SAS: Rogue Heroes – the Authorized Wartime History

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SAS: Rogue Heroes – a historical drama depicting the fascinating true story of how the famed Special Air Service was formed – is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer. The six-part series has been created by Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight, and is based on the bestselling book of the same name by historian Ben Macintyre. Filming has just begun on series two of the hit BBC drama SAS Rogue Heroes, created by Steven Knight and made by Kudos (a Banijay UK company) for the BBC with MGM+.

And yet six months later his Victoria Cross was downgraded to his fourth DSO instead. It’s not known who took this decision, or why, but it remains a wartime controversy that is still ongoing. Steven Knight has said that "Series two will take the SAS into mainland Europe and will take our heroes to the limits of their endurance."

They fight to keep Paddy’s legacy alive, and are keen to point out that the ‘muscle for hire’ image many people remember him for doesn’t tell the full story. For instance, they reveal he carried a poetry book called Other Men’s Flowers into battle – and SAS: Rogue Heroes does show this side of him, as we see Mayne reciting poetry in prison during the first episode. They also tell the story of how – when his best friend Eoin McGonigal (played by Donal Finn in SAS: Rogue Heroes) was killed in action, Paddy gave up his leave to go and search for Eoin’s grave, putting himself in considerable danger, and wrote a heartfelt letter to Eoin’s mother sending his condolences. The incredible untold story of WWII’s greatest secret fighting force, as told by our great modern master of wartime intrigue Despite the intense opposition of many in British High Command, Winston Churchill personally gives Stirling permission to recruit the toughest, brightest and most ruthless soldiers he can find. And so begins the most celebrated and mysterious military organisation in the world: the SAS. The actual release date for SAS Rogue Heroes Season 2 is unknown, but it has been confirmed that filming will take place in 2023. Impeccably researched, superbly told - by far the best book on the SAS in World War II' Antony Beevor

Those who have read the book will know that it spans not just the North Africa campaign, but also leading the assault into Europe through Italy and across the continent - so we know that there is more to come.SAS Rogue Heroes stormed on to BBC One and iPlayer last Autumn, becoming a huge hit with viewers and critics alike, attracting an audience of 9.4 million viewers (30-day all screens episode 1 figure). Inspired by Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book of the same name, series two will again be a dramatised account of the origins of the world’s greatest Special Forces unit, the SAS. A boxer, a Northern Ireland rugby star and reportedly an excellent shot, Robert Blair “Paddy” Mayne went into the Second World War with many ideal qualities for a soldier, and also had a reputation as a rambunctious personality.

By far the best book on the SAS in World War II—impeccably researched and superbly told. Marcus Luttrell, U.S. Navy Seal, author of Lone Survivor wrote: Of course, David Stirling is captured towards the end of Season 1. Stirling was captured in 1943, subsequently escapes and is recaptured, before finding himself in Colditz for the rest of the war. There's an obvious storyline following Stirling, but much of that might just be a distraction to the rest of the SAS story. As well as telling the story of the birth of the famous SAS regiment, this is also the foundation story for special forces units the world over. Will there be an SAS Rogue Heroes Season 2?Spring, 1943. With David Stirling captured and Paddy Mayne now in charge of the SAS, their attention must turn from the conflict in North Africa to mainland Europe. But GHQ have cast doubt over the future of the regiment, while the creation of a new unit and a surprise arrival make things even more difficult for the men. Can they prove that the SAS remains essential to the war, wherever it may lead them?