, his reputation will be destroyed.

Gibbons

Lieutenant Christian Gibbons

Played By: Neil Dudgeon

Appears In: Sharpe's Eagle

The nephew of Sir Henry Simmerson and brother of Jane Gibbons.

Adaptational Wimp: Much of the traits that Gibbons had in the novel were given to Berry.
Butt-Monkey: Can never win a card game with Berry.
The Ditz: He's a bit of a clod.
Food Slap: Sharpe tosses wine in his face to challenge him to a duel after he and Berry rape Josefina.
Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain: In the TV series only. He's mostly all bark and no bite, and would much prefer enjoying himself and having the company of ladies to much else. He wants to win glory in battle but clearly has no idea what war is actually like. The worst thing he does is attempt to rape Josefina with Berry, but even that was only because Berry pushed and manipulated him into doing it and not something he ever contemplated on his own, and Berry is shown manipulating and exploiting him throughout the episode.
Karma Houdini: Unlike the novel's version he escapes any punishment from his actions towards Sharpe and Josefina.
Mugging the Monster: Twice.
- Tries to whip Sharpe when they pass each other in the street. Sharpe grabs the arm holding the whip and pulls him out of the saddle.
- Messing with a partisan disguised as an apple farmer gets him threatened with a knife and a Mexican Standoff.
Nepotism: As Sir Henry's nephew, he receives a commission. Gibbons does nothing to earn it, only trying to woo Josefina and standing around.
Oh, Crap!: When he hears who he tried to hit and the man's reputation: it was Sharpe.
Red Oni, Blue Oni: The red to Berry's blue as Gibbons is impulsive, hot-headed and romantic.
Spared by the Adaptation: Gibbons is killed by Harper in the novel. Here, he flees back to England with his uncle.
Villainous Crush: He has one for the Countess Josefina. She falls for Sharpe instead, then Leroy.
What Happened to the Mouse?: Disappears after Sharpe's Eagle. His sister Jane never mentions him in subsequent episodes (it is possible they are actually cousins, but it is notable regardless).

Hakeswill

Obadiah Hakeswill

"You can't kill me."

Played By: Pete Postlethwaite

Appears In: Sharpe's Tiger (Novel only), Sharpe's Triumph (Novel only), Sharpe's Fortress (Novel only), Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Enemy

Hakeswill is Sharpe's nightmarish nemesis, haunting our lad from India until he turns up again in Spain. It was Hakeswill who got Sharpe flogged in India. Hakeswill's main goal in life seems to be to cause Sharpe as much misery and grief as possible.

