The wait is over for fans of SAS: Rogue Heroes, the electrifying BBC drama created by Steven Knight that has redefined World War II storytelling with its raw intensity and bold style. Season 3, set to premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on July 13, 2026, thrusts viewers into the heart of summer 1944, as Lieutenant-Colonel Paddy Mayne and his elite Special Air Service (SAS) unit parachute deep into Nazi-occupied France. Tasked with missions that defy belief, the SAS face the mighty German army in a high-stakes fight where every heartbeat is a gamble, every shadow hides betrayal, and survival is anything but guaranteed. With a stellar cast, a pulse-pounding soundtrack, and Knight’s signature blend of historical grit and cinematic flair, Season 3 promises to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen—a visceral, unforgettable chapter in the saga of the world’s greatest special forces unit.

A Critical Moment in the War

Set against the backdrop of the Allied liberation of Western Europe, SAS: Rogue Heroes Season 3 picks up in summer 1944, as the D-Day landings ignite a pivotal phase of World War II. The season builds on the events of Season 2, which saw the SAS, under Paddy Mayne’s command, spearhead the Allied invasion of Sicily and southern Italy in 1943. With David Stirling (Connor Swindells) captured by the Germans, Mayne (Jack O’Connell) has taken the reins, leading his rogues into their most perilous missions yet. The new season focuses on the SAS’s operations in France, where they parachute behind enemy lines to disrupt German supply lines, sabotage infrastructure, and support the French Resistance in preparation for the Allied advance.

The stakes are higher than ever, as Hitler’s Commando Order of 1942 decrees that captured SAS operatives face summary execution, making every mission a life-or-death gamble. Knight, the creator behind Peaky Blinders, has teased a season that’s “bloodier and more brutal” than its predecessors, with the SAS confronting not only the German army but also the psychological toll of relentless warfare. The narrative will explore operations like Houndsworth and Wallace, where Mayne and his team coordinated with the French Maquis to wreak havoc on Nazi forces. From blowing up rail networks to ambushing convoys, the SAS’s daring tactics aim to create chaos, but the cost to their lives and souls looms large.

Paddy Mayne: The Complex Heart of the SAS

At the center of Season 3 is Jack O’Connell’s portrayal of Paddy Mayne, the towering Irishman whose blend of courage, ferocity, and vulnerability makes him one of the SAS’s most iconic figures. A rugby international, boxer, and solicitor from Newtownards, County Down, Mayne is depicted as a warrior-poet whose leadership inspires unwavering loyalty, yet whose personal demons—fueled by alcohol and the trauma of war—threaten to unravel him. O’Connell’s performance, described as “blood-curdling” and “magnetic,” captures Mayne’s contradictions: a man who tears apart enemy airfields with his bare hands, yet mourns deeply for his fallen comrades.

Season 3 delves into Mayne’s evolution as a commander, picking up after he assumed leadership following Stirling’s capture in 1943. His unorthodox style—marked by calculated risks and fearless audacity—drives the SAS to new heights, but also draws scrutiny from military brass. The season will explore his pivotal role in operations like the capture of Oldenburg, where Mayne single-handedly cleared a path for Allied forces, and his coordination of jeep-based raids that left German communications in tatters. Yet, the narrative doesn’t shy away from his struggles with post-traumatic stress, a theme Knight weaves into the series with sensitivity, showing the toll of losing men under his command.

A Stellar Ensemble and New Faces

The returning cast is a powerhouse, with Jack O’Connell leading as Paddy Mayne, joined by Sofia Boutella as Eve Mansour, a fierce French-Algerian intelligence operative whose cunning bolsters the SAS’s efforts. Dominic West returns as Dudley Clarke, the British Army officer whose deceptive strategies complement the SAS’s unconventional warfare. The core SAS team includes Theo Barklem-Biggs as Reg Seekings, Corin Silva as Jim Almonds, Jacob Ifan as Pat Riley, Jacob McCarthy as Johnny Cooper, Stuart Campbell as Bill Fraser, Bobby Schofield as Dave Kershaw, and Jack Barton as John Tonkin, whose survival of Hitler’s Commando Order in Season 2 sets up a gripping arc. Connor Swindells also reprises his role as David Stirling, now a prisoner of war, whose scenes in a German camp add a parallel narrative of resilience and defiance.

New additions bring fresh energy to the series. Lorne MacFadyen joins as Reverend Fraser McLusky, a chaplain offering spiritual support to the battle-worn SAS, while Nick Hargrove, Andrew Dawson, and Jake Jarratt play new recruits who integrate with the French and Belgian Maquis. Their inclusion reflects the SAS’s collaboration with local resistance fighters, adding cultural depth to the story. The ensemble’s camaraderie, a hallmark of the series, shines through in scenes of banter and brotherhood, even as the horrors of war test their bonds.

