Joseph Fiennes, who portrays Gareth Southgate in the BBC drama Dear England and the Olivier Award-winning stage production, has shared details of his first encounter with the former England manager. The 56-year-old actor joked he was grateful Southgate 'didn't wring [his] neck' after he asked for a selfie.
First Meeting at a King's Trust Event
Speaking to Esquire magazine, Fiennes recalled the meeting, which occurred at a King's Trust event. He has been an ambassador for the charity since his mid-twenties, attending events and helping young entrepreneurs. 'I was about to go on stage at an event, looking at what I had to say, and I got a tap on the shoulder. I looked around and there was me, a metre away, with a lovely smile,' the actor said.
Southgate greeted him with a simple 'Hello,' prompting Fiennes to become 'all gushy' and ask for a selfie. 'He was just very kind, articulate and a smashing gentleman. And I was very grateful that he didn't wring my neck!' Fiennes added.
Transformation into Southgate
Fiennes also discussed how he prepared to portray the 55-year-old former England manager. 'Of course you lean into certain mannerisms, voice pitches and looks,' he told Best magazine. 'But that only gets you so far because what is really important is the content and themes beneath that – mental health, racism, toxic masculinity, pressures for these elite athletes.' He noted that the character serves as a vehicle for much bigger questions, much like football itself.
To develop his portrayal, Fiennes watched interviews with Southgate, though he acknowledged the limitations. 'Again the play and the television series has its own fictionalisation of him as well, so there was a slight departure,' he said.
Southgate's Tenure and Departure
Gareth Southgate managed the England men's football team from 2016 to 2024. He stepped down after the team's defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final last July. In his departure statement, he said: 'As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all. But it's time for change, and for a new chapter.'
The four-part BBC drama Dear England, adapted from James Graham's stage play, chronicles Southgate's career and his eight-year tenure leading the national team.