Adaptational Villainy: Not that he's anything close to sympathetic in the novels, but the TV series makes him, if possible, even worse. For one, instead of laying off Lady Farthingdale because she came to the village to pray for her mother, Hakeswill tries to rape her and is only stopped by Pot-at-Feu telling him that rape will damage the ransom value.
Anything but That!: When caught by Colonel Dubreton in Sharpe's Enemy, Hakeswill begs to not be handed over to Sharpe. Dubreton, who caught Hakeswill after he murdered Teresa and tried to rape Lady Farthingdale, not to mention the fact that Dubreton's wife had been captured by the renegades, hands him over to Sharpe.
Arch-Enemy: To Sharpe. For one thing, Hakeswill is the reason why Sharpe has the scars on his back.
Asshole Victim: At the end of Sharpe's Enemy, where he is shot by a firing squad.
Bad Boss: On a normal day, Hakeswill's an abusive bully to the men in his charge. Other days, he'll actively murder them to use as cover during battle.
Bald of Evil: Bald and a murderous, rape-happy psychopath.
BFG: Gets a turn with Harper's Nock Gun. It goes badly.
Big Bad: Of Sharpe's Company. In Sharpe's Enemy, he's in a Big Bad Duumvirate with Pot-au-Feu and they're in a Big Bad Ensemble with Major Ducos, who seeks to invade Portugal using Adratos, the fortress the renegades are holed up in, as a funneling point.
Character Tics: Has an uncontrollable amount of facial tics due to his failed hanging years ago.
Chekhov's Gun: Hakeswill talks to his shako as if it's his mother. It's also a good place to hide a small portrait.
Companion Cube: Speaks to his hat as if it's his mother when he gets hold of a picture of Windham's wife - who, in his warped mind, bears a resemblance to his mother.
Dies Differently in Adaptation: In the novel, he faces the firing squad and Sharpe personally administers the coup de grace. The film leaves the latter part out.
Dirty Coward: He's shown hiding under bodies in Sharpe's Company.
Drill Sergeant Nasty: Outwardly he behaves this way towards the common men in order to stay in the officers' good books; privately, he likes to be much much worse.
Evil Brit: Downplayed since most of the cast is British, but Hakeswill is the most evil one in the series, highlighted by combining a Cockney accent with a raspy voice to show his thuggish nature.
From Nobody to Nightmare: In his previous appearances, Hakeswill has been an internal irritant to Sharpe. In Enemy, his regiment of deserters attracts the attention of Wellington, who considers them such a big threat that they must be destroyed as soon as possible.
For the Evulz: Hakeswill's most regular hobby is to bully and abuse every enlisted man in his regiment that he can; his second most regular hobby is to brutally rape any woman he crosses paths with. He does both for no other reason than that it brings him immense pleasure.
Frame-Up: Frames Harper for stealing an aristocrat's wife's portrait and got him flogged in Sharpe's Company. Sharpe also mentions that Hakeswill framed him for the crime that got him flogged.
The Friend Nobody Likes: Even after he has joined the army of deserters, in the TV series, his French co-leader Pot-au-Feu never really warms up to him and merely sees him as a useful brute. In the books, the relationship seems to be a bit warmer, though the dynamic is much the same.
Good Scars, Evil Scars: Hakeswill has a prominent scar around his neck as a result of a failed hanging when he was 12 (in the books, he raped a vicar's daughter).
Hero Killer: He murders Teresa when she tries to stop him from raping Lady Farthingdale.
Hoist by His Own Petard: His appetites are his undoing in both episodes of the tv series he appears in: if he hadn't gone after Teresa the second time in Sharpe's Company, he'd never have been caught out and forced to desert the army; in Sharpe's Enemy, if he hadn't kidnapped Lady Farthingdale again in order to rape her, Teresa and Dubreton likely wouldn't have caught up with him.
"It" Is Dehumanizing: His crimes are so loathsome that Sharpe doesn't consider him human. When Hakeswill is caught by Dubreton at the end of Sharpe's Enemy:
Sharpe: A liar. A thief. A rapist. A murderer. That's not a man. Take it away.
I Want My Mommy!: Shown screaming for his mother in Sharpe's Company.
"Mother! Mother, Mother! Spread your wings and lift me high!"
Joker Immunity: Due to the Sharpe novels being written out of chronological order, Hakeswill ends up surviving increasingly deadly circumstances in books set earlier in the timeline since he can't die until Sharpe's Enemy. There are at least four unsuccessful attempt by Sharpe and Harper to kill Hakeswill, each one lending further weight to his conviction that he cannot die:
- In Sharpe's Tiger, Hakeswill survives being confined in a courtyard with six hungry tigers.
- In Sharpe's Triumph, Hakeswill survives an elephant attempting to trample him to death.
- In Sharpe's Fortress, Hakeswill lives through being thrown into a pit of venomous snakes.
- In Sharpe's Company, Harper shoots Hakeswill through a window in Badajoz with his seven-barrelled Nock gun. And yet Obadiah got back up again, to Harper's utter disbelief.
Karma Houdini Warranty: Finally Killed Off for Real at the end of Sharpe's Enemy, after surviving many previous events that would've killed anyone else.
Lack of Empathy: In Sharpe's Enemy, he orders one of the renegades to murder one of Lady Farthingdale's bodyguards simply for being an inconvenience. And that's not going into his treatment of women.
Made of Iron: In Sharpe's Company, he takes a full-on blast from Harper's Nock gun, a weapon that can kill three men at a time, and keeps walking (and the shot kills the man standing next to him).
The Man They Couldn't Hang: Believes that he cannot be killed. Case in point the hanging where he got his scar, and in Sharpe's Company, when he falls from a great height and gets shot by Harper.
Meaningful Name: Hake is a species of fish; swill can refer to leftover animal guts from the kitchen used to feed the pigs: "fish guts" would be a very appropriate description of the sergeant's personality.
Murder by Mistake: Accidentally shoots Ensign Matthews while trying to shoot Sharpe.
The Only One Allowed to Defeat You: When Sharpe and the French colonel are fighting in Sharpe's Enemy, Hakeswill whispers that he hopes Sharpe isn't killed. When Pot-au-Feu asks why, Hakeswill responds that he wants to do it himself.
Professional Butt-Kisser: He will never ever openly disobey an officer or retaliate when an officer abuses him, and that makes it very hard to catch him in any wrongdoing.
Rape Is a Special Kind of Evil: It's one of the reasons Sharpe hates him so much. The first time he shows up onscreen, he tries to rape Teresa, showing what sort of a man he is. He also rapes and murders Sally Clayton.
Rasputinian Death: When finally executed by firing squad, the initial volley fails to put him down and it takes a soldier shooting him point-blank through the heart to finish him off for good.
The Resenter: Sharpe makes it his duty and his pleasure to lay a beatdown on Hakeswill every chance he gets as payback for the flogging he received as a private due to Hakeswill's sadistic cruelty, and because he knows the evil bastard is a thief and an enthusiastic rapist. Hakeswill is enraged that the lowly private he once bullied and abused is now an officer he has to bow and scrape to, so he secretly tries to inflict as much misery and ruin on Sharpe and his rifle company as possible.
Sadist: There's no question he enjoys the pain he causes.
Serial Rapist: Tries to rape any pretty woman in the episode.
The Sociopath: Lack of Empathy? Check, just ask Sally Clayton's children (in the TV series), after he raped and murdered their mother. In the books, more or less anything else. Consummate Liar and Manipulative Bastard? Double check. Need for stimulation? If there's a pretty woman in the episode, he'll try to rape her and if she has a husband, he'll threaten him too. In the books, Sharpe even notes that he'll frequently threaten battalion wives with having their husbands flogged or executed if they don't sleep with him. Narcissist? He believes himself invincible.
Sociopathic Soldier: Hakeswill is of the psychopathic type; if he wasn't in the army, he'd be doing the same things: bully anyone he can step on and rape any pretty woman he can find.
Spiteful Spit: While tied to the post for execution, he spits at the man who attempts to put the blindfold over his eyes.
Twitchy Eye: Happens quite frequently when he's talking to himself or his "mother", or during his other overt moments of mental instability.
Would Hit a Girl: Murders Sally Clayton, in the TV series, and Teresa, in both books and series.

