BBC adaptation of 'Dear England' begins production as further cast revealed

The BBC drama Dear England based on James Graham’s National Theatre play about Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team has begun production in the south of England, UK.

Previously announced, Joseph Fiennes will reprise his role as Gareth Southgate in the four part series produced by Left Bank Pictures.

Jodie Whittaker joins the cast as Pippa Grange, the England men’s team psychologist, while Jason Watkins plays former FA chairman Greg Dyke; John Hodgkinson reprises his stage role as former FA chairman Greg Clarke and Daniel Ryan (The joins as is Steve Holland, former assistant manager for the England men’s team. Sam Spruell will also star as fictional coach, Mike Webster.

Adam Hugill, Josh Barrow and screen newcomer Lewis Shepherd reprise their respective stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and Dele Alli. Will Antenbring plays Harry Kane, Edem-Ita Duke plays Marcus Rashford, Francis Lovehall (plays Raheem Sterling, Abdul Sessay plays Bukayo Saka, Jacob Greenway plays Jude Bellingham, David Shields plays Jordan Henderson, Hamish Frew plays Eric Dier, Alfie Middlemiss plays Phil Foden, Riess Fennell plays Jadon Sancho, Daniel Quincy Annoh plays Ollie Watkins, Bobby Schofield plays is Wayne Rooney and newcomers Dom Rayner and Alexander Parsons are Cole Palmer and Jesse Lingard respectively.

Dear England is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews.  James Graham will write the series, with Rupert Goold, who directed Dear England on stage, directing episode one.

Paul Whittington, whose credits include This Town, The Crown, and White House Farm will direct episodes two to four. Tina Pawlik 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. 

Image credit: L-R: (Top) Jodie Whittaker (Image: Pip), Jason Watkins (Image: Natasha Merchany), John Hodgkinson (Image: Michael Shelford), Daniel Ryan (Image: Simon Annand) (Bottom) Sam Spruell (Image: Pip), Adam Hugill (Image: Harry Livingstone), Josh Barrow (Image: Ori Jones), Lewis Shepherd (Image: Harry Livingstone).