Knight said Macintyre’s books were “so brilliantly written and comprehensive so they gave an overview of what happened,” and he added: “Then sort of into the first-hand accounts, I’m always very keen to use first-hand accounts, so the diaries and the accounts of the people who were there. The EPIX drama is based on Ben Macintyre’s non-fiction history book of the same name, and creator Steven Knight told Newsweek how he used Macintyre’s work and also met with one of the original SAS members, Mike Sadler (played by Tom Glynn-Carney in the show), to tell the unit’s story in the drama. Stirling, Paddy Mayne and Jock Lewes were three of the groups founding members, with Lewes acting as the training officer, while Mayne helped lead the team alongside Stirling, before taking over the unit. It focused on operating behind enemy lines to attack the armed forces of the Axis powers. In real life, the SAS was founded by Scottish British army officer David Stirling, played by Connor Swindells, with the unit operating as a commando unit within the British Army. SAS: Rogue Heroes is based on the creation of the real Special Air Service during World War II in 1941. Is ‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’ Based on a True Story? Here is everything you need to know about the story and how much of the drama really happened, ahead of its premiere on Sunday, November 13. Starring Connor Swindells, Alfie Allen, and Jack O’Connell as David Stirling, John Steel “Jock” Lewes, and Paddy Mayne, the founding members of the SAS, the show examines the development of the unit. There's an obvious storyline following Stirling, but much of that might just be a distraction to the rest of the SAS story.SAS: Rogue Heroes is EPIX’s new war drama which follows the founding of the British Special Air Service (SAS). Stirling was captured in 1943, subsequently escapes and is recaptured, before finding himself in Colditz for the rest of the war. Of course, David Stirling is captured towards the end of Season 1. We also know - spoiler alert - that Jock Lewes (Alfie Allen), one of the founding fathers of the regiment - doesn't make it out of Africa and despite his early influence, much of the focus will be on Paddy Mayne (Jack O'Connell) and David Stirling (Connor Swindells) moving forward. Those who have read the book will know that it spans not just the North Africa campaign, but also leading the assault into Europe through Italy and across the continent - so we know that there is more to come. Steven Knight has said that 'Series two will take the SAS into mainland Europe and will take our heroes to the limits of their endurance.' What to expect from SAS Rogue Heroes Season 2 (spoilers)

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