Richard Sharpe, played by Sean Bean, rose from the ranks of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. Adapted from Bernard Cornwell’s novels, the series balances battlefield drama with political intrigue and personal conflict. While even the weakest entries offer entertainment and historical texture, some episodes stand taller due to tighter writing, stronger villains, and more focused stakes.
15. Sharpe’s Justice (1997)
Setting: England
Plot: Sharpe is sent home after Waterloo and becomes entangled in industrial unrest in Yorkshire. Removed from the battlefield, this episode shifts to social struggle and working-class rebellion.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Major Ross
- Captain George Wickham
- Parfitt (a corrupt mill owner)
Despite an ambitious attempt to explore Sharpe’s background, the story loses steam without a military backdrop. The local conflict feels constrained, and the tension never fully rises.
14. Sharpe’s Battle (1995)
Setting: 1813, Spain
Plot: Sharpe trains a group of inexperienced Irish soldiers and clashes with the Royal Irish. An arrogant English colonel complicates matters.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Sergeant Harper
- Colonel Runciman
- General Wellesley
There is a promising premise, but the antagonists lack bite and the pacing is uneven. Sharpe’s frustration at military incompetence is believable, but the final skirmish lacks weight.
13. Sharpe’s Revenge (1997)
Setting: Post-Waterloo France
Plot: Accused of theft and betrayal, Sharpe must clear his name while tracking a traitor in post-war chaos.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Lucille Castineau
- Major Ducos
- Captain Frederickson
Ducos as the villain helps, but the pacing suffers as Sharpe bounces between plot threads. His romance with Lucille never quite convinces, though the setting offers a welcome change.
12. Sharpe’s Regiment (1996)
Setting: England
Plot: Sharpe returns home to investigate why his regiment is not receiving reinforcements. He uncovers corruption at Horse Guards.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Harper
- Lord Fenner
- Jane Gibbons
The political conspiracy is intriguing, and the episode peels back layers of British bureaucracy. However, action is minimal and Sharpe feels sidelined until the final third.
11. Sharpe’s Peril (2008)
Setting: India
Plot: Sharpe and Harper escort a baggage train across dangerous territory. Bandits, betrayal, and old grudges emerge.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Patrick Harper
- Colonel Dragomirov
- Major Tredinnick
While it revisits the character with a more modern visual style, the long runtime and scattered focus weaken its impact. Still, it captures the sense of a perilous frontier.
10. Sharpe’s Challenge (2006)
Setting: India
Plot: Sharpe is recalled from retirement to rescue a British general and confront a warlord.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Patrick Harper
- General Burroughs
- Dodd
The Indian setting is visually rich and adds variety, though some plot contrivances distract. The chemistry between Sharpe and Harper remains strong, but the villains lack depth.
9. Sharpe’s Honour (1994)
Setting: Spain, 1813
Plot: Framed for murder, Sharpe must clear his name. The plot weaves courtly politics with battlefield vengeance.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Marquesa of Casares
- Major Ducos
- Wellington
Ducos returns as the calculating puppet-master. The tone is darker, and the stakes are personal. The honour duel premise elevates the drama, but some secondary characters feel underdeveloped.
8. Sharpe’s Siege (1996)
Setting: France
Plot: Sharpe leads a siege on a French fort while his wife lies ill. He is forced to balance duty and personal grief.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Harper
- Jane Sharpe
- Major Calvet
The emotional weight works well here, and the fort scenes are tight and grim. Calvet provides a worthy adversary, and the cost of war is deeply felt.
7. Sharpe’s Sword (1995)
Setting: Spain
Plot: Sharpe must protect a Spanish priest and uncover a traitor within the ranks.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Harper
- Colonel Leroux
- Lass, the mute woman
There is a gothic, almost noir quality here, with scenes set in candlelit crypts and interrogations. Leroux is a chilling villain. The climax is sharp and vicious.
6. Sharpe’s Company (1994)
Setting: Badajoz
Plot: Sharpe fights for his command and confronts old nemesis Hakeswill during a brutal assault on a fortress.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Hakeswill
- Harper
- Teresa Moreno
Raw and brutal, this episode showcases the chaos of siege warfare. The personal rivalry with Hakeswill erupts, and Sharpe’s desperation is palpable. A high point for visceral storytelling.
5. Sharpe’s Gold (1995)
Setting: Spain
Plot: Sharpe is ordered to retrieve Spanish gold from guerrillas, leading to a strange mission full of mysticism and treachery.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Harper
- El Casco
- Comandante Teresa
This one polarises viewers. Its surreal edge and mythic overtones set it apart, but it works due to commitment to tone. El Casco is a haunting, memorable figure.
4. Sharpe’s Eagle (1993)
Setting: Talavera
Plot: Sharpe must capture a French Eagle to redeem his name and restore honour after a disastrous skirmish.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Sir Henry Simmerson
- Harper
- Lieutenant Lennox
This is where the legend begins. Sean Bean seizes the role fully here, and Simmerson remains one of the best villains. The finale, involving the Eagle capture, is iconic.
3. Sharpe’s Rifles (1993)
Setting: Spain
Plot: Sharpe takes command of a group of riflemen and must earn their trust while escorting a spy to safety.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Teresa Moreno
- Sergeant Harper
- Major Blas Vivar
As the pilot, it lays down the key dynamics: class resentment, personal honour, military skill. It’s rougher in execution than later episodes but delivers on character and promise.
2. Sharpe’s Waterloo (1997)
Setting: Belgium
Plot: Sharpe is drawn into the Battle of Waterloo, navigating betrayal, battlefield horror, and the spectre of old enemies.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Lord Rossendale
- Lucille Castineau
- Wellington
This is an ambitious climax to Sharpe’s main arc. The scale is grand, the stakes final, and the action visceral. Wellington’s scenes are some of the best in the series.
1. Sharpe’s Enemy (1994)
Setting: Portugal
Plot: Sharpe confronts a coalition of deserters from all armies. With his lover and others captured, he risks everything to free them.
Main Characters:
- Richard Sharpe
- Harper
- Teresa
- Obadiah Hakeswill
The finest balance of personal stakes, military drama, and character resolution. Hakeswill’s downfall is brutal and satisfying. The pace never falters, and the script feels refined throughout.
Sharpe remains one of the most grounded and character-driven war series of its time. Even its weaker episodes maintain a level of grit and intent that sets it apart from standard period dramas. The episodes that top the list are those where Sharpe is caught between loyalty, vengeance, and duty, with the chaos of the Napoleonic Wars closing in around him.
