Jack O’Connell makes stance clear on BBC SAS Rogue Heroes ‘glamorising violence’ backlash
BBC SAS Rogue Heroes star Jack O’Connell has revealed his thoughts on claims the World War Two show “glamourises” violence.
The series, from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, follows the formation and first missions on Britain’s legendary special forces unit, with O’Connell, 34, starring as SAS co-founder Lieutenant Paddy Mayne.
Rouge Heroes second series sees the cast trade the Moroccan desert of Britain’s 1941 North African campaign for the 1943 invasion on Italy.
O’Connell reprises his role along with fellow star Connor Swindells as lieutenant David Stirling with Midsomer Murders veteran Gwilym Lee joining the cast.
The swashbuckling show, while dramatising real historical figures and events, is replete with punch ups, shoot outs and a raucous punk soundtrack.
Responding to the accusation that Rogue Heroes “glamorises” violence, O’Connell admitted: “I don’t know if I’ve got a counterargument for that.”
The 34-year-old suggested that the actions of the men portrayed were perhaps worthy of glorifying, given the importance of the conflict they took part in.
“The actions of these fellas are responsible for the liberty we have,” he continued while speaking to Radio Times.
O’Connell explained that resistance to Nazi Germany and Fascism was “amazing” and seemed to be content with further burnishing the SAS legend.
“If it (the show) glamorises violence in doing so, then… I don’t know,” he concluded tellingly.
Despite the show’s macho shoot-em-up tone, Rogue Heroes constantly draws upon the exhaustive and “forensic” research of author Ben Macintyre’s book – from which the show is adapted.
O’Connell explained the book is used as a reference on set as much as a script to inform the productions approach and the cast’s performances.
While the cast were not baked in the North African desert for the second series, shooting locations in Croatia that stood in for Italy proved equally challenging.
“If any of us approached it expecting it to be a whole lot easier, there would have been a rude awakening,” O’Connell said with a chuckle.
With only six episodes, the Rogue Heroes had to pack in landing in Italy, freeing captured comrades while going up against the Germans and the Mafia.
Fitting all that in required exacting schedules which O’Connell admitted required strong mental and physical fitness from the cast and crew.
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“It’s got to be because of the subject matter,” he reflected on the importance of doing the SAS story justice.
Despite O’Connell’s dedication, some fans were unimpressed by his rendition of Mayne’s Northern Irish accent.