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.
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.
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.
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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.