SAS: Rogue Heroes Is The Best WWII Show You Haven't Seen

TV shows about World War II have always been appealing, yet one series with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score starring a Game of Thrones alum hasn't found the mainstream success it deserves. Over the years, stories that explore World War II have evolved from simply focusing on the war's historical movements and battlefield action to portraying the emotional consequences for soldiers, the behind-the-scenes espionage, and the war's resistance movements.

The beauty of World War II narratives is that there are always new angles, perspectives, and locations to explore, resulting in vastly different stories that use the same historical context. One such story is the BBC's and MGM+'s underrated 12-part WWII series, SAS: Rogue Heroes, created by Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight, which depicts the origins of the British Army's Special Air Service (SAS). With Rogue Heroes’ slick humor and unlikely heroes, the series has found critical acclaim, resulting in a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes critics' score (the audience score stands at a highly respectable 86%).

While the whole cast of Rogue Heroes plays a crucial role in establishing the series as one of the best WWII shows of recent years, Game of Thrones’ Alfie Allen, who plays real-life WWII hero Jock Lewes, is an undeniable highlight. Unlike Allen’s hated and pitiable character, Theon Greyjoy, in Game of Thrones, Lewes is calm, disciplined, and dedicated to his men. He isn't impulsive, and his integrity earns him the respect of his trainees. Allen’s GOT performance is one of the highlights of his career, but Rogue Heroes deserves just as much praise.

SAS: Rogue Heroes Is A Darkly Funny WWII TV Show

Stories about WWII often have a somber tone, and understandably so, given the heavy subject matter. However, SAS: Rogue Heroes, based on Ben Macintyre's semi-fictional novel of the same name, refuses to treat the topic with the genre's usual solemn reverence. The series instead uses a dark sense of humor, perfectly capturing the chaotic nature of its protagonists.

The SAS unit is filled with soldiers who don’t fit the definition of a military man. They're not polished, and they don't see orders as something they have to follow, but rather as suggestions. Rogue Heroes leans into this, embracing its protagonist's defiance of authority and the various comedic and terrible ways their plans go wrong.

This is not to say that Rogue Heroes makes fun of World War II or treats its history and real-life impact lightly. The series shines because it understands that humor is a balm for the soul. In the end, the moments of humor counterbalance the heavy consequences of war and the scary missions the soldiers have to undertake.

SAS: Rogue Heroes Is Perfect All The Way Through

Many TV shows start perfectly but fall off as their stories gain momentum. Rogue Heroes doesn’t suffer from that issue, probably because, like many British shows, it only features six episodes per season. The WWII series fully commits to its identity throughout after establishing that it isn’t a run-of-the-mill story about the Second World War.

Although short, the series ensures a decent amount of time is allocated to its protagonists, developing their characters with care and understanding. For instance, Connor Swindells' character, David Stirling, doesn't remain the irresponsible soldier we meet in the first episode. He eventually evolves while maintaining the chaotic and recognizable parts of his personality. His development fits with his experiences in the war.

Alongside its strong character work, Rogue Heroes is genuinely a visual feast and a true cinematic marvel. The scorching North African deserts are beautifully shot, and it upholds that standard throughout its two-season run. With a third, six-episode season on the way — production began in September 2025, as reported by the BBC — there's no better time to discover the series for the first time. SAS: Rogue Heroes might not get the same recognition as Band of Brothers and other popular war stories, but it's a masterpiece that deserves its acclaim.

All episodes of SAS: Rogue Heroes are available to stream now on MGM+.