Sean Bean wins BAFTA for role in Broken

Sean Bean as Fr Michael Kerrigan

Sheffield actor Sean Bean has won a BAFTA for his lead performance in the BBC drama Broken. He collected his prize in a star-studded ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall last night.

Set in a Catholic community in the north of England, Broken tells the moving stories of the people and their parish priest Fr Michael Kerrigan.

Their poverty, grief, crime and family troubles all evoke his compassion, while he faces his own personal struggles.

Writer Jimmy McGovern said he was in no doubt about how he wanted the audience to feel about his main character: "He's a fantastic priest. He totally believes in the power of prayer… but he also believes that God helps people who help themselves."

Much of the series was filmed in the Jesuit Church of St Francis Xavier in Liverpool, known locally as SFX, and Parish Priest Fr Denis Blackledge SJ was on hand throughout the filming to act as a religious advisor.

See also ICN review: July 5th, 2017
Broken - Flawless depiction of a good priest - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/32931

See Sean Bean collecting his award: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcVM4tGSLzo