I’m always a sucker for a good World War II history story, whether this be a documentary or a dramatization of events. This is why I was very surprised to learn that there was a BBC series called SAS: Rogue Heroes out there and it completely went under my North American radar. Not only that but, despite its original U.K. title, it’s not a docuseries. This is a dramatization of the formation of the S.A.S. during World War II and one that comes with quite a bit of pedigree behind the camera. It was a big hit overseas too, with a second series already in the pipeline, but on this side of the pond, there’s been little to no fanfare for this 2022 release. So I figured, hey why not spread the word, if I didn’t know about it then there’s a good chance there are others who didn’t know about it and if you’re a fan of WWII history, then you should look into it.

Based on the novel of the same name by Ben Macintyre (which I did read some time ago now), Rogue Heroes is the seemingly outrageous story of the formation of the Special Air Service during the Second World War. When you think of special ops, you probably think of highly regimented and professional individuals, but this couldn’t be further from the truth when talking about the origins of the unit. Think more like the Inglourious Basterds, if they were real. The unit was the brainchild of David Sterling (Barbie and Sex Education’s Connor Swindells), a failed painter and a drunkard who was fed up with the British high command dithering over everchanging maps and the gentlemanly rules during the war. He wanted to create a unit of degenerates, thugs, sociopaths and other charming individuals who would be answerable to no one as they parachuted behind enemy lines with the intent of sabotaging German supply lines while operating undercover in North Africa.

The show was created and written by Steven Knight, who is perhaps best known as the creator of Peaky Blinders. So if you’re anything like me, your interest in this show immediately shot up upon learning of his involvement. Much like that crime epic set in post-World War One England, this story makes use of contemporary music to give its scenes a bit of an edge to complement its characters. While period-accurate music can be heard in the night clubs and records of the time, parachute training will instead be set to AC/DC while Black Sabbath will close out an episode. The quick and often funny dialogue envokes Guy Ritchie if he opted to direct Brad Pitt in Tarantino’s aforementioned Basterds. Knight makes sure to keep the dialogue rapid and laced with humour, but also never veers into comedy. This is still a serious wartime narrative and while the soldiers may lack respect or decorum, the show still plays it as a drama.

Joining Swindells is the always fantastic Jack O’Connell as Paddy Mayne, a rough yet poetic Northern Irishman and Game of Thrones‘ Alfie Allen as Jock Lewes, a demolitions expert and the one who thought of the parachute angle. The Crown’s Dominic West serves as the spy at the top of the ladder, working closely with Sofia Boutella’s Eve Mansour, a French-Lybian spy and the only fictitious character in the show, but one still rooted in history by being an amalgamation of a few historical characters. In fact, that’s one thing the show does very well, historical accuracy. If you enjoy a piece of entertainment that also doesn’t stray far from the source material, then this is a great pick for that fact alone. Each episode opens with a title card stating that “the events depicted which seem most unbelievable… are mostly true” and that hammers home just how outrageous these soldiers were. Something like a wounded Sterling sneaking into HQ to speak with a general without a pass may seem like something written for TV, but it checks out based on historical sources. In fact, Steven Knight stated that he had to tone down some of the shenanigans out of fear of losing the audience’s sense of belief in the action.

Honestly, the only real issue with Rogue Heroes is that it’s too damn short! At six episodes in length, I was left wanting more of this rock’n’roll World War Two drama. But too much of a good thing may also have become an issue, as the show doesn’t have any real pacing issues, so it’s something of a catch-22. Despite being total maniacs, the characters are all really likable and fleshed out, the action is grounded and the story is outrageous enough that you can’t help but keep watching. I’d say if you like Tarantino, Ritchie and Knight’s own original work, check this one out. It’s a great watch.