In 2022, BBC premiered SAS: Rogue Heroes (2022-present), a scripted series centered around the Special Air Service’s (SAS) efforts in North Africa. The final episode of the first season teased “to be continued,” signaling a second would be airing in the future. The broadcaster dropped the new season’s official trailer on November 15, 2024, with the release date coming in early 2025.
SAS: Rogue Heroes premiered in the United Kingdom and the United States, among other countries, on October 30, 2022, to much fanfare – so much so that it became the sixth most-watched British series of the year.
Following the end of the first season, creator Steven Knight announced the series was renewed and hinted at when and where in the Second World War it would take place. “After the roaring success of Rogue Heroes I’m delighted to be embarking on the next chapter of the story,” he shared.”Series two will take the SAS into mainland Europe and will take our heroes to the limits of their endurance.”
Director of BBC Drama Lindsay Salt added in a statement, “The fantastic response and huge iPlayer figures for SAS Rogue Heroes is a testament to Steven Knight’s incredible skill for turning our history into modern must-see TV. BBC viewers have really taken this series to their hearts, and we’re delighted to be working with Steven and Kudos to bring the Rogue Heroes‘ exciting next chapter to life.”
In May 2023, BBC confirmed that filming for the new season of SAS: Rogue Heroes was underway in the Italy, the UK, Scotland and Croatia, with it wrapping up that September.
At the time, director Stephen Woolfenden wrote on X: “Wrapped on SAS Rogue Heroes 2!!! 81 shoot days, 6 episodes, 370’ish scenes, almost 2,000 slates across two units. Croatia, Italy, England & Scotland. Boats, planes, tanks, Jeeps, bicycles, donkeys, beaches, towns, castles and an extraordinary cast and crew. Thank-you all!”
Little has been released regarding what’s next for the characters, other than we’ll see them in action in Europe. The synopsis from BBC One reads:
“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?”
A host of familiar faces have returned for the second season of SAS: Rogue Heroes. Along with Connor Swindells (David Stirling) and Jack O’Connell (Paddy Mayne), Bobby Schofield (Dave Kershaw), Dominic West (Dudley Clark), Corin Silva (Jim Almonds), Jacob McCarthy (Johnny Cooper), Theo Barklem-Biggs (Reg Seekings), Jacob Ifam (Pat Riley) and Stuart Campbell (Bill Fraser) will also be returning.
New cast members will also be joining the crew, including Con O’Neill (Bernard Montgomery), Mark Rowley (Jock McDiarmid), Jack Barton (John Tonkin) and Gwilym Lee (Bill Stirling).
“The second chapter is even more incredible than the first and we hope to do justice to the brave men and women whose story we are telling,” Knight said in a press release put out by the BBC.
Lee added in an interview with RadioTimes in 2023, “It’s a privilege to tell the story of these heroes, these great, great soldiers and this incredible moment in history. The Second World War I’m always fascinated by because it was a moment that engaged everybody, everyone had to play their part.”
More from us: ‘D-Day 80th Anniversary’ Documentary Dives Into Turning Point of World War II
Want War History Online‘s content sent directly to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter here!
Season two of SAS: Rogue Heroes will premiere in the UK on January 1 2025, on BBC One, with it becoming available on BBC iPlayer soon after. It’ll be available to stream on MGM+ in the US two weeks later, on January 12. It’s anticipated there will be a third and final season following this one, based on previous quotes from Knight.
Leave a Comment