The BBC has unveiled the first striking image of Joseph Fiennes fully transformed into England manager Gareth Southgate for its upcoming television adaptation of the hit stage play Dear England. The four-part series, set to premiere on BBC One and iPlayer in 2026, will dramatise Southgate's transformative tenure with the men's national football team.
From Stage to Screen: A Story of National Redemption
This initial glimpse captures Fiennes, 55, reprising his acclaimed stage role, depicting Southgate in a moment of reflection following England's historic Euro 2024 semi-final victory. That win secured the men's team their first major tournament final on foreign soil, a landmark achievement. The drama is based on James Graham's Olivier Award-winning play, which offers a fictionalised account of Southgate's mission to overhaul the team's mentality, particularly their notorious struggles with penalty shootouts.
The official synopsis poses the central question: 'The country that gave the world football has delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t the England team win at their own game?' It outlines Southgate's challenge, taking over a squad with the world's worst penalty record, and his need to confront a legacy of disappointment to lead England to glory.
A Stellar Cast Brings Football's Key Figures to Life
The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast portraying real-life football personalities and original characters. Alongside Fiennes, Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) stars as the team's psychologist, Pippa Grange, who played a crucial role in the squad's mental preparation.
Will Antenbring steps into the boots of star striker and captain Harry Kane. The supporting cast includes:
- Jason Watkins as former FA Chairman Greg Dyke.
- John Hodgkinson as Greg Clarke.
- Sam Spruell as fictional coach Mike Webster.
- Daniel Ryan as assistant manager Steve Holland.
Several actors from the original National Theatre production return, including Adam Hugill as Harry Maguire, Josh Barrow as Jordan Pickford, and Lewis Shepherd (making his screen debut) as Dele Alli. They are joined by a host of talent playing current and former England stars:
- Edem-Ita Duke as Marcus Rashford.
- Francis Lovehall as Raheem Sterling.
- Abdul Sessay as Bukayo Saka.
- Jacob Greenway as Jude Bellingham.
- Daniel Quincy Annoh as Ollie Watkins.
Acclaimed Source Material and a Lasting Legacy
The stage play of Dear England was a critical and commercial smash, launching at the National Theatre to five-star reviews before winning the Olivier Award for 'Best New Play' in 2023. Daily Mail critic Patrick Marmion praised its bold tackling of the team's penalty fears and its humour, noting the tension in its recreated shoot-outs.
Writer James Graham previously highlighted Southgate's profound impact, telling Mail Sport: 'Something remarkable happened under Gareth Southgate... He transformed our fortunes from 2016 to 2024 through quiet progression.' Graham emphasised that even without a trophy, Southgate's story was vital, changing the perception of the England team and making fans feel proud again, laying a foundation for future success.
With this first look generating significant buzz, the BBC's Dear England adaptation is poised to be a major television event, capturing a defining chapter in modern English sport and culture when it arrives in 2026.
