The BBC's new football drama Dear England, with Joseph Fiennes starring as Gareth Southgate, has confirmed its release date – and it's really soon, arriving to screens on 24 May.
Based on James Graham's award-winning play of the same name, the drama is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of the England men's football team during Southgate's tenure from 2016 to 2024.
Made by production company Left Bank Pictures, also behind the BBC's Liverpool-set This City is Ours and Netflix's Dept. Q, the four-part series boasts an impressive cast, which also includes Jodie Whittaker and Jason Watkins.
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"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," reads the synopsis.
"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?" it continues (via BBC).
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Whittaker, known for Doctor Who and Toxic Town, will take on the role of psychologist Pippa Grange, while McDonald & Dodds star Watkins is portraying former FA chairman Greg Dyke.
Elsewhere the impressive ensemble cast also includes John Hodgkinson and Sam Spruell, while Adam Hugill, Josh Barrow and Lewis Shepherd are reprising their respective roles from the stage play.
Will Antenbring, Edem-Ita Duke, Francis Lovehall, Abdul Sessay, Jacob Greenway, David Shields, Hamish Frew, Alfie Middlemiss, Riess Fennell, Daniel Quincy Annoh, Bobby Schofield, and Sam Baker Jones are all part of the supporting cast.
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Rupert Goold, who directed the stage version, will direct the first episode of the BBC drama, with Paul Whittington - best known for This Town and The Crown - helming the remaining three instalments.
Graham's play has been lauded since its premiere at the National Theatre in 2023, and was followed by a run in London's West End run and a UK tour. It also garnered some awards success, winning the Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2024.
Dear England will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Sunday 24 May at 9pm.
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TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
