Joseph Fiennes, the actor portraying Gareth Southgate in the BBC's Dear England and the Olivier Award-winning stage production, has shared his experience of meeting the former England manager. The 56-year-old actor joked he was grateful Southgate "didn't wring [his] neck" during their encounter.
First Encounter at a Charity Event
Speaking to Esquire magazine, Fiennes recalled meeting Southgate at a King's Trust event, where he was an ambassador. "I was about to go on stage," Fiennes said. "I got a tap on the shoulder. I looked around and there was me, a metre away, with a lovely smile." The actor immediately asked for a selfie, to which Southgate responded warmly. "He was just very kind, articulate and a smashing gentleman," Fiennes added.
Portraying Southgate's Character
Fiennes explained to Best magazine how he transformed into the former England manager. "You lean into certain mannerisms, voice pitches and looks," he said. "But what is really important is the content and themes beneath that – mental health, racism, toxic masculinity, pressures for these elite athletes." He noted that the character serves as a vehicle for broader societal questions. Fiennes also studied numerous interviews to adopt aspects of Southgate's persona, though he acknowledged the play and TV series involve fictionalisation.
Southgate's Legacy
Gareth Southgate managed the England men's football team from 2016 to 2024, stepping down after the team's defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. In his resignation statement, he said: "As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all. But it's time for change, and for a new chapter."
England's World Cup Campaign
Tonight, England face Ghana in their second World Cup group-stage match, having opened their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia last week.