A Cinematic Spectacle with Historical Roots

Based on Ben Macintyre’s bestselling book, SAS: Rogue Heroes blends historical accuracy with dramatic license, delivering a semi-fictionalized account of the SAS’s exploits. Season 3, filmed in the UK and France, boasts stunning visuals, from the moonlit fields of Normandy to the rubble-strewn streets of occupied towns. Director Stephen Woolfenden, known for Outlander, helms the season with a kinetic style, capturing the chaos of nighttime parachute drops and high-speed jeep chases. The production’s authenticity is enhanced by military advisors, ensuring accurate depictions of SAS tactics, from silenced Sten guns to Lewes bombs, the homemade explosives that defined their early raids.

Knight’s signature touch—an anachronistic rock soundtrack—returns with bangers from AC/DC, The Clash, and The Cure, amplifying the SAS’s rebellious spirit. The music, paired with Brian H. Kim’s intense score, creates a visceral atmosphere, making scenes like a daring raid on a German airfield feel like a punk rock fever dream. The season’s six episodes, each approximately 60 minutes, balance action with quieter moments, such as Mayne’s reflective conversations with McLusky or Eve’s tense negotiations with the Maquis. The budget, reportedly exceeding £50 million, allows for ambitious set pieces, including a 20-minute sequence recreating the SAS’s sabotage of a Nazi train, touted as the season’s centerpiece.

Themes of Sacrifice and Survival

Season 3 doesn’t just glorify the SAS’s heroics—it confronts the human cost of their missions. The show explores the psychological scars of war, with Mayne and his team grappling with the loss of comrades like Eoin McGonigal, whose death in Season 1 left a lasting impact. The narrative hints at Mayne’s complex personal life, including his rumored shyness around women, which some interpret as a coded exploration of his inner conflicts. While the series has faced criticism for exaggerating Mayne’s brashness—historians note he was soft-spoken and empathetic—it uses these traits to humanize him, showing a man shaped by the crucible of war.

The SAS’s collaboration with the French Resistance adds a layer of moral ambiguity, as alliances are tested by betrayal and conflicting agendas. Eve Mansour’s role as a liaison highlights the contributions of women in the war effort, while new recruit Josephina (Genesis Rodriguez), a Maquis fighter, brings a fierce perspective to the team. The season also addresses the SAS’s defiance of Hitler’s Commando Order, with scenes depicting the execution of captured commandos, underscoring the brutal stakes of their missions.

A Season Unlike Any Other

SAS: Rogue Heroes Season 3 stands out for its unflinching portrayal of courage and chaos, blending the adrenaline of Inglourious Basterds with the emotional depth of Band of Brothers. Knight’s scripts elevate the series beyond typical war dramas, weaving themes of loyalty, trauma, and defiance into a narrative that’s as heart-wrenching as it is thrilling. The show’s 100% Rotten Tomatoes score for Seasons 1 and 2 reflects its critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its “irresistible energy” and “remarkable ensemble.” Fans on social media have echoed this enthusiasm, with posts like “Paddy Mayne in Season 3 is gonna break me” and “This is the war drama we didn’t know we needed.”

The season’s focus on 1944’s pivotal battles, from Normandy to the push into Germany, positions it as a climactic chapter in the SAS’s story. Operations like Houndsworth, where Mayne coordinated with the Maquis to disrupt German supply lines, and Wallace, where jeeps roared through enemy territory, are brought to life with breathtaking intensity. Yet, the series never loses sight of the human toll, with Mayne’s leadership tested by the loss of men and the weight of command.

Why It’s Worth Watching

Premiering on July 13, 2026, on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, with MGM+ streaming in the U.S., SAS: Rogue Heroes Season 3 is poised to be a global event. Distributed by Banijay Rights to platforms like HBO Max in Europe and Paramount+ in Germany, the series will reach a wide audience. Its six-episode arc ensures a tight, impactful narrative, with each episode escalating the tension as the SAS push deeper into enemy territory. The return of Jack O’Connell as Paddy Mayne, alongside a talented cast and Knight’s visionary storytelling, guarantees a season that’s both a visual spectacle and a profound exploration of war’s cost.

Whether you’re drawn to the heart-pounding action, the complex characters, or the historical intrigue, SAS: Rogue Heroes Season 3 delivers an experience unlike anything else on television. As Paddy Mayne and his rogues defy the odds, their story is a testament to the courage and sacrifice of the SAS, reminding us that even in the darkest shadows of war, heroism shines through. Prepare to be gripped, shaken, and moved—this is one war epic you won’t forget.