Fans of Toxic Town, take note. Star of the powerful Netflix series, Jodie Whittaker, will soon be returning to our screens in another challenging role, as she's landed a part in the BBC's longed-for drama, Dear England. Billed, fittingly, as a pitch-perfect drama, Jodie will star alongside Joseph Fiennes and Jason Watkins in the TV adaptation of the hit theatre show, which is written by Sherwood creator, James Graham.
The fictionalised account of Gareth Southgate’s takeover of the England football team in 2016 will see Jodie is step into the shoes of the team's psychologist - and she's sure to have all manner of issues to deal with. Writer and executive producer, James Graham, has described "getting to tell this inspiring story of Gareth's quiet revolution, and its themes of redemption, resilience, kindness and compassion in sport" as a "huge opportunity" - and we can't wait to see what he has in store for us.
Ahead of the series arriving on our screens, here's everything you need to know about the BBC's Dear England adaptation, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What will happen in Dear England?
Dear England originally premiered on London’s National Theatre in 2023, and went on to win an Olivier award for best new play, so it’s got some serious pedigree. The play, and now the TV series – adapted by James Graham, too – is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and previous interviews. Joseph Fiennes will step into the boots of the real-life, former England manager Gareth Southgate, while Jodie Whittaker, last seen as Susan McIntyre in Toxic Town, will play Pippa Grange, the England men’s team psychologist.
As sporting fans will remember, the England football team don’t exactly have the greatest reputation for winning penalties on the world stage, so when Gareth takes over as manager, he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take England onto a winning streak. The country that gave the world football has delivered a painful pattern of loss, and the show will ask: Why can’t the England team win at their own game?
James Graham said that viewers are in for a riveting ride, that has been several years in the making: “To kick off its journey on screen now, and on our national broadcaster, is a huge opportunity and I'm so grateful to the world class cast and creative team we've assembled,” he says.
Who's starring in Dear England?
Alongside Jodie Whittaker as psychologist Pippa Grange and Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid's Tale) as Gareth Southgate, the cast includes:
- Jason Watkins (The Crown) is former FA chairman Greg Dyke
- John Hodgkinson (Small Axe) is former FA chairman Greg Clarke
- Daniel Ryan (The Bay) is Steve Holland, former assistant manager for the England men’s team
- Sam Spruell (The Gold) will be a fictional coach, Mike Webster
- Adam Hugill (Sherwood) will play Harry Maguire
- Josh Barrow (Hostage) will play Jordan Pickford
- Will Antenbring (Mr Loverman) is Harry Kane,
- Edem-Ita Duke (Mr Loverman) is Marcus Rashford
- Francis Lovehall (A Thousand Blows) is Raheem Sterling
- Abdul Sessay (Piglets) is Bukayo Saka
- Jacob Greenway (The Dream Lands) is Jude Bellingham
- David Shields (Masters of the Air) is Jordan Henderson
- Hamish Frew (Generation Z) is Eric Dier
- Alfie Middlemiss (Waterloo Road) is Phil Foden
- Riess Fennell (The Football Fanatics) is Jadon Sancho
- Daniel Quincy Annoh (The Recruit) is Ollie Watkins
- Bobby Schofield (Unforgivable) is Wayne Rooney
- Dom Rayner plays Cole Palmer
- Alexander Parsons will play Jesse Lingard
- Lewis Shepherd will be Dele Alli
How can I watch Dear England?
The BBC has shared that Dear England will arrive on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at some point in 2026, with an exact date yet to be announced. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll share it here. In the meantime, you can check out our pick of the best TV dramas to watch now here.
