Jodie Whittaker (Toxic Town) will play Pippa Grange, the psychologist for the England men’s team. Jason Watkins (The Crown) will appear as former FA chairman Greg Dyke. Reprising their stage role will be John Hodgkinson (Small Axe) as former FA chairman Greg Clarke. He will be joined by Daniel Ryan (The Bay) as former assistant England men’s manager Steve Hollan and Sam Spruell (Fargo) as fictional coach Mike Webster.
Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) will reprise his role in the play as Gareth Southgate, as previously announced. Adam Hugill (Sherwood), Josh Barrow (Hostage) and Lewis Shepherd will also be reprising their roles from the play, namely Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and Dele Alli.
Will Antenbring (Mr Loverman) will play Harry Kane, Edem-Ita Duke (Mr Loverman) Marcus Rashford, Francis Lovehall (A Thousand Blows) Raheem Sterling and Abdul Sessay (Piglets) Bukayo Saka.
Jude Bellingham will be played by Jacob Greenway (The Dream Lands), Jordan Henderson by David Shields (Masters of the Air) and Eric Dier by Hamish Frew (Generation Z). Alfie Middlemiss (Waterloo Road) will play Phil Foden, Riess Fennell (The Football Fantastics) Jadon Sancho, Daniel Quincy Annoh (The Recruit) Ollie Watkins and Bobby Schofield (Unforgivable) Wayne Rooney. Cole Palmer and Jesse Lingard will be played by newcomers Dom Rayner and Alexander Parsons.
Dear England explores Gareth Southgate’s management of the England men’s team. The play premiered in 2023 at the National Theatre, to rave reviews. James Graham, writer and executive producer for the TV adaptation, recently went into more detail about his career at an event co-hosted by the RTS.
“Bringing the national game to the National Theatre over two years ago was one of the most rewarding moments of my writing life,” said James Graham. “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.”
“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,” said director of BBC drama Lindsay Salt. “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.”
Dear England will air on BBC One in 2026, when it will also be available on iPlayer.