The BBC’s adaptation of James Graham’s Olivier award-winning play, Dear England, is a stirring take on national identity. The four-part drama, airing Sunday at 9pm on BBC One, fictionalises Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary reign as England manager. It begins with a real-life clip of Southgate’s penalty miss in Euro 96, a moment that caused immense damage to the national psyche.
The story moves to 2016, with England in crisis after crashing out of the Euros to Iceland, while Brexit looms. Southgate, now managing the under-21s, is asked to become caretaker coach after Sam Allardyce resigns following a scandal. Joseph Fiennes reprises his critically acclaimed West End role, capturing Southgate’s vulnerability without caricature.
The drama recruits psychologist Dr Pippa Grange (Jodie Whittaker) to help tackle the men’s mental blocks. Whittaker delivers poignant exchanges with players, moving viewers as much as the sight of inflatable unicorns. The script weaves in themes of English values, masculinity, and racism, including a deeply affecting scene where Black players endure monkey chants.
While some actors look nothing like their real-life counterparts—Wayne Rooney will be very pleased—the show is a joyous, rousing ride. By the time Southgate celebrates England’s first penalty shootout win at a World Cup, viewers may forget the team never actually won anything. The drama, named after Southgate’s 2021 open letter, explores an alternative universe where his penalty didn’t miss, questioning national confidence.
