The first official images have been unveiled, showing actor Joseph Fiennes fully transformed into England football manager Gareth Southgate for the upcoming BBC television adaptation of the hit play Dear England.
From Stage to Screen: A Stellar Cast Assembled
The 55-year-old Fiennes, who earned an Olivier Award nomination for his West End performance in the same role, will reprise his portrayal for a four-part BBC One and iPlayer series. Filming is currently underway, with the drama scheduled to air in 2026.
The newly released pictures capture key moments from Southgate's reign. In one, Fiennes, suited and sombre, faces the media in a press conference setting. Another shows a celebratory scene, with the actor wearing a white polo shirt and black trousers, rejoicing with players after England reached the final of the 2024 European Championships.
He will be joined by a high-profile supporting cast. Former Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker will play the England men's team psychologist, Pippa Grange. Will Antenbring takes on the role of Bayern Munich and England captain Harry Kane, while Jason Watkins (The Crown) portrays former FA chairman Greg Dyke, and John Hodgkinson plays ex-FA chairman Greg Clarke.
Chronicling Southgate's England Era
The series will document Southgate's eventful tenure as Three Lions boss, a period defined by historic near-misses. It will cover his achievement of guiding England to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final, while also exploring the ultimate frustration of failing to secure a major trophy.
Further cast members include Daniel Ryan (The Bay) as former assistant manager Steve Holland, and Sam Spruell (Fargo) as a fictional coach named Mike Webster.
Creative Team and Production Background
The television adaptation retains the core creative team from the acclaimed stage production. James Graham, who wrote the original play, has penned the series scripts. Rupert Goold, the play's director, also directs the BBC series, which is being produced by Left Bank Pictures.
The stage version of Dear England enjoyed a sell-out run at the National Theatre before transferring to the West End in 2023, where it won the Olivier Award for Best New Play last year. The play is currently on a 16-venue tour across the country.
The exact broadcast date for the Dear England TV series on BBC One and iPlayer is yet to be confirmed, but audiences can expect it to premiere sometime next year.
