The BBC has announced airing details for Dear England, a four-part drama adapted from James Graham’s acclaimed National Theatre play about Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team. The series will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer in May 2026.

Dear England will debut its first two episodes on BBC iPlayer at 9pm on Sunday 24 May 2026, with the remaining episodes following on Sunday 31 May. On BBC One, the episodes will be broadcast over two nights, Sunday 24 and Monday 25 May at 9pm.

The series is penned by James Graham, whose award-winning National Theatre play inspired the production. The original play, which premiered in 2023, won the Olivier Award for Best New Play and featured a successful national tour.

Rupert Goold, who directed the stage production, directs the first episode of the television adaptation, while Paul Whittington directs episodes two through four. Joseph Fiennes reprises his Olivier and WhatsOnStage-nominated role as England manager Gareth Southgate.

The cast includes Jodie Whittaker as team psychologist Pippa Grange and Jason Watkins as former FA chairman Greg Dyke. John Hodgkinson returns as Greg Clarke. The ensemble also features Daniel Ryan as assistant manager Steve Holland and Sam Spruell as fictional coach Mike Webster.

Other returning stage cast members include Adam Hugill as Harry Maguire, Josh Barrow as Jordan Pickford, and Lewis Shepherd as Dele Alli. The squad is rounded out by Will Antenbring as Harry Kane, Edem-Ita Duke as Marcus Rashford, and Francis Lovehall as Raheem Sterling, among others.

Produced by Tina Pawlik for Left Bank Pictures, executive producers include Graham, Goold, Andy Harries, Rebecca Hodgson, and Jo McClellan. Sony Pictures Television will oversee international distribution.

This dramatised telling offers a fictionalised account of the England team’s journey, reflecting growing interest in sports narratives on television and stage.