The BBC drama starring Joseph Fiennes as Gareth Southgate promises to be a must-see football drama inspired by true events07:11, 24 May 2026Dear England: Joseph Fiennes stars in BBC trailer Dear England arrives on screens this evening, promising viewers an unmissable experience.‌The BBC seires, launching on Sunday (May 24), has been adapted from playwright and screenwriter James Graham's stage production of the same title, reports the Liverpool Echo.‌Discussing the transition from theatre to television, Graham revealed: "I always hoped there might be a screen life to Dear England, which would allow us to get inside the heads of the characters with a more intimate quality compared to the epic theatricality of the stage play.‌"It's been incredibly exciting to translate the story and the backstage world of the England men's football team into television."There's a huge reach to TV dramas too – this is a national side, it was shown at the National Theatre and it's now going to be on our national broadcaster, the BBC, where the whole nation can access it.""I'm a big believer that stories like this should be for everybody and while theatre is great for packing people into a space, there are barriers to that, so the opportunity to put Dear England on TV made me feel excited to talk about these themes on a popular level."‌Here's your complete guide to Dear England, covering start time, episode count, cast and storyline.When does Dear England begin tonight on the BBC?Dear England commences on BBC One this evening at 9pm and will be accessible for streaming on BBC iPlayer.‌How many episodes does Dear England comprise?Dear England comprises four episodes in total, with the second instalment scheduled for Monday, May 25 at 9pm.The third episode will be shown on BBC One on Sunday, May 31 at 9pm, while the concluding fourth episode goes out on Monday, June 1 at 9pm.BBC iPlayer will make episodes three and four available from Sunday, May 31 onwards.‌Who is in the cast of Dear England?Dear England boasts an extensive ensemble headed by Joseph Fiennes, known for The Handmaid's Tale and Shakespeare in Love, portraying England football boss Gareth Southgate.Jodie Whittaker, recognised from Doctor Who and Broadchurch, takes on the role of Football Association psychologist Pippa Grange.Jason Watkins, familiar from Line of Duty and The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, appears as television executive and football administrator Greg Dyke.‌Additional performers include John Hodgkinson as Greg Clarke, Ben Chapman as Luke Shaw, Daniel Ryan as Steve Holland, The Gold's Sam Spruell as Mike Webster, Adam Hugill as Harry Maguire, Josh Barrow as Jordan Pickford, Lewis Shepherd as Dele Alli, Will Antenbring as Harry Kane, Edem-Ita Duke as Marcus Rashford, Francis Lovehall as Raheem Sterling, Abdul Sessay as Bukayo Saka, Jacob Greenway as Jude Bellingham, and David Shields as Jordan Henderson.Further cast members include Hamish Frew as Eric Dier, Alfie Middlemiss as Phil Foden, Riess Fennell as Jadon Sancho, Daniel Quincy Annoh as Ollie Watkins, Bobby Schofield as Wayne Rooney, Dom Rayner as Cole Palmer, Alexander Parsons as Jesse Lingard, Lee Chapman as Jamie Vardy, Michael Watson as Kieran Trippier, Sam Makepeace-Beach as Declan Rice, Drew Thomas-Bissmire as Kyle Walker, and Alexander Grantham as Aaron Ramsdale.‌What is the plot of Dear England?A logline from the BBC for Dear England reads: "With the worst team track record for penalties in the world when he takes over as manager, Gareth Southgate 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 opening episode sees Southgate assuming control of the England squad during their darkest hour, following an embarrassing defeat to England.Article continues belowTormented by his own infamous penalty failure, Southgate inherits a demoralised side and dubious supporters as he attempts to guide them towards success.Enlisting a sports psychologist, Southgate endeavours to transform the squad's mentality and confront both their collective dread of penalties and his own personal demons.Dear England airs on BBC One tonight BBC One at 9pm and BBC iPlayer