SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 full cast list from Heartstopper star to The Last Kingdom legend

The second season of SAS Rogue Heroes is set to return to BBC One, this time taking the action to mainland Europe. As we enter spring 1943, Paddy Mayne (portrayed by Jack O'Connell) assumes command of the SAS following the capture of David Stirling (played by Connor Swindells).

With their focus shifting to other global regions, the future of the regiment hangs in the balance due to reservations from GHQ. The formation of a new unit and an unexpected arrival further complicate matters.

Joining Paddy Mayne and David Stirling are returning cast members including Dominic West as Lieutenant Colonel Dudley Wrangel Clarke and Theo Barklem-Biggs as Reg Seekings.

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Other familiar faces include Corin Silva as Jim Almonds, Jacob Ifan as Pat Riley, Jacob McCarthy as Johnny Cooper, Stuart Campbell as Bill Fraser, Bobby Schofield as Dave Kershaw and Sofia Boutella as Eve Mansour.

Here's what you need to know about the fresh faces joining the cast for the second series, now available on BBC iPlayer.

Gwilym Lee takes on the role of Bill Stirling, David's brother in the series and a real-life war hero who led another branch of the SAS.

Lee, a 41 year old British actor, is recognised for his roles in Midsomer Murders and for portraying Brian May in the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.

Speaking about his new role, the star said: "I've loved being embraced by [the cast], it's a really special job.

"It can be tricky coming into a second series with a really established cast of actors and a great crew, as you worry about ruffling feathers or breaking into a clique, but there was none of that whatsoever.

"It was open arms from day one. It's an incredible story we're telling about some really brave and courageous people, and we all feel that weight of responsibility. There is a passion in everything we do in order to do justice to this story."

British Commander General Montgomery is portrayed by Con O'Neill, a seasoned English actor who has made his mark primarily in theatre.

At 58, O'Neill is best known for his role as Michael "Mickey" Johnstone in the musical Blood Brothers, while his television credits include appearances in Chernobyl, The Batman, and Our Flag Means Death. He will feature in the fifth episode of the new series of SAS Rogue Heroes.

The character of SAS recruit Jock McDiarmid is brought to life by Mark Rowley, who puts Paddy through his paces in the show.

Rowley, a 34 year old Scottish actor, has previously starred in River City and The Spanish Princess. More recently, he took on the role of Irish warrior Finan in Netflix's The Last Kingdom.

SAS recruit John Tonkin is played by Jack Barton, known for his supporting role as David Nelson in the Netflix sensation, Heartstopper.

Barton's other notable performances include roles in Poor Things, War of the Worlds, and The Letter for the King.

Paolo De Vita, Anna Manuelli, Edward Bennett and Matteo Franco have been enlisted for roles yet to be revealed in the series.

Steven Knight, the creator of the show, spoke about the new additions: "Our team are now in Italy facing a totally different challenge to the desert."

"There are new people joining the regiment indeed there is a new regiment altogether, 2SAS and of course there are sparks and friction."

"The main change, which again this is the truth and something reality throws at us, is that when David Stirling was captured his brother Bill Stirling became a very prominent part of the SAS and 2SAS."

"Gwilym Lee's performance is amazing as Bill Stirling; a man who is good, honourable, straightforward but feels this pressure because of his brother. David is renowned as 'The Phantom Major', he's done all this stuff."

"Bill as the older sibling has something of a sense of superiority and a desire to make the men respect him in the same way they respected David."

"But there are lots of new characters and all of them heroes."

SAS Rogue Heroes can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.