NEW YORK (AP) – British actor Sean Bean is known to American audiences for the villains he’s played, so he says it’s nice to be able to show his sympathetic side in “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.”

Bean plays the regally flawed human Boromir in the Peter Jackson-directed film, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy.

“Over here I’m sort of seen as the villain really,” he told reporters recently. “This film has given (me an) opportunity to move away to more sympathetic roles.”

He added, “I’ve really thoroughly enjoyed playing in `Patriot Games,’ `GoldenEye’ and `Don’t Say a Word.’ They’re very rewarding. But it’s nice to let (people) see the other side of you.”