BBC SAS Rogue Heroes blasted for ‘atrocious’ inaccuracy over key character as expert points out ‘terrible’ flaws
SAS Rogue Heroes returned to BBC One for a second series this month, with the wartime drama receiving a rather mixed response from viewers.
Now, author Damien Lewis has hit out at the portrayal of real-life war hero Blair “Paddy” Mayne, detailing the “atrocious” inaccuracy of the character.
The Northern Irish army officer is depicted in the series by Jack O’Connell, whose attempt at an Irish accent has sparked considerable backlash from fans.
Lewis, who has penned several books on the SAS, has noted several other supposedly disappointing features of O’Connell’s Paddy.
“It’s atrocious,” the expert argued, elaborating: “First of all, there’s the accent, which is terrible.
“Also, Paddy Mayne never swore — in fact, he was staunchly against it.”
Backing up his claim, he went on: “There’s one story I covered in SAS Forged in Hell.
“There’s an incident when they’re training to go into Italy, in the mountains of north Africa — punishing, horrendous training Paddy was putting them through, knowing how hellish it is going to be for these lads, knowing the men had to be the best of the best.
“So he’s putting them through his hellish night march and the men start complaining and swearing.
“He stops them and delivers a stream of horrendous invective in their direction. He says, ‘See, I know all the swear words, but I don’t use them and neither will you under my command,'” the author told Belfast Telegraph.
The series is based on Ben Macintyre’s book of the same name, with the show emphasising the drama is “inspired by true events” but noted it should not be taken as a “history lesson”.
Another point Lewis made was that Paddy had apparently been soft-spoken, but is seen in the series shouting frequently.
Seething over the current show, he asked the publication: “He is the perfect character as he really was. Why in the name of God would you fictionalise that to make him as portrayed on the BBC?”
Actor O’Connell, 34, recently shared his own thoughts on the series as he touched on the argument that it “glamourises” violence.
“I don’t know if I’ve got a counterargument for that,” he admitted.
He went on to note to the Radio Times: “The actions of these fellas are responsible for the liberty we have.”
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O’Connell explained that resistance to Nazi Germany and Fascism was “amazing” and seemed to be content with further burnishing the SAS legend.
“If [the show] glamorises violence in doing so, then… I don’t know,” he concluded.
SAS Rogue Heroes comes from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and follows the formation and first missions of Britain’s legendary special forces unit.
GB News has contacted the BBC over Lewis’ criticisms of the series.