Dear England TV series – first look at Joseph Fiennes, Jodie Whittaker and more

The BBC has revealed first-look photos for the television adaptation of Dear England.

James Graham has written the series based on his award-winning National Theatre play about Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team.

It will air as a four-part drama on BBC One and iPlayer in 2026.

In addition, Rupert Goold, who directed Dear England on stage, has directed the first episode. Paul Whittington has directed episodes two to four.

Joseph Fiennes reprises his WhatsOnStage and Olivier Award-nominated role as Southgate, the England manager tasked with transforming the fortunes of a national side long haunted by penalty shootouts and missed opportunities.

Jodie Whittaker joins the cast as team psychologist Pippa Grange, with Jason Watkins as former FA chairman Greg Dyke and John Hodgkinson returning to the role of Greg Clarke. Daniel Ryan plays assistant manager Steve Holland, and Sam Spruell takes the role of fictional coach Mike Webster.

Other returning cast members from the stage version include Adam Hugill as Harry Maguire, Josh Barrow as Jordan Pickford and Lewis Shepherd as Dele Alli.

The squad also features 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, with Dom Rayner and Alexander Parsons playing Cole Palmer and Jesse Lingard respectively.

Dear England is a fictionalised account of the England team’s journey. The original play premiered at the National Theatre in 2023, earning an Olivier Award for Best New Play before returning for a second run and national tour.

Listen to Graham discuss the show in our WhatsOnStage Podcast:

The series is produced by Tina Pawlik for Left Bank Pictures, with executive producers including Graham, Goold, Andy Harries, Rebecca Hodgson, and Jo McClellan. Sony Pictures Television will handle international distribution.

Dear England is currently on tour.