Dear England — date and trailer for football drama

The BBC has released the trailer for football drama Dear England, coming later this month

Joseph Fiennes stars as Gareth Southgate, aiming to start a new chapter with the England men’s football team.

**What is Dear England about and who stars**

We last mentioned this several months ago, now we have several photos, full cast detail and a summary courtesy of the latest press release. The four-part series is based on James Graham’s multi award-winning play of the same name about Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team. It is made by Left Bank Pictures (This City is Ours, The Crown) for the BBC. The show is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of the England men’s team, based on extensive research and interviews.

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. On BBC One the episodes will air on Sunday and Monday nights at 9pm from Sunday 24 May.

The story

The trailer sees Joseph Fiennes as Gareth Southgate as he aims to start a new chapter with the England men’s 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?

The cast

Joseph Fiennes is joined by Jodie Whittaker (Toxic Town) as England men’s team psychologist Pippa Grange, Jason Watkins (The Game, The Crown) is former FA chairman Greg Dyke and John Hodgkinson (Small Axe, Life After Life) is former FA chairman Greg Clarke. Daniel Ryan (The Bay, The Hack) is Steve Holland, former assistant manager for the England men’s team. Sam Spruell (The Gold, Fargo) stars as fictional coach, Mike Webster.

England men's football team — L-R: Alfie Middlemiss (Phil Foden), David Shields (Jordan Henderson), Will Antenbring (Harry Kane), Francis Lovehall (Raheem Sterling), Abdul Sessay (Bukayo Saka), Sam Baker Jones (Jack Grealish). (Image: BBC/Left Bank/Justin Downing)

As you might imagine, there’s a huge cast including the players and from the pictures (including the one above) well chosen to evoke the players. Enjoy the trailer (and hopefully the World Cup as well!)