Fans of Downton Abbey are being directed to a Netflix miniseries by the same creator, Julian Fellowes, which dramatizes a pivotal moment in British sporting history. The six-part series, The English Game, is set in the 1870s and explores the origins of the Football Association in England.
From Wealthy Pastime to National Sport
The show retells the moment football transformed from a sport for the wealthy into one enjoyed by all classes. It follows a working-class footballer alongside his upper-class counterpart, Arthur Kinnaird and Fergus Suter, as they change the game's inner workings.
Like Downton Abbey, the series focuses on a specific time period, with settings and costumes capturing the era. The show has been praised for its sociological insight, with one viewer noting it offers a "good sociological analysis of English class and gender relations."
Cast and Critical Reception
Edward Holcroft and Kevin Guthrie lead the cast as the two pioneers, with Charlotte Hope as Margaret Alma Kinnaird and Niamh Walsh as Martha Almond. One fan on Rotten Tomatoes said, "Having enjoyed other Julian Fellowes TV series, I opted to give 'The English Game' a viewing and was not disappointed."
Another viewer wrote: "Very enjoyable series that you don't need to be a football fan to enjoy. Likeable, well-acted characters and great period costumes and sets. 5 stars."
Historical Accuracy Questions
Some critics have pointed out historical inaccuracies, noting that Suter did not win the cup with Blackburn the year after joining, but instead won his first FA Cup after his sixth season. The series also merges the two Blackburn teams of the time, Blackburn Olympic and Blackburn Rovers.
Despite these criticisms, many viewers appreciate how the story captures the key details of the real-life events and the sport's significance to British society. All six episodes of The English Game are available to stream now exclusively on Netflix.
