You’re scrolling through Netflix, and you see a thumb of Sam Heughan looking intense with a rifle. It’s titled SAS: Rise of the Black Swan. You think, "Wait, didn't I see this called Red Notice somewhere else?"
Yeah, you did.
The movie had a massive identity crisis because Netflix didn't want people confusing it with the Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot blockbuster. But honestly, the sas rise of the black swan cast is what actually keeps this boat afloat. It’s a bizarre, high-octane mix of Outlander heartthrobs, DC villains, and the guy who played Gollum.
The Psychopath at the Center: Sam Heughan
Most people know Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser, the chivalrous highlander who’s spent a decade making people swoon. In this film, he’s Tom Buckingham. He's rich. He’s deadly. And according to the script, he’s basically a high-functioning psychopath.
It’s an odd pivot.
Buckingham is an SAS operator who takes his girlfriend, Dr. Sophie Hart, on a romantic Eurostar trip to Paris to propose. Naturally, the train gets hijacked by a mercenary group called the Black Swans. Instead of just being a "Die Hard on a train" hero, Heughan plays Tom as someone who doesn't feel fear or empathy the way normal people do.
He's cold.
Watching Heughan navigate this is actually pretty interesting. He spends most of the movie covered in grease and blood, hunting mercenaries in the dark tunnels of the Chunnel. If you’re used to his warm, emotional performance in Outlander, this version of him is a bit of a shock to the system.
Ruby Rose and the Lewis Family
Ruby Rose plays Grace Lewis, the leader of the Black Swans. She’s the primary antagonist and, like Tom, she’s portrayed as a mirror image—a psychopath with a mission. Rose has a history with action roles (think John Wick 2 or Batwoman), so she handles the physicality well.
The dynamic is built on her relationship with her father, William Lewis.
William is played by the late, great Tom Wilkinson. This was actually one of his final roles before he passed away in late 2023. He brings a level of gravitas to the "mercenary patriarch" role that the movie probably didn't deserve, but we’re better off for having it.
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The Black Swans aren't just random thugs. They’re a private military company. They do the dirty work that the British government wants to keep off the books. When the government tries to "clean" them—meaning kill them all—Grace goes on a revenge spree that leads her right to that Eurostar train.
Owain Yeoman plays Oliver Lewis, Grace’s brother. He’s the more hesitant of the two, acting as a buffer for Grace’s more explosive impulses. It’s a thankless role in many ways, but Yeoman makes the sibling friction feel real.
The Supporting Players Who Carry the Weight
You’ve got Hannah John-Kamen as Dr. Sophie Hart. She’s not just a damsel; she’s a surgeon. Her character spends a lot of the movie trying to figure out if she can actually love a man who seems to lack a soul. John-Kamen is usually the one doing the fighting (like in Ant-Man and the Wasp), so seeing her in a more vulnerable, reactive role is a change of pace.
Then there’s Andy Serkis.
He plays George Clements, a high-ranking official who is essentially the "puppet master" behind the SAS operations. Serkis is chewing the scenery here. He’s vicious, cynical, and clearly having a blast playing a guy who would sacrifice a thousand civilians to save his own career.
The rest of the sas rise of the black swan cast includes:
- Tom Hopper as Declan Smith: Tom’s friend and fellow soldier. Hopper brings that Umbrella Academy brawn to the role, though his character has a few twists you might not see coming.
- Noel Clarke as Major Bisset: The tactical lead back at HQ.
- Ray Panthaki as Prime Minister Atwood: The politician caught between a rock and a very explosive hard place.
- Jing Lusi as Zada: A key member of the mercenary team who shares some of the film's most intense scenes with Ruby Rose.
Why the Realism Matters (Or Doesn't)
The movie is based on a novel by Andy McNab. If you don't know the name, McNab is a legend in the military world. He was a highly decorated SAS sergeant and led the famous Bravo Two Zero patrol during the Gulf War.
He knows his stuff.
Because of his involvement as a writer and producer, the tactics used by the sas rise of the black swan cast are surprisingly accurate. The way they hold their weapons, the way they clear rooms, and the "special forces mindset" are all grounded in reality.
McNab actually has a cameo in the movie. Keep an eye out for an SAS trooper near the end of the film—that’s him.
But here’s the thing: while the tactics are real, the plot is pure Hollywood. It's a "B-movie" with an "A-list" cast. Some critics hated it. They called the dialogue cheesy and the pacing weird. Fans, however, loved the raw violence and the fact that the hero is kind of a monster himself.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Watch
If you’re planning on diving into this one, here’s how to get the most out of it.
First, don't go in expecting The Bourne Identity. This is much more in the vein of 90s action flicks like Under Siege or The Rock. It’s loud, it’s bloody, and it doesn't care about being subtle.
Second, pay attention to the "psychopath" sub-plot. The movie tries to make a point about how society needs people who can "switch off" their emotions to do the jobs no one else wants to do. It’s a darker theme than your average action movie.
Lastly, watch it for Tom Wilkinson. It’s a reminder of his range. He could do Shakespeare, and he could do "corrupt mercenary boss" with equal conviction.
What to do next
- Check out the original novel Red Notice by Andy McNab to see how much of the "psychopath" character was toned down for the screen.
- Look for Sam Heughan's interviews about his training for the role; he worked closely with former SAS operators to get the movements right.
- If you liked the "gritty British military" vibe, your next stop should be the series Strike Back or the film 6 Days.
The sas rise of the black swan cast does a lot of heavy lifting for a script that sometimes trips over its own feet. Whether you're there for the Outlander star or the tactical realism, it’s a solid two-hour distraction. Just don't expect a romantic proposal.