Rogue Heroes (Season 2) Series focuses on the swashbuckling battles fought by gutsy British SAS Soldiers Unit in Italy. It offers an entertaining account of the grim World War II.
Inspired by true events...
But be aware...
This is NOT a history lesson
Rogue Heroes (Season 2/2025) Were The Tip Of The British Spear In World War II, As They Decimated Axis Powers In Italy
Spoiler Free Review of the Rogue Heroes (Season 2/2025) Series
Trailers
Founded in 1941 by David Stirling, the Special Air Service (SAS) serves as a prominent special forces unit of the British Army. In case, you have come across this show for first time, then also check out the FM review of the Rogue Heroes (Season 1/2022) Series in our Focus Magazine, to get an idea.
Synopsis
Season 2 of Rogue Heroes presents a scenario where the unit confronts the possibility of disbandment, striving to demonstrate its relevance once more. So, in this dramatized historical series, David Stirling (Connor Swindells) and Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell) recount the formation of the British Army’s Special Air Service (SAS) during the direst moments of World War II.
Notably, a surprising ally emerges in the form of David Stirling’s rigid and formal brother, William Stirling (Gwilym Lee), who commands the SAS unit, in David’s absence. The six-part series in the second season poses a critical question: will the impetuous Paddy Mayne comply with the rules to ensure the unit’s survival, or will his disdain for authority hinder their progress?
Key details
| Genre | Action, Drama, Thriller, War |
| Original Language | English (UK) & a bit of Italian, German, French, etc |
| Season | Two (2) |
| Episodes | Six (6) |
| Show Creator | Steven Knight |
| Writers | Ben Macintyre (Book) & Steven Knight |
| Director | Stephen Woolfenden |
| Main Cast | Jack O’Connell (Paddy Mayne), Sofia Boutella (Eve Mansour), Connor Swindells (David Stirling), Gwilym Lee (Bill Stirling), Jacob Ifan (Pat Riley), Theo Barklem-Biggs (Reg Seekings), Stuart Campbell (Bill Fraser), Jacob McCarthy (Johnny Cooper), Bobby Schofield (Dave Kershaw), Corin Silva (Jim Almonds), Jack Barton (John Tonkin), Mark Rowley (Jock McDiarmid), Matthew Thomas-Robinson (Detachment Soldier), Jack Flower (Detachment Soldier), Luke McCarthy (Detachment Soldier), Dominic West (Dudley Wrangel Clarke), etc. |
| Networks | BBC, EPIX, MGM+, etc. |
World War II History
Before we delve into the season 2 of the series. Let us revisit the history of the brutal World War II. During World War II, the Axis Powers, which included Germany, Italy, and Japan, were countered by the Allied Powers, spearheaded by Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. Furthermore, five additional countries joined the Axis alliance: Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Croatia. Finally, the Allied Powers won the horrible Second World War, even though, millions died. It is often the case that history is recorded from the perspective of the triumphant.
Show creator Steven Knight’s screenplay & series
Steven Knight, the show creator of the (SAS) Rogue Heroes (2022-2025) has recreated the World War II battle saga in a flashy and flamboyant style. Inspired by the historical tales of bravery narrated in “SAS: Rogue Heroes (2016) Book” by Ben Macintyre, Steven Knight has sprinkled a fair amount of fearlessness, recklessness, madness and audacity into its adaptation for the small screen. However, do not expect depth and mature take on war.
Furthermore, Steven gives us well-etched-out characters and their typical British humour. Besides, the battle sequences were well-choreographed and a bunch of tragic war scenes made us emotional. All of these ingredients induced pathos, laughter, excitement and adrenaline rush among the average viewers like us. No wonder, once again (like the Peaky Blinders series), Steven Knight manages to make war history, an interesting watch. Also, the second season finale suggests that D-Day is going to be SAS’ next mission in Season 3.