Fenner

Lord Simon Fenner

Played By: Nicholas Farrell

Appears In: Sharpe's Regiment

The Secretary At War, revealed to have been skimming the books, transferring and auctioning men and stores in and out of battalions secretly and taking hefty kickbacks for his trouble.

Adaptational Attractiveness: In the novel, Fenner is a grey haired man in his fifties. His television counterpart is considerably younger.
Affably Evil: Impeccably charming, corrupt and cruel.
Aristocrats Are Evil: Is a Lord, and is utterly self-serving.
The Man Behind the Man: In Sharpe's Regiment, alongside Sir Henry Simmerson.
The Stoic: Is very calm and languid.
Villainous Breakdown: Has a very brief one when Lady Camoynes produces the evidence implicating his involvement in the soldier auctions.
Villain with Good Publicity: Is second only to the Minister of War, who himself finds it difficult to press charges against him without proof.

Girdwood

Lt. Colonel Bartholomew Girdwood

Played By: Mark Lambert

Appears In: Sharpe's Regiment

A disgraced officer on half-pay recruited by Simmerson to command the Second Battalion of the South Essex Regiment and the training camp, as part of Simmerson's crimping scheme.

Be Careful What You Wish For: Wants so desperately to be a great military leader and see action for the first time, that Sharpe makes him nominal commander just in time for a military engagement in the Pyrenees. The battle is such a shock that he becomes insane.
Freudian Excuse: In regards to his dislike of dogs and the Irish: apparently he was mauled by a mastiff dog as a boy and narrowly survived an ambush by Irish rebels as a young officer.
Hero-Worshipper: To Frederick the Great, modelling himself on the Prussian king's image.
Miles Gloriosus: Projects an image of himself as a great military leader, and is anything but.
Villainous BSoD: Is driven mad in his first battle at the end of Sharpe's Regiment and is subsequently sent home.
Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Is afraid of dogs, and the Irish. Funnily enough, the actor is Irish.

Lynch

Sergeant John Lynch

Played By: Robert Patterson

Appears In: Sharpe's Regiment

An Irish sergeant and Girdwood's second-in-command. In spite of being born there, or maybe because of it, Lynch despises everything Irish, including his own name, Sean, which he changed to John.

