The second season of SAS Rogue Heroes has returned to BBC One, set in the spring of 1943. The reins of the SAS have been taken over by Paddy Mayne, portrayed by Jack O’Connell, following the capture of David Stirling, played by Connor Swindells.
The focus shifts from the North African conflict to mainland Europe, with Paddy facing challenges as GHQ casts doubt on the regiment’s future.
The team is further tested when a second unit and a wave of new recruits arrive. In the opening episode, Gwilym Lee takes on the role of William ‘Bill’ Stirling, the brother of Swindells’ character.
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Without revealing any spoilers, Paddy Mayne and William Stirling encounter each other under difficult circumstances, with both characters based on real-life war heroes.
Gwilym Lee plays Bill Stirling in SAS Rogue Heroes -Credit:BBC
William initially joined the Special Operations Executive (SOE), an intelligence agency, and assumed the position of Chief Instructor at Inveraillort.
During World War II, he established Popski’s Private Army, a unit later led by his cousin, Vladimir Peniakoff.
Also known as Penforce, the unit carried out a range of operations across Italy and the Balkans.
Lieutenant-Colonel Stirling was subsequently captured by Axis forces in North Africa, but despite being a prisoner of war, he continued to demonstrate exceptional leadership.
After his capture, he took command of a second SAS unit, guiding the unit towards his original vision of conducting parachute operations behind enemy lines to collect crucial intelligence.
Paddy Mayne and Bill Stirling in SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 -Credit:BBC
Bill Stirling is often hailed as the “brains behind the operation” in connection with the origins of the SAS.
Described in the SAS War Diary as a “man from the shadows”, he avoided the limelight.
Joining the SOE in March 1940, Bill set sail for Cairo in 1941 where the concept of a compact, specialized forces unit came to him, envisaged to be led by his brother David.
Despite early triumphs, David’s grasp on the nascent first SAS regiment waned.
Bill took charge of shaping a second SAS regiment. With Bill at the helm, 2SAS conducted operations with remarkable tenacity.
Their journey spanned Italy and France before cutting across Holland into Germany, yet their achievements are often eclipsed by the narratives centered on David.
Fans can stream SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 on BBC iPlayer.