The BBC has released the first look at ‘Dear England,’ the upcoming four-part drama from writer James Graham. Based on Graham’s Olivier Award-winning play of the same name, the series is a fictionalised account of Gareth Southgate’s transformative tenure as manager of the England men’s football team. Produced by Left Bank Pictures (This City is Ours, The Crown), Dear England will debut on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in 2026.
At the heart of the story is a nation burdened by history. Taking on the job with the worst penalty record in world football, Southgate understands he must confront decades of disappointment to guide England back to glory. Why, in the country that invented the sport, has the national team so often faltered at the decisive moment?
Oscar and BAFTA nominee Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale, Shakespeare in Love) reprises his acclaimed, Olivier-nominated stage performance as Southgate. The first look images show Fiennes embodying the England manager during the euphoric celebrations of the Euro 2024 Semi-Final – a landmark moment when the team reached their first major tournament final on foreign soil.
Fiennes is joined by Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Toxic Town) as team psychologist Pippa Grange, and Will Antenbring (Mr Loverman) as England captain Harry Kane, both appearing in the newly released stills.
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The supporting cast includes Jason Watkins (The Game, The Crown) as former FA chairman Greg Dyke and John Hodgkinson (Small Axe, Life After Life) once again portraying Greg Clarke, continuing his role from the stage production. Daniel Ryan (The Bay, The Hack) plays former England assistant manager Steve Holland, while Sam Spruell (The Gold, Fargo) joins the series as fictional coach Mike Webster.
Forming Southgate’s England squad are Adam Hugill (Sherwood), Josh Barrow (Hostage) and newcomer Lewis Shepherd, reprising their stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and Dele Alli. They are joined by Edem-Ita Duke (Mr Loverman) as Marcus Rashford, Francis Lovehall (A Thousand Blows) as Raheem Sterling, Abdul Sessay (Piglets) as Bukayo Saka, Jacob Greenway (The Dream Lands) as Jude Bellingham and David Shields (Masters of the Air) as Jordan Henderson.
Rounding out the squad are Hamish Frew (Generation Z) as Eric Dier, Alfie Middlemiss (Waterloo Road) as Phil Foden, Riess Fennell (The Football Fantastics) as Jadon Sancho, Daniel Quincy Annoh (The Recruit) as Ollie Watkins, Bobby Schofield (Unforgivable) as Wayne Rooney, and newcomers Dom Rayner and Alexander Parsons as Cole Palmer and Jesse Lingard.
‘Dear England’ draws on extensive research and interviews to chronicle the emotional and psychological evolution of England’s football teams, exploring both their triumphs and tribulations. The stage play debuted at the National Theatre to universal acclaim, winning the Olivier Award for Best New Play and completing a sell-out run in 2023 before returning for another stint and a successful national tour.
Commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, the series is written by James Graham. Rupert Goold (Judy, King Charles III), who directed the original play, helms episode one, with Paul Whittington (This Town, The Crown) directing episodes two through four. Tina Pawlik (Ted Lasso, Top Boy) produces, while executive producers include Graham and Goold, Andy Harries and Rebecca Hodgson for Left Bank Pictures, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Sony Pictures Television will handle international distribution.
