Summary
SAS: Rogue Heroes is a historical drama series that depicts the formation of the SAS during WWII, with a confirmed season 2 set in mainland Europe.
The show showcases a skilled and accomplished ensemble of actors, including Connor Swindells, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Allen, and Sofia Boutella.
Every actor adds depth and genuineness to their respective characters, with Swindells depicting the SAS founder, O'Connell portraying a rugged and fearless soldier, and Allen embodying a highly intelligent member of the SAS.
The ensemble cast of SAS: Rogue Heroes comprises actors portraying real-life historical figures who fought in World War II. The BBC series, based on Ben Macintyre's book of the same name, depicts the origins of the SAS in the Western Desert campaign. Season 1 starts in 1941 in Cairo, Egypt, where British Army officer David Stirling (played by Connor Swindells) conceives the concept of an elite special forces unit. SAS: Rogue Heroes has been praised for its accurate depiction of historical events and has confirmed a second season set in mainland Europe. The show's success is also attributed to its exceptional ensemble cast, which consists of talented actors who are not necessarily household names but deliver outstanding performances. They bring depth to their roles, effectively portraying the historical figures while making them feel authentic and relatable.
Connor Swindells As David Stirling
Connor Swindells portrays David Stirling in SAS: Rogue Heroes, where he embodies the role of the esteemed founder and leader of the Special Air Service. Despite being the focal point of the show, Stirling's filmography boasts fewer credits compared to his fellow cast members. He made his on-screen debut in 2017 with appearances in Harlots and Jamestown, eventually securing a prominent role as Adam Groff in the acclaimed series Sex Education.
In the realm of film, Swindells can be seen in Emma as Robert Martin and Barbie as Aaron Dinkins, a dedicated employee at Mattel. Notably, his portrayal as a British soldier in SAS: Rogue Heroes is not the first time he has explored such a role, as he impeccably depicted Lieutenant Simon Hadlow in the BBC One series, Vigil.
Jack O'Connell As Paddy Mayne
Paddy Mayne, portrayed by Jack O'Connell in SAS: Rogue Heroes, is hailed as one of the co-founders of the SAS. Mayne embodies the archetype of a tough and resilient soldier who finds solace in both the thrill of battle and the indulgence of drinking and boxing. O'Connell's portrayal of Mayne resonates with his notable role as James Cook in Skins, where he mesmerized audiences with his portrayal of a hard-partying troublemaker who also possessed a compassionate side. O'Connell's versatility extends beyond these roles as he has showcased his talent in other projects such as The Runaway (Eamonn Docherty), Godless (Roy Goode), and The North Water (Patrick Sumner). Furthermore, O'Connell has made a mark in the film industry, with notable performances in 300: Rise of an Empire (Calisto), Money Monster (Kyle Budwell), and Unbroken (Louis Zamperini).
Alfie Allen As Jock Lewes
Jock Lewes, portrayed by Alfie Allen in SAS: Rogue Heroes, is one of the founding members of the SAS and served as the team's initial training officer. Known for his efficiency and remarkable intellect, Lewes is credited with the creation of the renowned Lewes bomb, an incendiary device that carries his name. While Allen gained immense recognition for his exceptional portrayal of Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones, earning an Emmy nomination in 2019, his career extends beyond this iconic role, predominantly in the realm of film. Allen assumes the role of the villainous Iosef Tarasov in the first John Wick film, and he also brings characters like Lynch in The Predator, Finkel in Jojo Rabbit, and Victor in Netflix's Night Teeth to life.
Sofia Boutella As Eva Mansour
Sofia Boutella, a non-English cast member of SAS: Rogue Heroes, portrays Eva Mansour, a character who contributes romance and character development to the story. Despite being a fictional creation for the series, Mansour seamlessly integrates and adds value. Boutella initially pursued dancing, gaining recognition through appearances on Dancing with the Stars and her role as Eva in Street Dance 2. Transitioning into acting, Boutella wasted no time and swiftly made her mark in blockbuster productions. Notably, she captivated audiences as Gazelle in Kingsman: The Secret Service, Jaylah in Star Trek Beyond, Princess Ahmanet in The Mummy, Delphine Lasalle in Atomic Blonde, and Nice in Hotel Artemis. Moreover, Boutella's upcoming projects include a role as Kora in Zach Snyder's Rebel Moon.
Dominic West As Dudley Clarke
Dominic West stars as Lieutenant Colonel Dudley Clarke, a crucial figure in British intelligence and co-founder of the SAS, the British Commandos, and the United States Rangers, in the cast of SAS: Rogue Heroes. With his charismatic and charming demeanor, Clarke is portrayed brilliantly by West, who is renowned for his role as Detective Jimmy McNulty in The Wire. In addition, West showcased his talent by embodying Prince Charles in The Crown, demonstrating his exceptional ability to impersonate notable British personalities.
Beyond these notable performances, West has an impressive career, portraying protagonist Noah Solloway in The Affair, earning him a Golden Globe nomination in 2015. He has also appeared in 300 as Theron, Hannibal Rising as Inspector Pascal Popil, Money Monster as Walt Camby, and lent his voice to Rudder the sea lion in Finding Dory. West's remarkable versatility allows him to seamlessly transition between sinister and sincere characters, utilizing his natural charm to bring them to life.
