AN SAS Rogue Heroes star has revealed his shock at his character’s surprise return in series two, saying, ‘I was only ever meant to do the first season’.
Series one of the BBC drama focused on the war and the efforts of the Special Air Service regiment (SAS) in Cairo, Egypt during the Second World War.
The first series began as British Army officer David Stirling, played by Connor Swindells, created a special commando unit to infiltrate enemy lines, made up of the brightest, toughest, and bravest soldiers in the country.
As the second season of SAS Rogue Heroes airs on New Year’s Day, viewers will learn that David has been captured by German forces in Tunisia and taken to a prisoner-of-war camp.
The Sex Education actor revealed that his character’s story arch was supposed to come to an end after series one, telling The Radio Times: “I was only meant to do the first season. Steven Knight delivered episode one, and there I was, page 59.
“Then I got a call from the wonderful Stephen Smallwood asking what I was doing in the summer, I was truly delighted.
“We follow David through, and his frustration and his need for attention.”
With David gone, Lieutenant Colibek Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne, portrayed by Jack O Connell takes control of the SAS as the priorities shift from North Africa to mainland Europe.
However, the regiment must prove its contributions to the war as GCHQ pressures it.
The new series charts historical events taking place from spring 1943 onwards.
The book is based on Ben MacIntyre’s book SAS Rogue Heroes and Peaky Blinders’ Stephen Knight adapted it for the small screen.
Series one was a great success, amassing an audience of 9.4 million for its very first episode in 2022.
Domonic West returns as Dudley Clarke, Theo Barklem-Biggs is Reg Seekings, and Bobby Schofield is Dave Kershaw.
We will also see Corin Silva as Jim Almonds, Jacob Ifan as Pat Riley, Stuart Campbell as Bill Fraser and Jacob McCarthy as Johnny Cooper.
At the end of the last series, Stirling’s lover, Sofia Boutella, played by Eve Mansour, was missing and presumed dead after her plane was shot down, but as her body was never found, there is a chance for her to return in series two.
And Gwilym Lee will play David’s brother, Lieutenant Bill Stirling, the founder of the 2SAS regiment.
Meanwhile, Happy Valley‘s Con O’Neill will portray British Commander General Montgomery.
SAS: Rogue Heroes return for series two at 9pm on New Year’s Day on BBC One.
