The BBC drama Dear England, starring Joseph Fiennes as Gareth Southgate, promises to be a must-see football drama inspired by true events. The series launches on Sunday, May 24, on BBC One at 9pm and will be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Episode Release Schedule
Dear England comprises four episodes in total. The second instalment airs on Monday, May 25, at 9pm. The third episode will be shown on Sunday, May 31, at 9pm, while the concluding fourth episode goes out on Monday, June 1, at 9pm. BBC iPlayer will make episodes three and four available from Sunday, May 31 onwards.
Cast
The series boasts an extensive ensemble headed by Joseph Fiennes, known for The Handmaid's Tale and Shakespeare in Love, portraying England football boss Gareth Southgate. Jodie Whittaker, recognised from Doctor Who and Broadchurch, takes on the role of Football Association psychologist Pippa Grange. Jason Watkins, familiar from Line of Duty and The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, appears as television executive Greg Dyke.
Additional performers include:
- John Hodgkinson as Greg Clarke
- Ben Chapman as Luke Shaw
- Daniel Ryan as Steve Holland
- Sam Spruell as Mike Webster
- Adam Hugill as Harry Maguire
- Josh Barrow as Jordan Pickford
- Lewis Shepherd as Dele Alli
- 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
- Hamish Frew as Eric Dier
- Alfie Middlemiss as Phil Foden
- Riess Fennell as Jadon Sancho
- Daniel Quincy Annoh as Ollie Watkins
- Bobby Schofield as Wayne Rooney
- Dom Rayner as Cole Palmer
- Alexander Parsons as Jesse Lingard
- Lee Chapman as Jamie Vardy
- Michael Watson as Kieran Trippier
- Sam Makepeace-Beach as Declan Rice
- Drew Thomas-Bissmire as Kyle Walker
- Alexander Grantham as Aaron Ramsdale
Plot
A logline from the BBC for Dear England reads: "With the worst team track record for penalties in the world when he takes over as manager, Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take England back to the promised land." The opening episode sees Southgate assuming control of the England squad during their darkest hour, following an embarrassing defeat. Tormented by his own infamous penalty failure, Southgate inherits a demoralised side and dubious supporters as he attempts to guide them towards success. Enlisting a sports psychologist, Southgate endeavours to transform the squad's mentality and confront both their collective dread of penalties and his own personal demons.
Adapted from playwright James Graham's stage production, the series explores the backstage world of the England men's football team. Graham said: "I always hoped there might be a screen life to Dear England, which would allow us to get inside the heads of the characters with a more intimate quality compared to the epic theatricality of the stage play."
Dear England airs on BBC One tonight at 9pm and on BBC iPlayer.
