Jack Barton On SAS Rogue Heroes

Fans of historical war dramas will be pleased to hear SAS Rogue Heroes is finally returning to the BBC tonight (1 January), just over two years after the first episode aired in October 2022. Starring Connor Swindells, Jack O’Connell and Alfie Allen alongside plenty more in the first series, the return comes with plenty of fresh faces, including Jack Barton. We sat down with the newcomer to hear all about what to expect.

Interview: Jack Barton

Jack Barton (Photography, David Reiss; grooming, Charlie Cullen; styling, Keeley Dawson [knit and trousers, Stefani Piloti; t-shirt, Sunspel; shoes, GH Bass])

It’s going well, thanks! Just touched down after 36 hours of travelling from plane to bus to train to taxi to unicycle to lawnmower etc. I’m just happy to be sat still right now, to be honest!

You’re about to star in the second series of SAS Rogue Heroes – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

OK, so… More explosions and more irreverence. They’re all suddenly flung into an existential scrap for the survival of the whole group, tasked with slogging their way through Italy, almost solo, in order to liberate Europe and prove their worth to the powers that be. 

What can we expect from series 2?

It’s darker, grittier, and much, much more dangerous. This all happens without losing any of what the team so expertly brought to our screens last season.

You play John Tonkin – how would you describe him?

In a word? Chipper. But really, he’s a lot of things I guess – sarcastic, earnest, adventurous, reckless… A total joy. And, above all, a very determined fellow.

What is it like playing him?

I mean, it was a real honour. I doubt they’d have said this themselves, but these were formidable individuals. They lived a life almost entirely unrestrained by fear and on the very edge of human potential. So yeah, it was a privilege to step into their shoes for a time. 

How did you get into character?

I basically just smoked pipes and listened to Vera Lynn on repeat… But honestly, so much of the groundwork was already done for us out there. They were all real WWII guns we were using, bombs were actually going off, the costumes were impeccable and the sets were unreal – everything was conspiring to help us. It didn’t take much to step into that world.

Did you do anything special to prepare for the role?

Not really, no. I tried to make sure I was, at least, in mediocre shape but otherwise I didn’t really have time! I think there were about 10 days between booking the job and flying out to Croatia to film. I was stuck in some random village in the middle of nowhere in France (with no clear way back) when I found out, so yeah… Can’t say I had the time to go full method!

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

The last day we filmed in Croatia really jumps out at me. We’d been marching up and down a hill in the baking sun for a couple of hours and the moment we wrapped, we all stripped off and dived straight into the ocean. It’d been a pretty hectic schedule up until that point, and you could tell we all needed it. It was a special moment.

What was the cast dynamic on set? 

Exactly what you’d expect from a bunch of testosterone-fuelled dudes with guns — delicate and sensitive, of course.

Who was your favourite person to work with?

Are you trying to get me into trouble?

You’ve also starred in War of the Worlds, The Pursuit of Love, Grantchester and more, but you’re perhaps best known for playing David Nelson in Heartstopper. What is that like to be a part of?

Ahhh, I mean what a special show. I feel so proud to be a part of that and to see the impact it’s had. David is an unredeemable terror in it and I still found myself getting countless messages of love and support from people just saying how much it meant to them. Extremely special.

What is it like to play David?

Haha. He’s not the easiest person to love, let’s just say that…

How does it feel to play a kind of villain/antagonist in such a happy series?! 

To be honest, it was a bit of a challenge at points you know, playing someone who — as I say — has zero redeeming qualities within such a sweet and loving world. But someone’s gotta do it, eh? We need conflict in stories or we switch off. Plus, on a personal level, if it’s not challenging, it’s boring. 

What has been your favourite project to date?

You’re really trying to get me into trouble!

Any roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!) 

Nothing as of yet, no. I’m just waiting for the right thing to come along at the moment. I’ve been writing a lot, which I’m loving, alongside other projects that fill up my creative cup.

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

I’ve got to say – cough cough, looks like you dropped a name there, pal – Olivia Colman, haven’t I? What a trip. And what a wonderful human. Otherwise, I worked with Nicholas Denton recently and I’ve got to admit, he completely blew me away in one of the scenes we did. I was only filming for a few days but it turned out to be some of the most creatively fulfilling work I’ve done of late. Stellar. 

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

I mean it’s hard to name one as it’s such a talented group of actors on SAS Rogue Heroes, but Jack [O’Connell] really stepped up to the plate this season. It was a joy to watch. He gives such a ferociously nuanced performance as Paddy Mayne, but off screen he was just as impressive. These productions can get pretty chaotic at times so having someone at the head who is calm and grounded in the work is vital. Props to him. 

What’s your dream role?

Macbeth. Or honestly, anything with Ruben Östlund – do you reckon he’ll read this?

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

Oh, I don’t know, maybe horror? That would be fun. 

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with?

Well, I already answered the director part, but actor-wise – Paul Dano’s a big one. Ever since I saw him in Youth, I’ve been smitten. He’s so gentle with his choices and he seems like such a generous person to work with. The same goes for Viggo Mortensen.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I didn’t really want to be anything specific, you know – maybe a footballer, a bit? I just wanted to have fun, really. If I’m honest, I don’t think I gave much thought to the future at all, which may be coming back to bite me now… 

If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be? 

Ah, wee man… Don’t be so hard on yourself – you’re doing great. Take it easy.

How can we all live a little bit better?

Focus on just a few steps ahead, max. Be present. Don’t be a d*ck. And, of course, recommend SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 to all your friends and loved ones immediately.

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?

Yes, actually – I’m starting a business at the moment. A little side hustle that’s proving to be incredibly fulfilling. And a lot of writing, like I said. I’m also ruminating on where to potentially move to next… Marseille, Lisbon and LA are all on the list so we’ll see what happens. 

Jack Barton (Photography, David Reiss; grooming, Charlie Cullen; styling, Keeley Dawson [knit and trousers, Stefani Piloti; t-shirt, Sunspel; shoes, GH Bass])

Jack Barton Recommends…

I’m currently watching… I just finished A History of Violence. Phwoar…what a great tone. And Viggo [Mortensen] *chefs kiss*. 

What I’m reading… The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer (again) & Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Before A History of Violence? Patrick Marber’s Closer. Not as good as some stage productions I’ve seen to be honest, but still brilliant. 

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Anora!

Favourite film of all time… Victoria

Favourite song of all time… Jheeze! I can only say for right now but ‘Bassa Bassa’ by Jembaa Groove.

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Sonya Spence 

My ultimate cultural recommendation… Tate Britain

Cultural guilty pleasure… The cinema avec far too much popcorn…

WATCH

SAS Rogue Heroes returns to BBC One tonight at 9pm. Catch up with all episodes on BBC iPlayer.