The BBC has released the first look at James Graham’s new drama Dear England. The four-part series is based on James Graham’s Olivier-award winning play of the same name about Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team. It is produced by Left Bank Pictures (This City is Ours, The Crown) and the series will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in 2026.
With the worst team track record for penalties in the world when he takes over as manager, Gareth knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take England back to the promised land. The country that gave the world football has delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t the England team win at their own game?
As previously announced, Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale, Shakespeare in Love) will reprise his Olivier award nominated role as Gareth Southgate. The first look pictures see Fiennes in his role for the first time in scenes depicting England’s triumphant Euro 2024 Semi-Final celebrations, where the men’s team reached their first final of a major tournament on foreign soil. Fiennes is joined by Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Toxic Town) as England men’s team psychologist Pippa Grange, whilst Will Antenbring (Mr Loverman) is Harry Kane, both are seen in today’s first look pictures.
Jason Watkins (The Game, The Crown) is former FA chairman Greg Dyke and John Hodgkinson (Small Axe, Life After Life) is reprising his stage role as former FA chairman Greg Clarke. Daniel Ryan (The Bay, The Hack) is Steve Holland, former assistant manager for the England men’s team. Sam Spruell (The Gold, Fargo) stars as fictional coach, Mike Webster.
Forming the England squad is Adam Hugill (Sherwood), Josh Barrow (Hostage) and screen newcomer Lewis Shepherd are reprising their respective stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and Dele Alli. Edem-Ita Duke (Mr Loverman) is Marcus Rashford, Francis Lovehall (A Thousand Blows) is Raheem Sterling, Abdul Sessay (Piglets) is Bukayo Saka, Jacob Greenway (The Dream Lands) is Jude Bellingham, David Shields (Masters of the Air) is Jordan Henderson, Hamish Frew (Generation Z) is Eric Dier, Alfie Middlemiss (Waterloo Road) is Phil Foden, Riess Fennell (The Football Fantastics) is Jadon Sancho, Daniel Quincy Annoh (The Recruit) is Ollie Watkins, Bobby Schofield (Unforgivable) is Wayne Rooney and newcomers Dom Rayner and Alexander Parsons are Cole Palmer and Jesse Lingard respectively.
Dear England is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews. The stage play premiered at the National Theatre to five-star reviews, winning an Olivier award for ‘Best New Play’ and a sell-out run in 2023. It returned to the National Theatre earlier this year before embarking on a national tour.
Dear England (4×60) was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. James Graham will write the series, with Rupert Goold (Judy, King Charles III, The Hollow Crown), who directed Dear England on stage directing episode one. Paul Whittington (This Town, The Crown, White House Farm) will direct episodes two to four. Tina Pawlik (Ted Lasso, Top Boy) is the producer. The executive producers are James Graham and Rupert Goold, Andy Harries and Rebecca Hodgson for Left Bank Pictures, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Sony Pictures Television will distribute Dear England internationally.
Dear England will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One next year.