James Graham's adaptation of his hit play Dear England has transferred to television, with Joseph Fiennes reprising his role as Gareth Southgate. The four-part series follows Southgate's appointment as England manager in 2016 and his subsequent transformation of the national team, culminating in a run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals. The production uses archive footage to recreate football matches, with actors appearing against a black backdrop for penalty scenes.
The cast includes Jodie Whittaker as psychologist Pippa Grange, who helps Southgate foster a supportive team culture. The young ensemble humanises players like Dele Alli (Lewis Shepherd), Harry Maguire (Adam Hugill), and Harry Kane (Will Antenbring), the latter portrayed as a smart empath rather than the robotic figure seen in interviews. The series also addresses the backlash the team faced for their inclusivity and diversity stances.
However, Fiennes's performance has been criticised as overly caricatured. While he captures Southgate's appearance and mannerisms—such as extra blinks and chin strokes—he adds a bobbing head and south London drawl that make the character seem like a cross between Harold Steptoe and Captain Darling from Blackadder Goes Forth. The real Southgate's reflective and erudite nature is lost in favour of a perpetually wounded, haunted savant.
The series also glosses over Southgate's conservative tactical instincts, which may disappoint football fans. Despite these flaws, Dear England delivers a warmly emotional tale of redemption and victory against the odds, though it fails to fully capture the nuances of its subject.
