SAS Rogue Heroes

BBC1, 9pm

Here’s the story of the Second World War origins of the SAS told in a drama written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. That’s a hard act to follow. Happily, the good news is that this new six-part drama delivers in spades on that promise.

It’s not only that the production, set in North Africa in 1941, conjures up a convincing sense of history. The extremely sweary script from Knight also has a cheery, intoxicating disregard for the niceties of traditional period drama.

The casting works well, particularly Connor Swindells as Lieutenant David Stirling, creator of the SAS and an unhinged but charismatic character, while Jack O’Connell steals his scenes playing the violent Paddy Mayne, both a psychopath and a legendary military hero. Dominic West (right) plays spy chief Lt Col Wrangel Clarke. Unmissable. ★★★★★