TRAILER: Joseph Fiennes, Jodie Whittaker and Jason Watkins star in Dear England, a new drama about Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team launching on the BBC on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Written by James Graham (Sherwood) and based on his stage play of the same name, the four-part series sees Fiennes play Southgate as he aims to start a new chapter with the England men’s team.
With the worst team track record for penalties in the world when he takes over as manager, Gareth knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take England back to the promised land. The country that gave the world football has delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t the England team win at their own game?
Produced by Left Bank Pictures, Dear England is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of the England men’s team, based on extensive research and interviews.
Whittaker (Doctor Who) plays England men’s team psychologist Pippa Grange, Watkins (The Game) is former FA chairman Greg Dyke and John Hodgkinson (Small Axe) is former FA chairman Greg Clarke.
Daniel Ryan (The Bay) is Steve Holland, former assistant manager for the England men’s team. Sam Spruell (The Gold) stars as fictional coach Mike Webster.
Adam Hugill, Josh Barrow and screen newcomer Lewis Shepherd reprise their respective stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and Dele Alli.
Will Antenbring stars as Harry Kane, Edem-Ita Duke is Marcus Rashford, Francis Lovehall is Raheem Sterling, Abdul Sessay is Bukayo Saka, Jacob Greenway is Jude Bellingham, David Shields is Jordan Henderson, Hamish Frew is Eric Dier, Alfie Middlemiss is Phil Foden, Riess Fennell is Jadon Sancho, Daniel Quincy Annoh is Ollie Watkins, Bobby Schofield is Wayne Rooney, Sam Baker Jones is Jack Grealish and newcomers Dom Rayner and Xander Westcarr-Parsons are Cole Palmer and Jesse Lingard respectively.
Rupert Goold, who directed Dear England on stage, directs episode one. Paul Whittington will direct episodes two to four. Tina Pawlik is the producer.
The executive producers are Andy Harries and Rebecca Hodgson for Left Bank Pictures, Jo McClellan for the BBC and James Graham, Rupert Goold and Paul Whittington.
Sony Pictures Television will distribute Dear England internationally.
Episodes one and two of Dear England will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 9pm on Sunday, May 24, with the following two episodes arriving on BBC iPlayer the following Sunday (May 31). On BBC One the episodes will air on Sunday and Monday nights at 9pm from Sunday, May 24.
tagged in: BBC iPlayer, BBC One, Dear England, James Graham, Joseph Fiennes, Left Bank Pictures, Sony Pictures Television
