Gwilym Lee

As a supporter of this captivating series, I wholeheartedly endorse adding “SAS Rogue Heroes” to your watchlist without any hesitation! The character I find myself deeply engaged with is none other than Lieutenant Colonel Bill Stirling, the elder brother of David Stirling, portrayed by the exceptionally talented Tom Stourton.

Add SAS Rogue Heroes to your watchlist

In the second season of “SAS Rogue Heroes“, who is the role of Lieutenant Colonel Bill Stirling that you’ll be portraying?

He’s the older brother of David Stirling. In the second series, we find David in a prisoner-of-war camp. The Special Air Service (SAS) is somewhat adrift, with Paddy Mayne behaving erratically. However, Bill steps in to guide him back on track, ensuring the SAS’s continued existence.

How did you prepare for the role?

There’s a wealth of literature on the topic, but Bill isn’t as extensively discussed as David. This discrepancy hints at an intriguing tale. Bill appeared less inclined towards seeking the spotlight and may not have been as preoccupied with his enduring impact. It was fortunate for me to connect with Archie Stirling, Bill’s son, who graciously offered his time and provided images of Bill. Viewing him in a family context offered a fresh perspective on his character.

If you were to act as Connor Swindell’s on-screen brother, did you discuss how we might make our performances enhance each other?

Absolutely! I saw the initial season, and his acting was simply remarkable. He was more than just a colleague – he’d keep me company with frequent texts while I was getting ready. On my first day on set, he even sent a good luck message. However, there was a hint of Connor feeling restless because he wasn’t directly involved in the action. Many of us actors are going through emotions similar to our characters in this series.

It was a real band of brothers – they welcomed me as a new recruit

Is Bill considered a high-ranking individual compared to Mayne’s disorganized crew when the cameras weren’t rolling? Did any of you interact socially during that time?

Absolutely. They truly formed a close-knit group, reminiscent of brothers. The excellence of the cast is evident, as they have all worked together before and made us feel part of their team. We felt a sense of duty to uphold the story’s integrity and honor these characters. Thus, we were all working towards this larger narrative.

How did you come to acting?

I hail from Birmingham, but my theatrical journey led me to a drama collective known as the Central Television Workshop, nestled in Nottingham. Interestingly, Jack O’Connell was also part of this troupe at the same time. Sponsored by ITV, it provided an incredible learning experience for a wide array of individuals who might not have had opportunities in acting otherwise due to various circumstances.

In the blockbuster hit movie Bohemian Rhapsody, you portrayed Brian May, a role that made it the highest-grossing and award-winning music biopic of all time. Has this experience boosted your career to new heights?

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t deny the incessant ringing of my phone and the countless scripts I politely declined. Yet, the increased interest was undeniable, serving as a benchmark for comparison. Instead of entering an audition room to persuade others, they often expressed genuine admiration: “I loved that movie you were in!” And just like that, I landed the role in The Great. Whether my performance in Bohemian Rhapsody paved the way for this opportunity remains a question mark.

Have you stayed in touch with Brian May?

Occasionally, I receive a text or email here and there. He affectionately refers to me as his brother. I remember the first time Anita Dobson laid eyes on me, fully geared up – she was genuinely startled, exclaiming something along the lines of, “Oh my goodness, you look exactly like him!” in her distinctive EastEnders’ Angie tone.

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2024-12-21 00:06