The BBC has announced the full cast for its upcoming drama Dear England, adapted from James Graham's Olivier award-winning play about Gareth Southgate and the England men's football team. Filming has begun in the South of England, and the four-part series will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in 2026.
Joseph Fiennes reprises his Olivier-nominated role as Gareth Southgate, who takes over as manager with the worst penalty record in the world. Jodie Whittaker joins as team psychologist Pippa Grange, Jason Watkins plays former FA chairman Greg Dyke, and Daniel Ryan is assistant manager Steve Holland. John Hodgkinson also reprises his stage role as former FA chairman Greg Clarke, while Sam Spruell plays fictional coach Mike Webster.
The cast includes actors reprising their stage roles: Adam Hugill as Harry Maguire, Josh Barrow as Jordan Pickford, and Lewis Shepherd as Dele Alli. New additions include Will Antenbring as Harry Kane, Edem-Ita Duke as Marcus Rashford, Francis Lovehall as Raheem Sterling, Abdul Sessay as Bukayo Saka, Jacob Greenway as Jude Bellingham, David Shields as Jordan Henderson, and others as key players.
Writer and executive producer James Graham said: 'Bringing the national game to the National Theatre was one of the most rewarding moments of my writing life. To kick off its journey on screen now is a huge opportunity.' Andy Harries, CEO of Left Bank Pictures, added: 'This is a premier league creative team.'
The play premiered at the National Theatre in 2023 to five-star reviews, winning an Olivier for Best New Play, and returned earlier this year before a national tour. The drama is a fictionalised account based on extensive research and interviews.
