Peaky Blinders Creator Steven Knight Teases Big Future for War Drama Beyond Season 2

Fans of high-octane war drama have reason to celebrate. Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders and SAS Rogue Heroes, has revealed that his hit Second World War series may stretch far beyond its second season — potentially lasting more than three.

Speaking at a recent Q&A, Knight made clear that the story of Britain’s Special Air Service (SAS) has only just begun. When asked whether he envisioned another season to complete the narrative of the war, Knight teased: “Not one series. No, we want to take this to the end of the war, and just a bit beyond.”

His comments are a clear indication that the BBC is preparing for a long run, charting the SAS’s journey from its founding days in North Africa through to the closing chapters of World War II and beyond.

From North Africa to Italy

Season one of the series captured the daring raids of the fledgling SAS as they carved a path of destruction through Axis forces in the deserts of North Africa. The new season picks up the story in 1943, with the unit facing its greatest challenge yet.

With founder David Stirling captured and held as a prisoner of war at the forbidding Forte di Gavi in Italy, command falls to Paddy Mayne, portrayed by Jack O’Connell. Mayne, known historically for his volatile temperament and fearless leadership, is depicted with a “barely controlled madness” that makes him both a dangerous adversary and a compelling protagonist.

Now the SAS is tasked with spearheading the Allied invasion of Sicily and southern Italy, a campaign that will test their resourcefulness and ruthlessness as never before.

Rock ’n’ Roll Soundtrack Meets WWII

In true Steven Knight fashion, the series continues to fuse gritty historical drama with a modern edge. Just as Peaky Blinders was defined by its anachronistic but powerful soundtrack, the new season of SAS Rogue Heroes is set to rock audiences with a playlist that includes The Cult’s “She Sells Sanctuary,” Deep Purple’s “Highway Star,” and Magazine’s “Shot by Both Sides.”

The blend of wartime realism and modern rock underscores the show’s unique style, setting it apart from traditional historical dramas and appealing to audiences beyond the usual period-drama crowd.

History Stranger Than Fiction

Knight also admitted during the Q&A that, in bringing the story of the SAS to the screen, he often tones down real events rather than exaggerating them. “It’s mostly putting things in a different chronological order,” he explained, “but most often the thing that really happened is so weird and so bizarre — this is true — that you think the audience either wouldn’t go with it, or they would lose empathy with the character.”

He cited an example from season one, where David Stirling is seen throwing a fake grenade onto a snooker table to secure possession of it. In reality, Stirling used a live grenade — an act so outrageous that Knight felt viewers would never accept it as plausible. “That’s the thing,” he added. “You’re almost contracting the reality to make it believable.”

Fans Eager for More

The promise of additional seasons has delighted fans, who embraced the first season’s mix of irreverence, danger, and swagger. Early reviews for season two have already been strong, with critics praising the show’s unapologetic energy and its willingness to embrace both the chaos of war and the eccentricity of its real-life heroes.

With Paddy Mayne now at the center of the action, viewers can expect a new dynamic — more unpredictable, perhaps darker, but equally gripping. O’Connell’s performance has already been hailed as a standout, capturing both the bravado and the instability of a man thrust into command at a critical moment in history.

Beyond Season 2

Knight’s revelation that he plans to take the series through to the end of the war and beyond suggests that future seasons could cover the SAS’s role in campaigns across Europe, including France, Germany, and perhaps the early postwar years.

The move also reflects confidence in the show’s longevity. While most war dramas confine themselves to a single conflict or arc, Knight’s approach hints at a sweeping epic, charting not only battles but also the evolution of the SAS as a permanent part of British military identity.

A Modern War Epic

For Knight, whose Peaky Blinders became a cultural phenomenon, SAS Rogue Heroes offers another chance to reinvent the way audiences consume historical storytelling. The combination of fast-paced action, surreal true stories, and a contemporary aesthetic makes it accessible to younger audiences as well as history buffs.

The decision to extend the narrative over multiple seasons also allows for deeper character development. Figures like Stirling, Mayne, and their comrades are not just soldiers but flawed, eccentric, and charismatic individuals whose larger-than-life exploits remain legendary.

Conclusion

As the SAS storms into Sicily on screen, the real story of SAS Rogue Heroes appears to be only getting started. Steven Knight’s promise to take the series “to the end of the war, and just a bit beyond” ensures that fans can expect years of daring missions, explosive action, and outrageous true stories — even if, ironically, some of them have to be toned down for television.

For audiences hungry for drama that blends history, myth, and sheer audacity, the return of Knight’s wartime saga looks set to deliver — not just for one more season, but for many.