The four-part drama, based on the hit National Theatre play of the same name, will be written by James Graham.
Dear England follows Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team and will see Joseph Fiennes reprise the role of Southgate, which he played on stage and Rupert Goold who directed the play on stage, will also direct the series.
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 official synopsis reads; It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t the England team win at their own game?
Speaking about the upcoming adaptation, Andy Harries, CEO of Left Bank Pictures and executive producer on Dear England, said “Dear England is a theatrical tour de force from one of the most exciting playwrights of our generation. Left Bank Pictures are thrilled to be working with James Graham once again and I’m certain that the TV adaptation of Dear England will be as ground-breaking as the play itself.”
To which the BBC’s Director of Drama, Lindsay Salt added “Dear England was a back-of-the-net triumph on stage, and we could not be happier to work with James Graham, Joseph Fiennes, Rupert Goold and the team to give it the perfect home on the BBC. A story about the England team, football, national identity and so much more, this is hugely entertaining must-see television drama.”
Dear England will be executive produced by James Graham and Rupert Goold, Andy Harries for Left Bank Picture and Jo McClellan for the BBC.
Further details about Dear England will be announced in due course.
Dear England will air on BBC One