As I delve into the captivating lives of these extraordinary individuals who dared to defy conventions and redefine warfare, I am struck by their unwavering courage and relentless spirit. The SAS Rogue Heroes, a band of brothers bound by shared hardship and camaraderie, embodied the epitome of resilience and determination during World War II.

BBC drama SAS Rogue Heroes is finally back, with its second season arriving on New Year’s Day 2025.

In a fresh installment, masterminded once more by Peaky Blinders’ originator, Steven Knight, we delve deeper into the authentic chronicles of the Special Air Service’s operations during World War II, as they strategically advance through Europe starting from Italy.

In the latest season, boasting another catchy soundtrack, we see a return of several cast members from the first season, such as Jack O’Connell, Connor Swindells, and Sofia Boutella. However, this season also introduces some significant new faces like Gwilym Lee and O’Neill.

However, who are the other actors featured in the series and what roles do they assume? Delve into this article to discover the cast lineup of SAS Rogue Heroes.

SAS Rogue Heroes cast: Full list of actors and characters

The following stars feature in the SAS: Rogue Heroes cast for season 2.

Jack O’Connell as Paddy Mayne
Connor Swindells as David Stirling
Sofia Boutella as Eve Mansour
Dominic West as Dudley Clarke
Gwilym Lee as Bill Stirling
Theo Barklem-Biggs as Reg Seekings
Corin Silva as Jim Almonds
Jacob Ifan as Pat Riley
Jacob McCarthy as Johnny Cooper
Stuart Campbell as Bill Fraser
Bobby Schofield as Dave Kershaw
Mark Rowley as Jock McDiarmid
Jack Barton as John Tonkin
Con O’Neill as General Montgomery

These are some of the additional stars who featured in season 1:

Alfie Allen as Jock Lewes
Tom Glynn-Carney as Mike Sadler
Dónal Finn plays Eoin McGonigal
Amir El-Masry as Dr Gamal

Jack O’Connell plays Paddy Mayne

What is Paddy Mayne’s background? Paddy Mayne is a historical figure, known for being a British army officer and one of the original members of the Special Air Service (SAS). In the show, he is depicted as an energetic individual who eventually becomes allied with David Stirling.

In season 2 he has taken command of the SAS, after David was captured.

Has Jack O’Connell been in anything else aside from these mentioned productions? Here are some of his notable roles: Unbroken, ’71, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Ferrari, Back to Black, Skins, Godless, and The North Water.

Connor Swindells plays David Stirling

In the series, we encounter David Stirling as a quirky, young army officer who initially served with 8 Commando. Later, he became recognized as the founder of the Special Air Service (SAS), a position that came about due to his dissatisfaction with the traditional military leadership and their approach towards strategy.

At the end of season 1 he was captured, and in season 2 is seen in a prisoner of war camp.

In an interview with TopMob magazine, Swindells shared that working on the BBC drama was unlike anything he experienced while producing “Sex Education.” He expressed it as, “They’re in a league of their own!

Teaching Sex Education mostly involves me traveling to Wales a few times weekly, staying silent, making a funny expression, and then returning home. However, my experience in the desert was extraordinary. Fortunately, I formed lifelong friendships during that time.

Apart from his role in Sex Education, Connor Swindells has also appeared in TV series such as Vigil, Jamestown, and The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin. He can also be seen in the films Emma, Barbarians, Barbie, and Scoop.

Sofia Boutella plays Eve Mansour

In simpler terms, who is Eve Mansour? – Eve Mansour is a fictitious character from a series. She serves as the second-in-command for French intelligence in Cairo during General de Gaulle’s leadership, and she often disregards established rules.

Sofia Boutella reveals that while Eve is a fictional character compared to historical figures like David Stirling or Paddy Mayne, she was a character that truly existed at the time. There were real-life spies such as Noor Inayat Khan and Virginia Hall who played significant roles in the Second World War liberation efforts. Similar to these remarkable women, Eve utilized methods that stemmed from her instincts and intelligence.

Has Sofia Boutella been involved in any other productions? Here’s a list of her notable films: The Mummy, Atomic Blonde, Star Trek Beyond, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Argylle, and she also stars in parts of Rebel Moon. Additionally, she recently made an appearance in an episode of Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities.

Dominic West plays Dudley Clarke

What can be said about Dudley Clarke? He was an actual SAS officer, known for being a trailblazer in the field of military camouflage and deceit tactics.

In his own words, Dominic West describes Dudley Clarke as the individual who initially conceived the Special Air Service (SAS). He is credited with naming it the SAS. However, according to him, before David Stirling joined and brought it to life, it was more of a propaganda device. So, in essence, Clarke claims he created the SAS, and that’s satisfactory for West.

Has Dominic West appeared in any other productions? Yes, he’s a versatile actor who’s known for shows like The Wire, Brassic, The Affair, and The Agency, as well as films such as Downton Abbey: A New Era, Tomb Raider, 300, Pride, and even portrayed Charles, Prince of Wales in seasons 5 and 6 of The Crown.

Gwilym Lee plays Bill Stirling

Bill Stirling is the elder brother of David Stirling, who in the second season engages Paddy Mayne in discussions about the destiny of the Special Air Service (SAS). In reality, Bill established the 2SAS, and within the series, he serves as Paddy’s connection to GHQ.

