The BBC has announced that its four-part drama 'Dear England' will premiere on BBC One on Sunday, May 24. The series, adapted by James Graham from his Olivier Award-winning play, follows Gareth Southgate's tenure as England manager and will be available on BBC iPlayer following the broadcast.
Joseph Fiennes stars as Southgate, who is seen introducing psychologist Pippa Grange (Jodie Whittaker) to a sceptical dressing room. The trailer shows Southgate delivering a rousing speech as the team begins to believe in his methods. Southgate led England to a World Cup semi-final and a European Championship final, becoming the most successful coach since Alf Ramsey.
The cast includes Jason Watkins and John Hodgkinson as former FA chairs Greg Dyke and Greg Clarke, Daniel Ryan as assistant manager Steve Holland, and Sam Spruell as fictional coach Mike Webster. The squad features Adam Hugill as Harry Maguire, Josh Barrow as Jordan Pickford, Lewis Shepherd as Dele Alli, Will Antenbring as Harry Kane, and others.
Rupert Goold, who directed the original play, directs episode one, with Paul Whittington directing episodes two to four. Executive producers are Andy Harries and Rebecca Hodgson for Left Bank Pictures, Jo McClellan for the BBC, and Graham, Goold, and Whittington. Sony Pictures Television holds international distribution rights.
