The BBC has unveiled the official trailer and launch date for the highly anticipated drama series Dear England, based on James Graham's award-winning play. The four-part series, starring Joseph Fiennes as former England manager Gareth Southgate, will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Sunday, 24 May at 9pm.
Plot and Premise
The series chronicles Southgate's tenure with the England men's national team, focusing on his efforts to overcome the nation's historic penalty shootout failures—including his own miss in Euro 1996—and lead the team to glory. The fictionalised account, rooted in extensive research and interviews, explores the psychological barriers hindering England's success in football.
Cast and Crew
Joseph Fiennes reprises his Olivier-nominated stage role as Southgate. The star-studded cast includes Jodie Whittaker as team psychologist Pippa Grange, Will Antenbring as Harry Kane, Jason Watkins as Greg Dyke, John Hodgkinson as Greg Clarke, Daniel Ryan as Steve Holland, and Sam Spruell as fictional coach Mike Webster. James Graham, the original playwright, also penned the series, with direction by Rupert Goold and production by Left Bank Pictures.
Release Schedule
The first episode drops on 24 May, with subsequent episodes released weekly. All episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer following the broadcast.
The stage production of Dear England enjoyed a sold-out run at the National Theatre before transferring to the West End in 2023, winning Best New Play at the Olivier Awards.