Boomerang Bigot: An Irish soldier who hates Irishmen.
Catchphrase: "FILTH!"
Cool and Unusual Punishment: Harper forces him to shout "God save Ireland!" whenever the former is present.
Dirty Coward: An obnoxious bully who tries to cut and run when actually faced with French troops in battle only to be killed by several of the men he bullied.
The Dragon: To Girdwood. In the general scheme of things with Fenner and Simmerson, Lynch is The Brute.
Drill Sergeant Nasty: Regularly bullies the men under his charge.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: In the TV series, he's bayoneted by several of his own men. In the book, he's just deployed in a squad with several Irish soldiers - most of his former victims - under Harper's command, who're all speaking in Gaelic which he's mostly forgotten... and then they start grinning at him.
Ironic Echo: On the receiving end; at least one of the recruits who lynches him spits his catchphrase "Filth!" back at the dying sergeant.
Ludicrous Gibs: In the book, it's not exactly shown what happened to him, but there is reportedly very little of him left afterwards.
Oh, Crap!: When he realises the Irish recruit he was bullying a few days earlier was in fact Harper, a senior officer.
Lynch: O'Keefe?
Harper: Who? I am Sergeant Major Harper. And you are...filth?
Unfriendly Fire: In the series and the book, he's murdered by several of his own men - and, in the latter case, by Harper.

Rossendale

Lord John Rossendale

Played By: Alexander Armstrong (Sharpe's Regiment), Alexis Denisof (Sharpe's Revenge, Sharpe's Justice, Sharpe's Waterloo)

Appears In: Sharpe's Regiment, Sharpe's Revenge, Sharpe's Justice (TV only), Sharpe's Waterloo

A courtier to the Prince Regent, Rossendale initially helps Sharpe find missing recruits, but later seduces Jane Gibbons, Sharpe's wife.

Bring My Brown Pants: Rossendale pisses his pants when he bumps into Sharpe at the Duchess of Richmond's Ball, after Sharpe had chased him outside with murder in his eyes.
Dies Differently in Adaptation: In the novel of Sharpe's Waterloo, Rossendale is seriously wounded fighting a French cavalry charge and later murdered by a peasant woman looting the battlefield. In the TV adaptation, he's dragged off his horse and bayoneted by French soldiers.
The Dragon: To Jane, and a fairly reluctant one at that, with Sharpe's Waterloo making it quite clear that even if Sharpe didn't quite reasonably terrify him, he doesn't want to kill someone he once considered a friend and knows to be a genuinely good man who he has wronged.
Even Evil Has Standards: When Sharpe is blamed for a massacre in Sharpe's Justice Rossendale throws the paper down in disbelief. Sure, Sharpe wants to kill the man for taking his fortune and stealing his wife, but Rossendale knows Sharpe is an honorable man and wouldn't massacre civilians.
I Did What I Had to Do: "I regret that I have played a part in (Sharpe's) misfortune. When I look at you, my love, I think, 'What else could I have done?' And what's more, to keep you I know I would do it all again."
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Bayoneted by French soldiers at the Battle of Waterloo.
Impoverished Patrician: Or at least very heavily indebted patrician, which is part of what leads him to stumbling towards the dark side.
Wrecked Weapon: Sharpe breaks both his pistol and his sword in a standoff.

Brand

Colonel Brand

Played By: Mark Strong

Appears In: Sharpe's Mission (TV only)

A Major who fights alongside Sharpe in 1810 and conducts a rescue operation that made him Colonel. He leads his own company - Brand's Boys.

Broken Pedestal: Sharpe has nothing but praise for him at the beginning of Sharpe's Mission. He discovers Brand's butchery of helpless gypsies and French soldiers, as well as his part in Colonel Cresson's plan to capture Ross. By the end, he has nothing but scorn for him.
The Butcher: Thinks nothing of slaughtering helpless soldiers.
Canon Foreigner: A TV-only character, along with the rest of Brand's Boys.
Disney Villain Death: Sharpe pushes him into a well.
Fake Ultimate Hero: Is celebrated as a British hero back home and is anything but.
Good Scars, Evil Scars: Has a small, thin scar in the corner of his left eye.
Leitmotif: He and his troops seem to have their own theme following them, a stirring piece of music that becomes ominous and sinister as it goes on.
Remember the New Guy?: The episode he appears in features an opening flashback set just after Sharpe's Eagle, but no mention of him is given before Sharpe's Mission.
Smug Snake: Never drops his smarmy demeanor even after being exposed and court-martialed as a French double agent. He even gloats that he will make Sharpe beg for his help in fighting off the French siege before Sharpe delivers him his impromptu execution.
The Social Darwinist: Champions the notion that the strong survive and that the weakest die. He has no second thoughts on leaving the injured behind.
Villain with Good Publicity: Is still regarded well at home and tries to use that to leverage better terms following his capture.
Walking Spoiler: His loyalties spoil at least half of Sharpe's Mission.

