Happy Valley's Con O'Neill cast in 2nd series of SAS Rogue Heroes

‘Happy Valley’ star Con O’Neill has been cast in the second series of ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’.

The ‘Nolly’ star has been named as a new face in the follow-up of the BBC One World War II series - which will also see the return of Jack O’Connell as Paddy Mayne, Sofia Boutella as Eve Mansour, and Dominic West as Dudley Clarke - alongside ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ star Gwilym Lee.

The 56-year-old actor will play General Montgomery while ‘The Great’ star, 39, will play Bill Stirling, Connor Swindell’s captured character David Stirling’s brother in the six new episodes based on the memoir of the same name by Ben Macintyre and produced by Kudos, a Banjay UK company.

Steven Knight - who created, wrote and executive produced the show - said: “It’s so good to be back in the wild world of the SAS so soon. The second chapter is even more incredible than the first and we hope to do justice to the brave men and women whose story we are telling.”

Kudos’ Karen Wilson, executive producer, said: “We were blown away by the incredible reaction to series one and are so excited to be back filming. Steven’s scripts are just brilliant, we have an amazing cast and we can’t wait to go on another action-packed ride with our ‘Rogue Heroes’ again.”

The BBC’s bosses were enthused about the return of the “action-packed” portrayal of the hardcore military branch that was created in the desert.

Lindsay Salt, the public broadcaster’s director of drama, said: “Series one dazzled millions of viewers across the country with its swagger, action-packed set pieces and wit, winning a whole legion of fans in the process. Series two goes bigger and better to prove that Steven Knight and the team were just getting started - we can’t wait to welcome the Rogue Heroes back to the BBC.”