Series Characters
The Special Air Service (SAS) Unit moves onto its next mission on a new terrain in the second season. Away from the deserts of Africa, they entered Europe to defeat the armed forces led by the dictator of Fascist Italy. But the style and gutsy ways of SAS soldiers remained intact. With David Stirling (Connor Swindells) still in jail, Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell) leads the special armed unit.
In this season 2, Paddy Mayne leads from the front and he has certainly emerged as the tough, foul-mouthed, charming and intelligent leader of the pack. He is forced to make many difficult decisions. We loved almost all the soldiers in the original SAS unit and their supporters. But they did not have much to do, except perhaps, Eve Mansour (Sofia Boutella), Bill Stirling (Gwilym Lee), Reg Seekings (Theo Barklem-Biggs), etc.
About Actors (Males & Females)
We liked the entire ensemble cast of the show. However, the performances of Jack O’Connell (Paddy Mayne), Sofia Boutella (Eve Mansour), Connor Swindells (David Stirling), Gwilym Lee (Bill Stirling), Theo Barklem-Biggs (Reg Seekings) did manage to impress us. Maybe because their characters were given more time and extra depth than others.
The conclusion
Despite its name, the Rogue Heroes were a charming and delightful lot, who entertained us on a baser level. On the first of January 2025, it was a wonderful show to binge-watch.
Rating of this 2025 British Series about World War II
| FM Rating | 4.00/5 |
Poster of the Rogue Heroes (Season 2/2025) Series
Spoilers Alerts – Summary of the Six Episodes of the Season 2
Synopsis of the Six (6) Episodes of the Second Season
First (S2, E1) Episode
As Paddy Mayne grapples with the death of his father, the capture of David Stirling, and the trauma suffered from the war thus far, he must turn his attention to fighting the threat of the SAS’s disbandment; the future of the unit comes under question. So, the SAS faces a new mission and potential disbandment, but an ally with a familiar name emerges.
Second (S2, E2) Episode
Paddy leads the SAS (now temporarily named the SRS) into Augusta, but the group is surprised to find the town empty. Making a base in the Chisea Madre Church, the men meet a priest who delivers a proposition—directly from the Sicilian Mafia. So, the SAS experiences camaraderie and hostility during their Sicilian deployment. Simultaneously, David Stirling, imprisoned at Gavi, receives an unanticipated guest.
Third (S2, E3) Episode
While the men of the SAS/SRS lead battle into Bagnara, in Berlin the issuing of a Commando Order from Hitler seeks to push the boundaries of war further and puts one of our soldiers in danger. So, in war-torn Italy, a SAS commando confronts a harrowing fate decreed by Hitler’s cruel Commando Order while fighting alongside the partisan resistance.
Fourth (S2, E4) Episode
As Paddy adopts a different approach towards authority, the traumatic toll that the war is having on the men becomes more visible; a captured soldier from the Regiment realizes that the Commando Order issued by Hitler may have sealed his fate. So, Reg Seekings forms an unlikely bond with an Italian child, but their friendship takes a dark turn, leading to further tragedy.
Fifth (S2, E5) Episode
As the captured soldier attempts to make his way back to the regiment, the SAS men receive a visit from two senior Generals. Bill worries that Paddy will cause trouble. At Gavi, David Stirling prepares to make another escape attempt. So, John Tonkin tries to return to the unit. The men of the SAS receive a visit from General Montgomery, who can smell drink and heroism.
Sixth (S2, E6)Episode
The SAS return to Britain and are given time to decompress from the events in Italy; Bill is shocked to hear about the intended role of the SAS in the invasion of France and makes his feelings known, much to the displeasure of the senior Generals. The SAS returns to Britain, preparing for the invasion of France. Meanwhile, David attempts another escape from Gavi.
Check out the fun action scene: Nothing gets in the way of a good tale | SAS Rogue Heroes - BBC | YouTube.
The Poster and Featured Image of the Rogue Heroes (Season 2/2025) Series are credited to MGM+ and BBC.