Peter Davison and A Very Peculiar Practice creator reflect on one of British TV’s most surreal hidden gems

As a huge fan of adaptations, I always get excited when I see Andrew Davies’ name attached to a project. He really knows how to bring a classic to life! Remember his Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth back in ’95? Everyone was talking about it! And Bleak House in 2005? I was totally hooked, rushing to watch every episode – it felt like a really good soap opera with those cliffhangers.

Dear England writer explains secret of Gareth Southgate story: “It’s a Shakespearean story, an operatic story”

Honestly, seeing ‘Dear England’ felt like so much more than just a play about Gareth Southgate and his approach to managing the team. It wasn’t just about football, even though, as Bill Shankly said, that’s pretty important in itself! It really dug into what it means to be English, what modern men are expected to be, and the struggles guys face with their mental health. It was about finding hope, a sense of belonging, and the possibility of turning things around. And the way it was done! It was a proper theatrical experience, full of music, movement, genuinely funny bits, and moments that really hit you emotionally.