SAS Rogue Heroes,” the riveting BBC One drama, returned on January 1st for its second season. Based on Ben MacIntyre’s acclaimed book, the series delves into the origins of the Special Forces, spotlighting Lieutenant David Stirling, portrayed by Connor Swindells, and his band of daring comrades.
This season continues to mix historical facts with high-octane fiction, featuring characters inspired by real-life war heroes.
The narrative follows the gritty development of the original SAS, with Connor Swindells reprising his role as Lt. Col. David Stirling and Jack O’Connell as Major Paddy Mayne, offering a blend of action, strategy, and intense drama.
“It’s all guns, death, and plenty of punch-ups,” as the series showcases the raw challenges faced by this pioneering squad.
Season two, filmed in Croatia, picks up directly after the dramatic events leading to David’s capture.
Let’s take a look at the true stories behind the special forces drama.
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(Image: BBC)
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Archibald David Stirling
David Stirling, a visionary Scottish officer in the British Army, founded the Special Air Service (SAS) during the Second World War.
Recognizing the potential impact of a small, highly trained team, Stirling proposed that such a group could execute surprise attacks on multiple targets in a single night. His ambitious plan took him to the Middle East headquarters in Cairo, where he presented his ideas directly to General Sir Claude Auchinleck, the Commander-in-Chief.
While the Axis powers were misled by rumors of a non-existent “desert air regiment,” Stirling, alongside co-founders John “Jock” Lewes and Paddy Mayne, navigated the challenges of the desert to establish and equip their new unit. Their initial operation amusingly involved requisitioning supplies including tents, bedding, and even a piano from a nearby New Zealand regiment, which they accomplished over several trips.
David Stirling passed away in November 1990 at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of daring and innovation in military tactics.
In the television series, the role of David Stirling is portrayed by Connor Swindells, known for his performance as Adam Groff in ‘s Sex Education.
Swindells expressed his admiration and respect for the legendary figure via , stating: “What a privilege to have stepped into the sandy boots of David Stirling. I can’t wait for everyone to see this. It’s almost time.”
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SAS Rogue Heroes: David Stirling is played by Connor Swindells (Image: BBC)
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Blair “Paddy” Mayne
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Blair “Paddy” Mayne was a prominent British Army officer and a key figure in the founding of the SAS. Hailing from Newtownards, Mayne was not only a skilled soldier but also an accomplished sportsman. His journey with the SAS began when his friend, Lieutenant Eoin McGonigal, recommended him to David Stirling, the founder of the SAS.
Mayne’s tenure with the SAS was marked by daring and strategic night raids across Egypt and Libya from November 1941 to the end of 1942. During these missions, his team was instrumental in destroying enemy aircraft on the ground. His leadership and valor led to his promotion in January 1944, when he was appointed as the Commanding Officer of the re-formed 1st SAS Regiment.
Mayne’s legacy continues to be honored in his hometown, where a bronze statue stands in Conway Square and the western bypass is named after him. Tragically, his life came to an early end when he died in December 1955 at the age of 40, found dead in his car under mysterious circumstances.
In the series portraying the SAS, Mayne is brought to life by Jack O’Connell, a 32-year-old English actor known for his roles in “Skins” and “This Is England.” O’Connell shared with Radio Times that filming was incredibly challenging, describing it as “the toughest one yet,” and emphasized the importance of teamwork, both with castmates and crew.
He expressed hope that their efforts would resonate with viewers, saying: “What makes it worthwhile is what you have with your castmates and crew, and then you hope that what you’re doing it for is going to be conveyed on screen.”
SAS Rogue Heroes: Jock Lewes is played by Alfie Allen (Image: BBC)
Lieutenant John Steel “Jock” Lewes
Jock Lewes, a distinguished British Army officer during the Second World War, was instrumental as the founding principal training officer of the Special Air Service (SAS). His significant role in the formation of the SAS was underscored by David Stirling, who regarded Lewes as equally foundational to the unit, stating he was “just as much a founding member of the SAS as him.”
Lewes’ contributions to military strategy included the creation of the SAS explosive device known as the Lewes bomb. His promising career was abruptly ended when he was killed in action in December 1941, at the age of 28.
The National Army Museum honored his legacy, stating: “Lieutenant ‘Jock’ Lewes was a dedicated professional soldier who excelled as a special forces officer. As the co-founder of the Special Air Service (SAS), he played a vital role in establishing the unit’s ethos and high standards of training and discipline.”
In the television series that dramatizes these historical events, Lewes is portrayed by Alfie Allen, a 36-year-old actor known for his role as Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones and Brett Collins in White House Farm.
SAS Rogue Heroes: Dudley Clarke is played by Dominic West (Image: BBC)
Lieutenant Colonel Wrangel Clarke
Inspired by the real-life Brigadier Dudley Wrangel Clarke, Lieutenant Colonel Wrangel Clarke is a character deeply embedded in the strategic fabric of the British Army during the Second World War. Known for his pivotal role in military deception operations, he was an instrumental founding member of the SAS.
After the war, he turned to writing war histories and retired from the military in 1947. He passed away in May 1974 at the age of 75. Journalist Nicholas Rankin honored his legacy by calling him “the greatest British deceiver of WW2, a special kind of secret servant.”
In the dramatized series, this character is brought to life by Dominic West, a 53-year-old actor, director, and musician celebrated for his roles in “The Wire” and “The Affair.”
Mike Sadler
At 102 years old, Mike Sadler is the only surviving founder member of the SAS and has endorsed the new series.
His wartime contributions are legendary, notably parachuting into Nazi-occupied France in a highly daring mission during the Second World War. For his bravery, he was made a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur in 2018, 74 years post-operation.
Brought into the SAS by David Stirling, Sadler was pivotal in launching night-time raids against Axis airfields in Libya and quickly became the unit’s premier navigator, adept at guiding raiding groups across the challenging expanses of the desert.
His character is portrayed by Tom Glynn-Carney, a 27-year-old actor known for his role in the film “Dunkirk.”
SAS Rogue Heroes: Paddy Mayne is played by Jack O’Connell (Image: BBC)
Reg Seekings
Reg, a distinguished SAS sergeant major, was among the earliest recruits to the Special Air Service. His heroics during World War II are commemorated with new street signs in his home village of Ely.
Wendy Fox, chair of Stuntney Village Council, told the Ely Standard, “His dangerous missions during the war earned him very prestigious gallantry awards. It is with great pride that we see one of our locals remembered; he is very well-decorated and is one of our claims to fame.”
Starting his career as a farmhand at 14, Reg ascended to squadron sergeant major and participated in the SAS’s inaugural operation in Libya at the Battle of Gazala. His valor was further recognized when he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal after surviving an attack in Italy in 1943, where a mortar round hit a truck carrying 24 of his platoon members, leaving only two survivors.
Reg passed away at age 78 in March 1999. In the series, his character is portrayed by Theo Barklem-Biggs, known for his roles in the World War One drama Our World War and the comedy series Crims.
Walter Essner and Herbert Brückner
Walter Essner and Herbert Brückner were German prisoners of war captured in late 1941. Both claimed anti-Nazi sentiments and were recruited as agents to train Jewish volunteers in German military procedures and jargon.
In the dramatization, Walter is played by Paul Boche, a 35-year-old German actor recognized for his work in Zazy and Rondo.
Herbert is portrayed by Moritz Jahn, a noted German actor and musician celebrated for his role in the series “Dark.”