Based on the novel by Ben Macintyre, the series will detail how the world's greatest Special Forces unit, the SAS, was formed under extraordinary circumstances in the darkest days of World War II. Eccentric young officer David Stirling (Swindells) is hospitalized after a training exercise gone wrong. Convinced that traditional commando units don't work, Stirling creates a radical plan that flies in the face of all accepted rules of modern warfare. He fights for permission to recruit the toughest, boldest and brightest soldiers for a small undercover unit that will create mayhem behind enemy lines. More rebels than soldiers, his team is every bit as complicated, flawed, and reckless as it is brave and heroic.
In addition to Swindells, O'Connell and Allen, the cast also features Dominic West, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sofia Boutella, Amir El Masry, Theo Barklem-Biggs, Corin Silva, Jacob Ifan, Dónal Finn, Jacob McCarthy, César Domboy, Michael Schaeffer and Miles Jupp.
Steven Knight developed the series, with Tom Shankland directing. They executive produce with Karen Wilson, Martin Haines, Emma Kingsman-Lloyd and Tommy Bulfin. BBC Studios, Kudos and Banijay Rights produce.
"Steven Knight and Kudos have created a gripping historical drama that complements Epix's lineup of elevated, cinematic storytelling," said Michael Wright, President, Epix and MGM Scripted Television. "We're delighted to be teaming up with Banijay Rights to give this series an exclusive home on Epix for the American audience."
