Tom Hardy to Narrate Paramount+ UK Docuseries About the Special Air Service

Photo Credit: Dave J Hogan / Getty Images
Photo Credit: Dave J Hogan / Getty Images

Paramount+ UK has announced it’s tapped actor Tom Hardy to narrate a three-part docuseries about Britain’s Special Air Service (SAS). Title Special Forces: Most Daring Missions, it’s slated to offer unique insight into some of the unit’s most daring missions, including the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in London, United Kingdom.

Tom Hardy standing on a red carpet
Tom Hardy attending the gala screening of The Bikeriders at the Curzon Mayfair in London, United Kingdom, 2024. (Photo Credit: Lia Toby / Getty Images)

Special Forces: Most Daring Missions, has yet to receive an official release date, with little revealed, other than who’s involved in the project. It’s being co-produced by Soho Studios Entertainment and Two Rivers Media. Along with serving as narrator, Hardy will also be an executive producer, alongside the likes of Alan Clements and Ian Lamarra. David Whitney has signed on to direct, while Robert Neill has been named the series’ overall producer.

The production was commissioned by Federico Ruiz, Commissioning Editor, Factual and Non-Scripted at Paramount+.

Upon revealing Hardy’s involvement, Ruiz told the media, “We are really excited to have one of Hollywood’s biggest actors, and one of Britain’s greatest exports, narrating this brand new series. When you watch their extraordinary stories, it’s clear that the real-life exploits and bravery of these soldiers would put most silver screen superheroes to shame.”

Lamarra, who’s the co-founder of Soho Studios Entertainment, added, “Tom Hardy is the perfect narrator for this series. He is incredibly knowledgeable, absolutely passionate and respectful for the subject with his voice adding really premium flavor.

Exterior of the Iranian embassy in London, United Kingdom
Iranian embassy in London, United Kingdom, following the siege, 1980. (Photo Credit: Steve White2008 / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0)

Established during the Second World War by David Stirling, the SAS is one of the British Army’s most elite units. It is tasked with a number of high-level roles, including reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, hostage rescue and direct action, which has resulted in specific details about its missions being classified.

The SAS’ most notable operation occurred in mid-1980, when six armed assailants, calling for the sovereignty of Khuzestan Province, stormed the Iranian embassy in London and took 26 individuals hostage.

The rescue mission, dubbed “Operation Nimrod,” saw operatives force their way into the building through the windows, in order to rescue the hostages. They were able to save all but one, while also taking out five of the six hostage-takers. The sixth man was arrested and sentenced to 27 years in prison.

Tom Hardy standing on a red carpet
Tom Hardy attending the photo call for Venom at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles in Beverly Hills, California, 2018. (Photo Credit: Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic / Getty Images)

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Lamarra has suggested that, if Special Forces: Most Daring Missions does well, there’s potential for it to be expanded to include coverage of the US Army’s Green Berets, the US Navy SEALs and the US Marine Corps.

Clare Fitzgerald

Clare Fitzgerald is a Writer and Editor with eight years of experience in the online content sphere. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from King’s University College at Western University, her portfolio includes coverage of digital media, current affairs, history and true crime.

Among her accomplishments are being the Founder of the true crime blog, Stories of the Unsolved, which garners between 400,000 and 500,000 views annually, and a contributor for John Lordan’s Seriously Mysterious podcast. Prior to its hiatus, she also served as the Head of Content for UK YouTube publication, TenEighty Magazine.

In her spare time, Clare likes to play Pokemon GO and re-watch Heartland over and over (and over) again. She’ll also rave about her three Maltese dogs whenever she gets the chance.

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