Tom Glynn-Carney As Mike Sadler
Mike Sadler, played by Tom Glynn-Carney, joins the SAS after successfully rescuing them from their initial failed mission. He initially assists the other SAS operatives on upcoming missions before officially being accepted into the service. Glynn-Carney, a renowned figure in historical British epics, has showcased his talent in various notable roles. These include portraying Peter Dawson in Dunkirk, the older Christopher Wiseman in Tolkien, and the ill-fated Henry "Hotspur" Percy in The King. With SAS: Rogue Heroes, Glynn-Carney has once again demonstrated his versatility in handling different periods of English history. Notably, his portrayal of the elder Aegon II Targaryen in House of the Dragon has contributed to his recognizable presence in the industry.
Theo Barklem-Biggs As Reg Seekings
The character of Reg Seekings in SAS: Rogue Heroes is portrayed by Theo Barklem-Biggs. Seekings is an early member of the SAS and one of the few survivors of their initial mission. While he remains composed and level-headed under pressure, he becomes extremely ruthless when pushed into a corner. Barklem-Biggs made his first on-screen appearance in 2008 as Carl in a single episode of The Bill. Since then, he has had notable television roles including the character of Jake Milner in Silk and a recurring role as DC Firth in The Fades. In addition, Barklem-Biggs shares the screen with his SAS: Rogue Heroes co-star Boutella in Kingsman: The Secret Service, where he portrays the character Ryan, and he also plays Sergeant North in Cherry.
Jacob Ifan As Pat Riley
Pat Riley, a former member of the SAS in SAS: Rogue Heroes, is renowned for his boxing skills. In his first major role, portrayed by Jacob Ifan, Riley's character comes to life. Ifan, with a limited resume, has only been seen in four television shows and the movie I'll Find You, where he played David Rosenwald. His television debut occurred in 2015 when he took on the lead role of PC Jake Vickers in Cuffs. Following that, he portrayed Trystan Meilir in Hinterland, Sam in Bang, and Benjamin Fuchs in A Discovery of Witches. Additionally, Ifan can be seen in season 2 of the BBC One drama The Pact as Gethin.
Corin Silva As Jim Almonds
Corin Silva takes on the role of Jim Almonds in the cast of SAS: Rogue Heroes. Sergeant Almonds, also known as "Gentleman Jim," is a composed and collected soldier who strives to maintain his dugout in impeccable order and prefers to refrain from using profanity. This marks Silva's debut in a prominent role on television, although he previously appeared in two episodes of The Bay as Jack Overton and one episode of the miniseries Temple as Kieran. In the realm of film, he made an uncredited appearance in Escape Room: Tournament of Champions and portrayed David Vaughan in Dark Ditties Presents 'Dad'.
Bobby Schofield As Dave Kershaw
Dave Kershaw, portrayed by Bobby Schofield, is a dedicated volunteer who joins up with SAS after the unit is formed. Known for his appearances in various TV and movie productions, Schofield has showcased his talent in a range of roles. On TV, he mesmerizes viewers as Matt Hankinson in The Walk-In, Bobby Moran in The Suspect, and Parsifal in ten episodes of Knightfall. In the world of film, Schofield is seen alongside his SAS: Rogue Heroes co-star Barklem-Biggs in Cherry, where he brings the character Clover to life. He also leaves a lasting impression as Steve Kersher in The Covenant and as Jared in Don't Breathe 2.
SAS: Rogue Heroes Supporting Characters
Johnny Cooper, portrayed by Jacob McCarthy, serves as a dedicated SAS volunteer. McCarthy also takes on the role of Wheyface in Joel Coen's The Tragedy of Macbeth and showcases his talent throughout 13 episodes of A.P. Bio, playing the character Devin.
Stuart Campbell portrays Bill Fraser in the cast of SAS: Rogue Heroes, a young volunteer for the SAS. Campbell is known for his notable roles as Jack in Hetty Feathers, Alex Chambers in Baptiste, and Fraser in Clique.
Amir El-Masry plays the role of Dr. Gamal, the doctor who assists David Stirling in his recovery in Cairo, in SAS: Rogue Heroes. El-Masry has appeared in several major television and film franchises, including Star Wars: Episode XI - The Rise of Skywalker as Commander Trach, a young Mohamed Fayed in The Crown, and Ibrahim in Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan.
Dónal Finn portrays the character of Eoin McGonigal, a close friend of Paddy Mayne and a SAS soldier. Finn also stars as Mat Cauthon in The Wheel of Time series and as Albert the baker in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
Adrian Lukis takes on the role of Claude Auchinleck, the Commander-in-Chief of British operations in the Middle Eastern Theater, in SAS: Rogue Heroes. Lukis is best known for his portrayal of Dr. Hargreaves in Judy, and he has primarily worked in television. Some of his notable TV appearances include Wickham in Pride and Prejudice and Blair Toast in Toast of London.
Virgile Bramly takes on the role of Georges Bergé, a French officer collaborating with the SAS. Bramly is best known for his portrayal of Stellit Foster in Kali and has also made a guest appearance as Eliott in Luther.
Paul Boche portrays Walter Essner, a member of the French Foreign Legion who joins the newly established SAS. Boche has made brief appearances in acclaimed television series such as Babylon Berlin, The Lazarus Project, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
César Domby portrays Augustin Jordan, a French army member undergoing training with the SAS, in the series SAS: Rogue Heroes. Known for his memorable TV roles as Guy de Leval in The Borgias and Fergus Claudel Fraser in Outlander, Domby brings his talent to this character.