'Perfect' BBC drama that is the 'best war series' and has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes

An underrated war drama has been named the "best war series" - and it is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. SAS Rogue Heroes is a British historical drama television series that has been created by Steven Knight. It first aired in 2022 and is made up of two seasons, with a third being filmed this summer.

The first series depicts the origins of the British Army Special Air Service (SAS) during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The storyline is a widely accurate representation of real-life events, as described by Ben Macintyre in his book of the same name, published in 2016. The second season is focused on the SAS operations in the European theatre of war.

The series synopsis reads: "The series begins in a Cairo hospital in 1941, when, after a failed training exercise, British Army officer David Stirling has the idea of creating a special commando unit that could operate deep behind enemy lines."

SAS Rogue Heroes has received critical acclaim despite not being the most talked-about show. It has garnered an impressive 100% score from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Their consensus states: "With a terrific cast inhabiting this roster of likeable rapscallions, Rogue Heroes is a fun throwback to down-and-dirty adventure stories."

It was listed on Military.com as "The Best TV War Epic" and described as "perfect" by a fan of the series.

Antony Beevor of the Guardian commented that the series was "unmissable viewing", and that it "achieved the right balance of irreverence and admiration all the way through with a brilliant contrast in characters".

A top critic said: "It's superbly directed by Shankland, an immersive orchestration of sensations, though never losing sight of the characters that are at its centre, with occasional unexpected moments of humour."

An audience reviewer said: "A fast-paced, pithy and totally engaging series against a believable historical storyline set in the spectacular Moroccan desert. The AC/DC musical score provides an edgy, contemporary feel. Characters are well-developed and eminently likeable. The series draws you in and becomes a must-watch. Modern English storytelling at its best!"

SAS: Rogue Heroes is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.