Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight Working on New BBC One Drama

BBC One has commissioned a new drama series based on Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book SAS: Rogue Heroes, to be adapted by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Taboo, A Christmas Carol).

SAS: Rogue Heroes tells the story of how the world’s most renowned and ruthless Special Forces unit, the SAS, came to exist. It will tell the story behind the revolutionary thinking that led to the creation of a new form of combat and warfare in the deserts of North Africa.

The 6×1-hour drama will be produced by Kudos (Broadchurch, The Tunnel, Humans).

Knight said: “This will be a secret history telling the story of exceptional soldiers who decided battles and won wars only to then disappear back into the shadows. We will shine a light on remarkable true events informed by the people who shaped them.”

Piers Wenger, controller of BBC Drama, said: “It is an honor to be working once again with the great Steve Knight. SAS: Rogue Heroes will lift the lid on the origins of one of Britain’s most iconic institutions and explore the characters, courage and flaws of the men involved with all of the honesty and swagger we have come to expect from Steve.”

Karen Wilson, joint managing director for Kudos, added: “The fact that this project has moved so swiftly from development to commission is testament to the power of this story and Steven’s unique ability to draw the extraordinary, complex men at its heart. Imagine them being drawn with the same color, character and compassion as the iconic characters which feature across Steven’s work and you get a sense of the huge potential of this project.”

Martin Haines, joint managing director for Kudos, continued: “We are thrilled to be working with Steven on this epic project for the BBC. It’s a remarkable story, which in Steven’s hands has boundless scope, and is an indication of Kudos’ strategy to bring premium returning drama to our screens.”