SAS Rogue Heroes viewers blast the BBC for 'destroying the whole show' with 'grating and cringey' problem that 'disgraces the real life regiment'
SAS Rogue Heroes viewers have been left infuriated after spotting a 'grating and cringey' problem that they claim 'disgraces the real life regiment'.
The fourth instalment of the new series aired on BBC One on Sunday, following on from 2022's popular debut season.
The first series focussed on British forces losing North African ground to the German Afrika Korps in 1941.
The latest set of episodes saw Lieutenant David Stirling (Connor Swindells) captured and made a prisoner of war, forcing his brother Bill (Gwilym Lee) and Lieutenant Paddy Mayne (Jack O'Connell) to team up and save the SAS.
But the accent used by Jack, 34, to play the County Down-born hero has attracted the ire of fans of the drama, with some suggesting the portrayal 'destroyed the whole show'.
One took to X to say: 'Paddy Mayne's accent and syntax is increasingly grating #sasrogueheroes.'
SAS Rogue Heroes viewers have been left infuriated after spotting a 'grating and cringey' problem that 'disgraces the real life regiment'
Jack O'Connell (left), 34, played Paddy Mayne while Gwilym Lee (right) starred as Bill Stirling
In the episode, 'Blair' Mayne (pictured) was branded 'an Irishman of poor temperament' who opposes authority despite being pushed by Bill to lead a reformed SAS
Another frustrated viewer added: 'By the way Paddy Mayne in the BBC SAS Rogue Heroes isn't what he was like in real life the character in it is exaggerated.'
A third posted: '[Paddy Mayne's] portrayal in Rogue Heroes is somewhat insulting even taken into account the desire to stylise the programme.'
One user added: 'Why the hell did @bbctvcentre make Paddy Mayne seem like such a t*** in #SASRogueHeroes? Literally s***s on the legacy of the man'
Another incensed viewer said: 'Every time "Paddy Mayne" opens his mouth, I cringe. It has destroyed the whole thing #sasrogueheroes.'
The criticism did not stop there, with some pointing out other errors in the show which involved the service making their mark in Nazi-occupied Europe during the horrific attack on Termoli which took place between October 3 and October 5 1943.
One said: 'Dreadful season 2. Fantastic machismo which totally disgraces the ethos of the regiment. Soundtracked by noise and drum bashing discredits. Get a bloody grip @BBC #SASRogueHeroes.'
Another posted: 'Thought the first series of #sasrogueheroes was cr**. Season 2 seems equally b******s. Glad I've missed it.'
Some, however, thought it matched the heights of the first season and took to social media to express the opposing view.
One user said: 'SAS Rogue Heroes on iPlayer is probably the best series of anything I have ever seen in my entire life, lads. Je reccomendez, Je reccomendez.'
The accent used by Jack to play the County Down-born hero has attracted the ire of fans of the show
Another posted: 'SAS Rogue Heroes is excellent and a tonic for us gung ho alpha males. Just kidding, it's well acted and the Italy locations are outstanding. Well done the BBC.'
In the episode, 'Blair' Mayne was branded 'an Irishman of poor temperament' who opposes authority, despite being pushed by Bill to lead a reformed SAS.
In the first series, he had shown his ingenuity by using a special parachute regiment to target German supply depots and airfields, with the help of David and Lieutenant Jock Lewes.
The drama, adapted from Ben Macintyre's best-selling book, is directed by Peaky Blinder creator Steven Knight and came under fire from viewers as soon as the first episode of the new season aired on New Year's Day.
Alongside Paddy and David, a whole host of familiar faces returned to the drama including Dominic West, 55, as Lieutenant Colonel Dudley Wrangel Clarke and Theo Barklem-Biggs, 35, as Reg Seekings.
There have been complaints about Jack's accent before including after the second episode of the latest series.
One wrote: 'It’s a shame that @jackoconnell N Irish accent is so terrible in #SASRogueHeroes as it’s a great show.'
Another moaned: '#SASRogueHeroes That droning Irish monotone accent is getting on my wick. I've almost given up watching the story as that voice is a terrible irritating distraction.'
The drama, adapted from Ben Macintyre's best-selling book, is directed by Peaky Blinder creator Steven Knight
The show involved the service making their mark in Nazi-occupied Europe during the horrific attack on Termoli which took place between October 3 and October 5 1943
Alongside Paddy and David, a whole host of familiar faces returned to the drama including Dominic West (centre), 55, as Lieutenant Colonel Dudley Wrangel Clarke
In that instalment, David, a prisoner of war, was visited by an Italian nun who turned out to be the British spy Eve Mansour.
The pair formed a romance in the first season before David was abducted and held captive.
However, fans were left unimpressed by the storyline and took to social media to complain.
On X, one wrote: 'Oh look. An undercover nun. Does SAS mean Story Absolutely Stupid? #SASRogueHeroes.'
A second said: 'The first series was great. It's just got silly now.'
After the first episode, one viewer wrote: '#SASRogueHeroes I can't stick this. The accent is being slaughtered.'
Another posted: '#SASRogueHeroes slightly weird NI accent.'
A third added: 'I'd hoped Jack O'Connell would have worked on his North Down accent. Maybe spend some time in Newtownards. Seems not... #SASRogueHeroes.'
SAS Rogue Heroes airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