Crake

Captain Crake

Played By: Christian Rodska

Appears In: Sharpe's Mission (TV only)

The second highest officer in Brand's Boys.

Anti-Villain: Is far less antagonistic than Pope and Brand, and vehemently denies spying for the French, while confessing to the murdering and looting.
The Dragon: To Brand as his second highest ranking officer.
Hold the Line: He leads the remnants of Brand's Boys in the defence of the powder magazine, to allow time for Sharpe, Ross, Pyecroft, the Chosen Men and the Prince of Wales volunteers to escape and destroy the magazine.
Redemption Equals Death: Sharpe offers him and the rest of Brand's Boys this. They accept.

Pope

Sergeant Pope

Played By: Andrew Schofield

Appears In: Sharpe's Mission (TV only)

A prominent member of Brand's Boys.

Ain't Too Proud to Beg: When he is captured by Sharpe and Pyecroft. He confesses everything.
The Brute: The most vicious member of Brand's Boys.
Kick the Dog: Drives his boot into the chest of a French deserter that tries to surrender.
Kill It with Water: Harper drowns him.
Would Hit a Girl: Is sent to kill Zara.

Parfitt

Sir Willoughby Parfitt

Played By: Tony Haygarth

Appears In: Sharpe's Justice (TV)

A crooked industrialist that Sharpe finds himself at odds with.

Everyone Has Standards: A combination of this and Pragmatic Villainy perhaps, but he strongly objects to Captain Wickham massacring his workers who were listening to Truman's rabble rousing.
Faux Affably Evil: He is congenial towards Sharpe at first and adopts an avuncular attitude towards his staff but underneath it all he is completely ruthless and amoral.
Hypocrite: He is insistent that Sharpe and Wickham have to capture Truman, considering him the biggest threat to industry in the area. In fact, Parfitt is the one responsible for acts of sabotage against his rivals with Truman being a convenient scapegoat.
Know When to Fold Them: After his schemes are exposed, he meekly accepts Sharpe's demand that he write a letter exonerating him over the massacre Wickham carried out.
"Not So Different" Remark: He considers himself and Sharpe kindred spirits as self-made men. Sharpe is willing to accept it at first until he realises how corrupt Parfitt is.

Wickham

Captain George Wickham

Played By: Douglas Henshall

Appears In: Sharpe's Justice (TV)

The commanding officer of Sir Willoughby Parfitt's Yeomen.

The Dragon: As Captain of Parfitt's Yeomen.
Co-Dragons: He shares his position with Sharpe until the latter fights alongside Matt Truman.
More Despicable Minion: His efforts to capture Truman by murdering the innocent workers that had come to listen to him enrages his employer, and his drunken, lecherous behaviour towards Jane forces Parfitt to rein him in.
Overzealous Underling: Related to the above, his orders were to simply capture Truman. He decides to massacre the innocent workers that had come to listen to the rabble-rouser.
Well-Trained, but Inexperienced: His fencing skills prove to be Sharpe's superior in a controlled match, but the latter's experience on the field supersedes him.

Antagonists - Other

Pot-au-Feu

Marshal Pot-au-Feu, Sergeant Deron

Played By: Tony Haygarth

Appears In: Sharpe's Havoc (Novel only), Sharpe's Enemy

Pot-au-Feu was the name taken by French Sergeant Deron when he deserted and became the self-styled Marshal of France. A man who loves good food more than anything else. Leading the deserters with Hakeswill, Pot-au-Feu would rather discuss chicken recipes than fight.

