Jodie Whittaker, Daniel Ryan and Jason Watkins and more to star alongside Joseph Fiennes in new BBC One drama 'Dear England'

Filming has now begun on the new drama adapted from James Graham’s hit National Theatre play of the same name.

BBC One has today announced that Jodie Whittaker, Daniel Ryan and Jason Watkins will star alongside Joseph Fiennes in their upcoming four-part adaptation of James Graham's Olivier award-winning play, Dear England, which follows Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football 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?

Joseph Fiennes will reprise the role he played on stage, Gareth Southgate, with Jodie Whittaker joining the cast as Pippa Grange, the England men’s team psychologist, while Jason Watkins is former FA chairman Greg Dyke and John Hodgkinson reprises his stage role as former FA chairman Greg Clarke.

Daniel Ryan will play Steve Holland, former assistant manager for the England men’s team and Sam Spruell will also star as fictional coach, Mike Webster.

Also starring in Dear England will be Adam Hugill, Josh Barrow and screen newcomer Lewis Shepherd who each reprise their respective stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and Dele Alli. Will Antenbring will play 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 and newcomers Dom Rayner and Alexander Parsons are Cole Palmer and Jesse Lingard respectively.

Produced by Left Bank Pictures, Dear England is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews.

The stage play premiered at the National Theatre to five-star reviews, winning an Olivier award for ‘Best New Play’ and a sell-out run in 2023. It returned to the National Theatre earlier this year before embarking on a national tour.

The four-part adaptation for BBC One will be written by James Graham, with Rupert Goold, who directed Dear England on stage directing episode one and Paul Whittington directing episodes two to four. It'll be produced by Tina Pawlik and executive produced by James Graham and Rupert Goold, Andy Harries and Rebecca Hodgson for Left Bank Pictures, and Jo McClellan and Sami El-Hadi for the BBC.

Speaking about today's casting news, writer and executive producer James Graham said "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."

To which the BBC's Director of Drama, Lindsay Salt, added "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."

And 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!"

Dear England will air in 2026 on BBC One