But the Peaky Blinders actor has revealed to Metro.co.uk the OG plan was to well and truly kill off the gangster at the end of the first season until the Sky Atlantic drama’s team had a change of heart.
Explaining he had only signed a one-season deal, the 33-year-old said: ‘When [Gangs of London creator] Gareth Evans cast me in the show back in 2019, it was on the agreement that Sean was going to capitulate at the end of it.
‘He was going to commit numerous atrocities across London and then get his just desserts at the end.
‘But as we move through the story and the arc during filming there were these quiet conversations about perhaps leaving it a little more ambiguous.’
After deciding to leave an open ending, Joe said the team warmed to the idea of his return as ‘as an attempt to an epic surprise and something fun for the fans’.
Joe, who confessed he was ‘nervous’ about keeping Sean’s return a secret, revealed at one point he feared the twist was going to get ruined as a paparazzi showed up during filming.
He said: ‘And as soon as I saw that I thought, “Jesus, we’re gonna give the game away on the first bloody day.’
However, fortunately for Gangs of London fans, they left moments before Joe began filming his scene.
He also said some of the new crew members, who hadn’t worked on season 1 and weren’t in the know about Sean’s return, were bemused to see him on set.
Laughing, Joe added: ‘They just looked at me like that’s the guy from Peaky Blinders and I was thinking do they not even know I’m in this show. Oh my god. It was so funny I’m not even gonna bother correcting them.’
The first instalment of the tense thriller followed Sean as he set out to avenge his father Finn’s (Colm Meaney) murder, taking out adversaries left, right and centre without a second’s thought.
However, as his family got closer to discovering the circumstances around his killing, their criminal organisation implodes, with the betrayal of close friends the Dumanis and right-hand man Elliot Finch (Sope Dirisu), who is an undercover cop.
After uncovering the truth, Sean, Elliot and Alex Dumani (Paapa Essiedu) have a dramatic showdown which results in Sean taking a bullet to the check and left for dead.
The second episode of Gangs of London season 2 follows Sean’s brother Billy (Brian Vernel) as he struggles with grief and vows to take out Elliot for murdering his sibling.
But the attempt to kill Elliot goes wrong with a huge fight erupting over Billingsgate Market, with Billy just about escaping the crossfire by jumping into a river.
A hooded figure who had been driving in a red car then comes along and pulls Billy out of the water, who turns out to be none other than Sean to Billy’s utter shock.
Gangs of London is available to stream on Now.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Gangs of London star Pippa Bennett-Warner reveals ‘heartbreak’ over shock death: ‘It was tricky’
MORE : Gangs of London’s ‘squeamish’ fans warned avoid watching ‘terrifying’ scenes – by the show’s actual producer
For all the latest Entertainment News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
