Band of Brothers, Masters of the Air, and The Pacific are often considered among the best TV series depicting World War II, but there’s now another winner in this streaming battle. Created by Steven Knight (the Peaky Blinders creator who is currently writing the next James Bond movie), this two-part show is an essential addition to the war genre. Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers may be the titles you always think of when discussing the war genre, but this TV masterpiece just might be the next best thing.
The Best Modern Take on the Depiction of WWII – Just Take It With a Grain of Salt

SAS: Rogue Heroes follows a small group of British operatives as they form the Special Air Service (SAS) during World War II. David Stirling (Connor Swindells), Jock Lewes (Alfie Allen), and Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell) decide to break a few rules from the book of military action, and they come up with an unconventional team the enemy will never see coming. As they enter the battlefield, the SAS gains recognition from high-ranking commanders, but the ongoing missions also bring them closer to the deadly realities of war. Even though every episode begins with a disclaimer that the show is based on true events – and one that was slightly altered for Season 2 – the show has been somewhat criticized because of its lack of accuracy. Historian Damien Lewis believes Jack O’Connell’s portrayal of Paddy Mayne is far from truthful, reminding viewers why the disclaimer makes it clear that SAS: Rogue Heroes isn’t a history lesson. Regardless of being divisive, the series has been met with critical acclaim, and today, sits at 100% on the critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. By comparison, both Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers hold a 94% score. Others, such as The Bridge on the River Kwai and The Best Years of Our Lives, are at 96% and 97%, respectively.
‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’ Season 3: Here’s What We Know

SAS: Rogue Heroes premiered on BBC One in October 2022 to very good reviews. The show offered war genre connoisseurs a fresh twist on the classic stories, with colorful characters that were nothing like they had seen in other World War II movies and shows. Although it was renewed quickly, Season 2 took a couple of years to be released on MGM+, where it is currently streaming. The series has been renewed for a third season, which is currently in development. Season 3 was confirmed one year ago, but so far, there hasn’t been any news as to when it will premiere. While it seems like a stretch, the show could still return in 2026, giving a much-needed resolution to the cliffhanger in the Season 2 finale. Let us remember that the last time we saw Paddy Mayne and his comrades, they were preparing to parachute into Normandy to fight German forces.

In the meantime, until Season 3 drops, fans are keeping SAS: Rogue Heroes alive on streaming. The show continues its streak on MGM+, and per the latest update to the streaming charts, this war masterpiece sits at No. 5 in the streamer’s top 10 list of most-watched titles.

Release Date

2022 – 2025-00-00

Network

BBC One

Directors

Tom Shankland, Stephen Woolfenden

Writers

Steven Knight

Connor Swindells

David Stirling

Jack O’Connell

Paddy Mayne