Other than the role he played in Bohemian Rhapsody and Here, Lee has also appeared in TV series like Fresh Meat, Midsomer Murders, Jamestown, and The Great.

Theo Barklem-Biggs plays Reg Seekings

Who is Reg Seekings? Reg Seekings was a real-life founding member of the SAS.

Has Theo Barklem-Biggs appeared in any other productions besides EastEnders, Silent Witness, The Fades, Silk, Cleaning Up, Carnival Row, The Inbetweeners Movie, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Journey’s End, Femme, Cherry and The End We Start From?

Corin Silva plays Jim Almonds

Who is Jim Almonds? He’s a genuine member of the Special Air Service (SAS) that Paddy relies on unconditionally and frequently sees as his moral compass and stabilizing influence within the series.

Has Corin Silva been a part of any other productions aside from The Bay, All the Light We Cannot See, Masters of the Air, and Stags?

Jacob Ifan plays Pat Riley

Who is Pat Riley? Pat Riley was a real-life member of the SAS in the Second World War.

Has Jacob Ifan been featured in any other productions aside from those mentioned? Here are some titles where you might recognize him: Cuffs, Bang, A Discovery of Witches, The Pact, and Tree on a Hill.

Jacob McCarthy plays Johnny Cooper

In simpler terms, Johnny Cooper was a soldier who fought alongside the Special Air Service (SAS) during World War II, particularly in North Africa and France.

Has Jacob McCarthy been involved in any other movies or shows, apart from The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Last Summer, AP Bio, and Mary & George?

Stuart Campbell plays Bill Fraser

Who is Bill Fraser? Bill was a real-life member of the SAS in the Second World War.

Has Stuart Campbell made any other appearances on television shows or movies aside from Baptiste, Clique, Hetty Feather, Professor T, The Winter King, and Shetland?

Bobby Schofield plays Dave Kershaw

Who is Dave Kershaw? Dave was a real-life member of the SAS.

Is there anything else that Bobby Schofield has starred in, apart from The Walk-In, The Suspect, Anne and Eric, and Inside No. 9? He’s been featured in several other shows as well.

Mark Rowley plays Jock McDiarmid

Who is Jock McDiarmid? Jock was a real-life member of the SAS in the Second World War.

Is there anything else on Mark Rowley’s acting resume apart from The Last Kingdom? He’s also been featured in shows like Luther, The Spanish Princess, The Witcher: Blood Origin, and One Day.

Jack Barton plays John Tonkin

Who is John Tonkin? John Tonkin was a real-life member of the SAS.

Has Jack Barton appeared in any other productions apart from Grantchester, War of the Worlds, Heartstopper, and Poor Things?

Con O’Neill plays General Montgomery

Who is General Montgomery? He is a high-ranking military leader in the British Army, with responsibility for the outcome of the Special Air Service (SAS) during the series.

Apart from the mentioned works, Con O’Neill has also appeared in other series and films.

Season 1 characters

Alfie Allen plays Jock Lewes

Jock Lewes was actually the initial founder and chief training officer of the Special Air Service (SAS), and in the beginning of the show, he discussed with Stirling the concept of deploying teams of soldiers by parachute for a surprise attack in the desert.

“He was pushing the boundaries in terms of what he would make his men,” notes Allen to the BBC.

Speaking with TopMob magazine, Allen commented on the contrast between creating this BBC drama versus Game of Thrones: “It was an entirely different experience. A completely new setting – and it was sweltering! Environmentally speaking, it remained tough.

Beyond the hit series ‘Game of Thrones’, where he played Theon Greyjoy, Alfie Allen, who is the son of Keith Allen and brother of Lily, has graced our screens in shows like ‘White House Farm’ and movies such as ‘John Wick’ and ‘The Predator’. He also has a number of other notable appearances in various series and films.

Tom Glynn-Carney plays Mike Sadler

What can be said about Mike Sadler? He’s a well-known individual and he was among the pioneers who served in the Special Air Service (SAS).

Has Tom Glynn-Carney acted in any other productions apart from House of the Dragon? Yes, he’s also been seen in The Last Post, The King, Tolkien, Dunkirk, and The Jetty.

Dónal Finn plays Eoin McGonigal

Eoin McGonigal was a real-life comrade in arms during World War II, serving with the Special Air Service (SAS), and he enjoyed a close friendship with Paddy Mayne.

Hasn’t Donal Finn been involved with anything other than Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, The Wheel of Time, and The Witcher?

Amir El-Masry plays Dr Gamal

Who is Dr Gamal? Dr Gamal is a doctor in Cairo and an ally of Stirling.

Apart from his notable role in Limbo, Amir El-Masry has graced other productions as well. He’s made appearances in McMafia, The Night Manager, Industry, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and he played a young Mohamed Al-Fayed in flashbacks for season 5 of The Crown.

On New Year’s Day, starting at 9pm, SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 will be aired on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Meanwhile, you can catch up with season 1 of the series right now on BBC iPlayer.

If you’re seeking other entertaining content, explore our TV Schedule or check out our Drama section for additional coverage. To stay updated on top TV talent, don’t forget to tune into The TopMob Podcast.

2024-12-23 17:35

Meet the cast of SAS Rogue Heroes season 2