Sean Chapman
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Sean Chapman | |
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Born | Greenwich, London, England | June 2, 1961
Occupation(s) | Actor, Writer, Voice artist |
Years active | 1978–2016 |
Notable work | Hellraiser, Scum, Crysis, A Distant Prospect |
Sean Chapman (born June 2, 1961 in Greenwich, London) is an English actor and writer known for his work across film, television, theatre, and video games.[1] He began his acting career in the late 1970s, appearing in Passion Flower Hotel (1978) and gaining attention with his role as James in Scum (1979), directed by Alan Clarke. He played Frank Cotton in Clive Barker's Hellraiser, and its sequel, Hellbound: Hellraiser II. He also voiced the character Sgt. Michael Sykes (callsigned "Psycho") in Crysis in 2007 and in Crysis Warhead in 2008.
Filmography
[edit]- Passion Flower Hotel (1978) – Rodney
- Scum (1979) – James
- Party Party (1983) – Sam Diggins
- Underworld (1985) – Buchanan
- Eat the Rich (1987) – Mark
- The Fourth Protocol (1987) – Captain Lyndhurst
- Hellraiser (1987) – Frank Cotton / Frank The Monster (voice) (UK release) (uncredited)[citation needed]
- Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) – Frank Cotton / Frank The Monster (voice) / Skinless Frank (voice)
- For Queen and Country (1989) – Bob Harper
- Tangier Cop (1997) – Arthur Smith
- The Sea Change (1998) – Rupert
- One of the Hollywood Ten (2000) – Edward Dmytryk
- Gangster No. 1 (2000) – Bent Cop
- Joy Division (2006) – Harris
- A Mighty Heart (2007) – US Journalist
- Psychosis (2010) – Detective Sergeant
Television
[edit]Chapman’s television work is extensive, with leading roles in numerous single dramas and TV plays, including the films Made in Britain, Contact, and No Further Cause for Concern, all directed by Alan Clarke.
One of his earlier television appearances was as Coleman, part of a kidnapping gang in the hard-hitting police drama The Professionals; episode The Acorn Syndrome (1980). He also played Andrews, in a 1978 episode of Grange Hill. Other leading roles in television include The New Statesman (BBC), The Black and Blue Lamp (BBC), No Further Cause For Concern (BBC), Ellington (ITV), Peak Practice (ITV), Kavanagh QC (ITV), Midsomer Murders (ITV), Trial and Retribution V (ITV) and Murphy's Law (ITV). He has also featured in various episodes of French & Saunders and in Absolutely Fabulous. He appeared in the episode The Raven in the Foregate from the third series of Cadfael in 1997 as a medieval murder suspect and spy.
Chapman played Peter Tracey in the Doctor Who spin-off K-9 and Company in 1981 on BBC1. In 1995, he played Bonetti in Season 2, Episode 1 of Wycliffe.
Fiction
[edit]In a 2012 interview with Spooky Isles, Chapman shared candid reflections on acting, horror, and his transition into writing. [2] He described the gaps between acting roles as "increasingly agonising," a challenge that writing helped to alleviate by giving him creative autonomy.[2] Chapman’s fiction explores themes of eroticism, desire, and mortality, drawing inspiration from writers like Ian McEwan and Alain de Botton. His short story collection Ms Derby Requires delves into the "irrationality and sheer bloody awkwardness" of human passion.[2]
- A Distant Prospect (2010) – novel
- The Blood in the Moon (2012) – novel
- Ms Derby Requires (2013) – four short stories
- The Mason's Son (2017) – novel
Theatre
[edit]In 1991, Chapman originated the role of Prior Walter in the world premiere of Angels in America. [3]
Video games
[edit]- Battle Engine Aquila (2003)
- Crysis (2007) – Psycho
- Crysis Warhead (2008) – Psycho
- Crysis 3 (2013) – Psycho
References
[edit]- ^ "Sean Chapman – Biography". IMDb. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "Sean Chapman Interview – Actor, Hellraiser". Spooky Isles. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Angels in America". Theatricalia. Retrieved 28 June 2025.