Cast Bios

SEAN BEAN (John Ryder)

Sean Bean gained international fame as Boromir in Peter Jackson’s multi-Academy Award-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy, part of an acting career that spans film, stage, and television.

The Sheffield native worked as a welder before turning to acting and undergoing classical training. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Mr. Bean’s notable initial starring roles on-screen included ones in Mike Figgis’ Stormy Monday (with Tommy Lee Jones, Sting, and Melanie Griffith); Jim Sheridan’s The Field (with Richard Harris, Brenda Fricker, and John Hurt); and Phillip Noyce’s Patriot Games (opposite Harrison Ford).

His next role made him one of the U.K.’s best-known stars; he was cast as novelist Bernard Cornwell’s enduring character Richard Sharpe, hero of the Napoleonic Wars, in the 1993 telefilm Sharpe’s Rifles. He starred in the role 14 more times for director Tom Clegg in subsequent telefilms, including the recently completed final project, Sharpe’s Challenge.

Mr. Bean’s other feature films include Martin Campbell’s GoldenEye (opposite Pierce Brosnan in his debut as James Bond); Bernard Rose’s Anna Karenina; John Frankenheimer’s Ronin; Terry Winsor’s Essex Boys; Gary Fleder’s Don’t Say a Word; Esmé Lammers’ family film Tom & Thomas; Wolfgang Petersen’s Troy; Jon Turteltaub’s National Treasure; The Island (directed by The Hitcher producer Michael Bay); Robert Schwentke’s Flightplan; Christophe Gans’ Silent Hill; and Niki Caro’s North Country (opposite Charlize Theron and Frances McDormand).

He roots for Sheffield United whenever and wherever satellite reception allows.

SOPHIA BUSH (Grace Andrews)

Sophia Bush is currently completing the fourth season of the popular television drama One Tree Hill, on which she has starred as Brooke Davis since the program’s debut. Born and raised in Pasadena, California, Ms. Bush was drawn to pursue acting while in high school.

Her previous features include Betty Thomas’ hit comedy John Tucker Must Die (with Brittany Snow, Arielle Kebbel, Ashanti, and Jesse Metcalfe); William Brent Bell’s Stay Alive; Steve Boyum’s Supercross; Walt Becker’s Van Wilder; and Newton Thomas Sigel’s telefilm Point of Origin (with Ray Liotta, John Leguizamo, and Bai Ling).

Ms. Bush’s other credits include a multi-episode guest arc on Nip/Tuck.

ZACHARY KNIGHTON (Jim Halsey)

With The Hitcher, Zachary Knighton marks his first starring role in a movie. Born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, he began his career in New York City with stage work.

Mr. Knighton’s earlier films include Martha Coolidge’s The Prince & Me (as the brother of Julia Stiles’ character) and Michael Burke’s critically acclaimed independent feature The Mudge Boy (with Emile Hirsch).

His television credits include a starring role on the sitcom Life on a Stick; and guest appearances on Law & Order and Ed, among other shows.

NEAL McDONOUGH (Lieutenant Esteridge)

Whether as leading man or character actor, in movies or on television, Neal McDonough is one of the industry’s busiest actors.

His notable performance as WWII soldier Buck Compton in the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning miniseries Band of Brothers was followed by a memorable turn in Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report and a starring role on the acclaimed television drama Boomtown. His performance on the latter earned him a Television Critics Association Award nomination. Mr. McDonough’s other television work also includes starring in the series Medical Investigation and making multiple guest appearances on such shows as The X Files and Murder One.

Most recently seen on-screen as one of the ensemble of Clint Eastwood’s Flags of Our Fathers, his other movies include Andrew Davis’ The Guardian; Kevin Bray’s Walking Tall; Richard Donner’s Timeline; Jonathan Frakes’ Star Trek: First Contact; William Dear’s Angels in the Outfield; and Jeff Hare’s independent short feature A Perfect Little Man, which earned him the Best Actor Award at the 2000 Atlantic City Film Festival.

Mr. McDonough next stars in several films, including Jon Avnet’s 88 Minutes (with Al Pacino); Michael Caleo’s The Last Time (with Michael Keaton); Paul Kampf’s American Gothic; and Ryan Little’s Forever Strong.

Raised in Cape Cod, Mass., he attended Syracuse University and later trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.

Mr. McDonough’s stage credits include productions of As You Like It, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Always Alone, with the latter earning him a Dramalogue Award for Best Actor.