The BBC has announced casting for its new four-part series based on James Graham’s acclaimed stage drama Dear England.
Produced by The Crown makers Left Bank Pictures, and written by James Graham (Sherwood, Quiz, Make It Happen, Boys from the Blackstuff), the drama is now filming, and will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2026
Rupert Goold (Judy, King Charles III, The Hollow Crown), who directed Dear England on stage, directs the first episode of the series, with Paul Whittington (This Town, The Crown) directing episodes two to four.
Already announced, Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale, Shakespeare in Love), who starred in both the National Theatre and Prince Edward Theatre runs, will return to the part of Gareth Southgate for the TV drama.
He will be joined by Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Toxic Town, The Duchess) as Pippa Grange, the England men’s team psychologist, and Jason Watkins (The Game, The Crown, The Seagull) as former FA chairman Greg Dyke.
Dear England – BBC Drama casting: Far left – Joseph Fiennes (Photo Gary William Ogle), Top – Jodie Whittaker (Photo Pip), Jason Watkins (Photo Natasha Merchany), John Hodgkinson (Photo Michael Shelford), Daniel Ryan (Photo Simon Annand), 2nd Row – Sam Spruell (Photo Pip), Adam Hugill (Photo Harry Livingstone), Josh Barrow (Photo Ori Jones), Lewis Shepherd (Photo Harry Livingstone), 3rd Row – Will Antenbring (Photo Finn Daragh), Edem-Ita Duke (Photo Michael Wharley), Francis Lovehall (Photo Ruth Crafer), Abdul Sessay (Photo Olivia Spencer), 4th Row – Jacob Greenway (Photo Anthony Yates), David Shields (Photo Lee Malone), Hamish Frew (Photo Dan Pick), Alfie Middlemiss (Photo James Melia), Riess Fennell (Photo Adam Hills), 5th Row – Daniel Quincy Annoh (Photo YellowBelly), Bobby Schofield (Photo Ian Lyset), Dom Rayner (Photo M.A.D Photography) and Alexander Parsons
The cast also stars John Hodgkinson (Small Axe, Life After Life) reprising his stage role as former FA chairman Greg Clarke, Daniel Ryan (The Bay, The Hack) as Steve Holland, former assistant manager for the England men’s team, and Sam Spruell (The Gold, Fargo) as fictional coach, Mike Webster.
Casting is completed by Adam Hugill (Sherwood), Josh Barrow (Hostage) and Lewis Shepherd reprising their stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and Dele Alli; Will Antenbring (Mr Loverman) as Harry Kane, 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, Dom Rayner as Cole Palmer, and Alexander Parsons as Jesse Lingard.
Dear England, about Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team, proved a huge hit at the National Theatre when it premiered in 2023, and again at the National earlier this year.
The production also enjoyed a West End run at the Prince Edward Theatre, and is touring from September 2025.
Joseph Fiennes and the cast of the world premiere production of Dear England at the National Theatre. Photos by Marc Brenner
Dear England is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews.
Dear England (4×60) at the BBC was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. Tina Pawlik (Ted Lasso, Top Boy) is the producer. Executive producers are James Graham and Rupert Goold, Andy Harries and Rebecca Hodgson for Left Bank Pictures, and Jo McClellan and Sami El-Hadi for the BBC.
Dear England on stage is touring the UK from later this year, starting at the Plymouth Theatre Royal on 15 September, and visiting Nottingham, Canterbury, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Chichester, Southampton, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Norwich, Woking, Bradford, London Wimbledon, Liverpool, and Birmingham.
Dear England is playing at London’s New Wimbledon Theatre from 24 to 28 February 2026.
Book tickets to Dear England – UK Tour
What They Said
Writer and Executive Producer, James Graham, said in a statement: “Bringing the national game to the National Theatre over two years ago was one of the most rewarding moments of my writing life. Getting to tell this inspiring story of Gareth’s quiet revolution, and its themes of redemption, resilience, kindness and compassion in sport. To kick off its journey on screen now, and on our national broadcaster, is a huge opportunity and I’m so grateful to world class cast and creative team we’ve assembled.”
Andy Harries, CEO of Left Bank Pictures, said: “This is a premier league creative team and alongside the brilliant original team of James Graham, Rupert Goold and Joseph Fiennes we are over the moon to be reunited with Paul Whittington – who directed with such flair on The Crown. Jodie is pitch perfect as psychologist Pippa Grange and we are joined by a team of exciting actors joining the England squad. We are ready for kick off!”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: “We’re so thrilled to announce such a fantastic cast for Dear England and it has been a joy to witness the comradery within this top team as they start filming. With Joseph Fiennes and Jodie Whittaker leading the cast, Rupert Goold and Paul Whittington directing and Left Bank Pictures producing, BBC viewers are in for a real treat.”
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