Affably Evil: He cooks food for his enemies and is more friendly with them than they are with him.
Big Bad Duumvirate: With Hakeswill in Sharpe's Enemy. They're in a Big Bad Ensemble with Major Pierre Ducos.
Green and Mean: An antagonist who wears green. Downplayed as he's pleasant to be around unless you mess with his food.
Handy Cuffs: A rope variant when he uses the rope tied around his wrists to strangle a French soldier.
Historical Villain Downgrade: In Cornwell's historical notes, he says he probably made Pot-au-Feu a more likeable character than he actually was.
Karma Houdini: Since he doesn't do anything particularly cruel or brutal like Hakeswill, he gets off relatively lightly within the episode itself; Sharpe eventually captures him as he's too fat to run away, and punishes him by putting him to work cooking for the batallion. When the French arrive, in the book, he employs him again to cook for both sides during truce negotiations.
Know When to Fold Them: Surrenders when his men are trapped and he has a sword to his throat.
Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: Puts Kelly on guard duty when the latter protests against the maids being offered to the unruly renegades. Kelly, when found by Sharpe and the Chosen Men, does a Heel–Face Turn and locks the renegades in the villa, making them waste time trying to get the doors open and the place is turned into a shooting gallery as Sharpe and the Chosen Men kill them left and right.
No, Mr. Bond, I Expect You to Dine: Has Sharpe, Harper and Dubreton surrounded when they come to pay the ransom for the Colonels' wives. He could easily have them shot and take the cash, but stands his men down instead and offers to cook for the three "guests". Pot-au-feu clearly follows the rule of Sacred Hospitality.
Phenotype Stereotype: He's a cowardly French Fat Bastard deserter whose only passion in life is cooking food and eating it. Even the name he chose for himself after deserting means "Pot on the fire".
Pragmatic Villainy: Tells Hakeswill to not rape the women because it will damage the ransom value.
Small Name, Big Ego: Before deserting, he was a Sergeant and cook in the French army; a common soldier, otherwise a complete nobody and all-round Fat Bastard: As a deserter, he bestows upon himself the highest French military honor reserved for the greatest men that the French army has ever produced. His claim to such greatness is based purely on his culinary skills and interest.
Supreme Chef: Despite the above, even people who hate him are forced to admit he is an extraordinarily good cook.
Trojan Prisoner: At the beginning, he is tied up along with some French soldiers by a group of British soldiers, who are escorting a woman. It turns out they are all working together, apart from the woman, who is their captive.

Kelly

Played By: Morgan Jones

Appears In: Sharpe's Enemy

A former Connaught Ranger and one of Hakeswill's Mooks.

Bald of Evil: Not a hair on this renegade's head.
Even Evil Has Standards: He's practically sickened by the other renegades' lewd actions toward the women.
Good Costume Switch: Ditches his black head ribbon when he makes his Heel–Face Turn.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Bayoneted by one of the renegades.
Offscreen Moment of Awesome: Killed a French cavalryman at Talavera.
Redemption Equals Death: Sharpe persuades him to make a Heel–Face Turn and Kelly is killed by one of his fellow renegades in the battle next day. Sharpe recognizes him as a Chosen Man as Kelly dies from his wounds.
Redemption Promotion: He was a Connaught Ranger before his desertion, a mere Mook with the deserters, and regarded as a Chosen Man by Sharpe as he dies.

El Casco

Played By: Abel Folk

Appears In: Sharpe's Gold (TV only)

A Spanish partisan and death cult leader.

Beat Still, My Heart: Carves out his victims' hearts.
Canon Foreigner: Since the adaptation of Sharpe's Gold is In Name Only, El Casco and his death cult are completely new inventions of the television series and unrelated to the novel.
Cult: His partisan group believe themselves to be descendants of shipwrecked Aztecs and practice the Human Sacrifice part to be sure. Ironically, they dress up like conquistadors and wear their armor.
Hell Is That Noise: He meows exactly like a cat when he finds something appealing.
Human Sacrifice: His partisan group uses the Aztec practice of removing human hearts while the victims are still alive.
Improbable Weapon User: Uses an obsidian-bladed weapon against Sharpe.
Throwing Your Sword Always Works: Kills Lt. Ayres by throwing a knife into his chest.
Would Hit a Girl: He's planning on carving Ellie's heart out.

Lady Molly Spindacre

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/molly_spindacre.png

Played by: Connie Hyde

Appears In: Sharpe's Revenge (TV only)

A acquaintance of Jane Sharpe.

Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Seems to be there specifically for this. She is the one who suggests Jane leave Sharpe and take all of his money, then happily encourages her to fall for the prodigal Lord Rossendale. And ultimately when Jane breaks down from the emotional strain of the situation Molly's suggestions have got her into callously calls Jane a whore and informs her that she is the laughingstock of the town, then leaves but not before informing her that her best bet is to leave Lord Rossendale and hitch up with the next man she can get.

Prince Of Orange

William II, Prince of Orange

Played: Paul Bettany

Appears in: Sharpe's Waterloo

Heir to the Dutch throne, looking for some battlefield glory. Hampered by one flaw: His complete incompetence.

Asshole Victim: He gets several battalions killed due to his incompetence, whereupon Sharpe, who he called out of retirement to add some glamour to his staff, shoots him. Sharpe's Assassin reveals that this is an Open Secret, since the shot was non-lethal, Wellington actually finds it funny, telling Sharpe that the 'French skirmisher' who shot the Prince made "a very good shot."
Butt-Monkey: A total General Failure, whose attempts to establish authority over Sharpe are a miserable failure, and ultimately gets shot by Sharpe, while Wellington just finds it funny.
General Failure: William is utterly clueless about the battlefield, ignoring the advice of seasoned soldiers like Sharpe and getting entire battalions killed in his bumbling attempts to win glory. He also thinks he's the second coming of Alexander the Great. In the end, Sharpe gets so sick of this that he actually shoots him, and Wellington, despite being perfectly aware that Sharpe is responsible, isn't bothered. In fact, he finds it funny.
Historical Villain Upgrade: Probably the worst case of it in the entire series. The actual William II was, by all accounts, a standup kind of guy. Liked by both the British and his own men. The Sharpe version is a blithering, braying Upper-Class Twit hated by everyone (his own soldiers included) and is so reviled Sharpe tries to kill him - though it is suggested that he does have a bunch of genuine friends, and he can be amiable enough if his pride isn't offended, and he isn't actually evil - just egotistical and horribly incompetent.
Karma Houdini: Aside from getting shot by Sharpe, William survives the battle he bungles. He would in fact live another 34 years.

Characters / Sharpe

Edit Locked

Chosen Men

Richard Sharpe

Sergeant Patrick Harper

Rifleman Daniel Hagman

Rifleman Harris

Rifleman Francis Cooper

Rifleman Isaiah Tongue

Ben Perkins

Allies-British Officers

Sir Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

Major Michael Hogan

Major Warren Dunnett

Captain John Murray

Major Nairn

Captain William Frederickson

Major Mungo Munro

Colonel Lord Benedict, Earl of Kiely

Colonel Claude Runciman

Lord Captain Jack Spears

George Augustus Frederick, Prince Regent of the House of Hanover

Major Septimus Pyecroft

South Essex Regiment

Lieutenant Colonel William Lawford

Major Lennox

Captain Thomas Leroy

Ensign Denny

Dobbs

Lieutenant Harry Price

Ensign William Matthews

Colonel Brian Windham

Major Jack Collett

Clayton

Captain Peter D'Alembord

Foreign Allies

Major Blas Vivar, Count of Matamores

Chef du Battalion (Colonel) Michel Dubreton

Father Curtis, aka El Mirador

Sharpe's Women

Commandante Teresa Moreno

Josefina, Countess La Costa

Lady Isabella Farthingdale

La Marquesa

Ellie Nugent

Lucy, Lady Kiely

"Lass"

Jane Gibbons

Madame Lucille Castineau, Vicomtesse de Seleglise, Lady Lassan

Antagonists - Imperial France

Napoleon I, Emperor of the French

Colonel Pierre De L'Eclin

Tomas Vivar

Major Pierre Ducos

Father Tomas Hacha

El Matarife

Brigadier General Guy Loup

Dona Juanita de Elia

Guardsman O'Rourke

Colonel Philippe Leroux

General Jean-Baptiste Calvet

Corporal Gaston

Comte Aristide de Maquerre

Colonel Cresson

Antagonists - British

Sir Henry Simmerson

Lieutenant John Berry

Lieutenant Christian Gibbons

Obadiah Hakeswill

Lord Simon Fenner

Lt. Colonel Bartholomew Girdwood

Sergeant John Lynch

Lord John Rossendale

Colonel Brand

Captain Crake

Sergeant Pope

Sir Willoughby Parfitt

Captain George Wickham

Antagonists - Other

Marshal Pot-au-Feu, Sergeant Deron