The BBC has released a first look and trailer for the upcoming football drama, Dear England, about Gareth Southgate and the England men's football team.
The four-part series is based on James Graham's multi award-winning play of the same name and is a fictionalised account of the England men's team's highs and lows, based on extensive research and interviews.
© BBC/Left BankI'm counting down the days until Dear England's release. Not only does the series boast a star-studded cast, led by Joseph Fiennes (Young Sherlock), Jodie Whittaker (Toxic Town) and Jason Watkins (Line of Duty), but it's produced by the Left Bank Pictures, known for their high-quality, compelling dramas like The Crown and Dept. Q. I've got high hopes for this one!
The newly-released trailer sees Gareth (Joseph Fiennes) introduce the players to psychologist Pippa Grange (Jodie Whittaker), whom he recruits to help "fix England" with him.
Later on, the England manager gives a rousing speech to his team in the locker room. "Keep believing," he tells the players. "Keep going right up until the final whistle because one day, you will look back and give anything to be back here."
Ahead of its release this month, find out all you need to know about the show below.
What is Dear England about?
The series is adapted from the award-winning play of the same name, which received five-star reviews, an Olivier award and a sell-out run in 2023.
It follows Gareth Southgate as he aims to start a new chapter with the England men's team.
The synopsis reads: "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?"
Andy Harries, CEO of Left Bank Pictures and executive producer on the show, previously said that the show "will be as ground-breaking as the play itself," while Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, teased the series as "hugely entertaining, must-see" television.
© BBC/Left BankWho stars in Dear England?
Starring alongside Joseph Fiennes as Gareth Southgate and Jodie Whittaker as Pippa Grange are Jason Watkins as the former FA chairman Greg Dyke and John Hodgkinson (Small Axe, Life After Life) as former FA chairman Greg Clarke.
© BBC/Left BankDaniel Ryan (The Bay, The Hack) plays Steve Holland, former assistant manager for the England men's team, and Sam Spruell (The Gold, Fargo) stars as fictional coach, Mike Webster.
Forming the England squad is Adam Hugill (Sherwood), Josh Barrow (Hostage) and newcomer Lewis Shepherd, who reprise their respective stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and Dele Alli.
© BBC/Left BankMeanwhile, Will Antenbring (Mr Loverman) stars as Harry Kane, alongside Edem-Ita Duke (Mr Loverman) as Marcus Rashford, Francis Lovehall (A Thousand Blows) as Raheem Sterling, Abdul Sessay (Piglets) as Bukayo Saka, Jacob Greenway (The Dream Lands) as Jude Bellingham, David Shields (Masters of the Air) as Jordan Henderson, Hamish Frew (Generation Z) as Eric Dier, Alfie Middlemiss (Waterloo Road) as Phil Foden, Riess Fennell (The Football Fantastics) as Jadon Sancho, Daniel Quincy Annoh (The Recruit) as Ollie Watkins, Bobby Schofield (Unforgivable) as Wayne Rooney, Sam Baker Jones (Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man) as Jack Grealish and newcomers Dom Rayner and Xander Westcarr-Parsons are Cole Palmer and Jesse Lingard, respectively.
How to watch Dear England
Viewers don't have long to wait as episodes one and two will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 9pm on Sunday 24 May, with the following two episodes arriving on BBC iPlayer the following Sunday (31 May).
The episodes will air on BBC One on Sunday and Monday nights at 9pm from Sunday 24 May.
