SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 star wanted to do justice to tragic episode 4 storyline

*Warning – contains spoilers for SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 episode 4*

In essence, SAS Rogue Heroes is predominantly an exhilarating journey chronicling the SAS’s exploits during World War II, but it doesn’t shy away from depicting the brutal realities of warfare. This stark portrayal of conflict was particularly evident in season 2 episode 4.

In this installment, Reg Seekings, portrayed by Theo Barklem-Biggs, remained in Termoli while his team embarked on a task. As a seasoned soldier, he unexpectedly formed bonds with a local family, particularly a playful young lad.

In my opinion, when the fierce battles reached the town of Termoli, the unthinkable transpired – the entire family met a tragic end, claimed by a devastating German artillery strike. Miraculously, a young boy survived, but only to succumb to his injuries later on.

To end his suffering, Reg had to kill the boy himself, leaving him utterly devastated.

When asked about the difference between season 1 and season 2 from his viewpoint, Barklem-Biggs stated: “In the first season, I believe we delved into the surface of Seekings, if you will. We needed to introduce him, as well as many other characters, particularly Reg, and we focused more on revealing his inner self.

In simpler terms, “That was a significant distinction. For me, it implied, regrettably, stepping aside from the other boys. I didn’t fully isolate myself, but indeed, there was a heavy burden to bear.

Additionally, my aim was to accurately portray Reg’s true tale – even though our depiction is based on myth, there are instances where I believe he truly felt the impact. Observe him, he seems to be wrapped in a protective layer.

In the intriguing conversation found within Rogue Warriors, there’s an instance where his demeanor shifts slightly, revealing more about a particular situation. It appears that he tends to be reserved, but here, there are moments when he opens up just a bit.

Our goal was to delve deeper into his personality, revealing aspects typically hidden from view among most men. That proved to be the challenging aspect.

Barklem-Biggs pointed out that signs of strain in Reg’s psychological and emotional wellbeing became evident at the start of season 2, prior to his arrival at Termoli. This stress was primarily caused by the deeply troubling events of Operation Husky, which were depicted in the first episode.

The actor expressed that his character might have been struggling in some manner, but what we see on screen is an incredibly immersive portrayal for us viewers. We’re right there with them, in the heat of the action, and this kind of warfare seems quite distinct from what they’re accustomed to.

Barklem-Biggs shared that he became aware of Reg’s experiences in Termoli through reading the real-life figure’s obituary and Ben McIntyre’s book. He expressed his enthusiasm upon learning that they were planning to tell that story and bring attention to it, stating, “I was truly thrilled when I discovered they were tackling this story and shedding light on it.

As an actor, it was amazing to learn about that, and since I felt a personal connection to the real Reg, I was thrilled that they were able to tell his true story,” he shared.

“I think it’s really important, and it’s not just a genius stroke from [creator, Steven] Knight.

From what I can gather, it appears he was truly affected. In the Rogue Warriors documentary, there are moments where he seems to struggle subtly when discussing Italy.

To shed light on what we now know as PTSD, we needed to touch upon the person who was most deeply affected in the divide between Jock [McDiarmid] and perhaps Pat Riley. It’s intriguing how this tough individual concealed such raw vulnerability. I believe it was crucial, indeed.

SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.

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2025-01-13 01:33

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