Dear England and Brexit: The Uncivil War writer James Graham explains why he completely rejects “patronising” ‘too soon’ accusations

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I understand why some stories aren’t immediately suited for television, but I strongly disagree with the idea that anything is ‘too soon’ to adapt for the screen.

That quote comes from James Graham, the writer of Dear England, who recently joined us as a guest on The TopMob Writers’ Room.

He was addressing the idea that it’s sometimes too early to create a fictionalized account of recent events – a criticism he’s faced before, especially regarding his play about Dominic Cummings and his role in the Brexit referendum.

The 2019 Channel 4 drama Brexit: The Uncivil War, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as Dominic Cummings, came out only three years after the UK voted to leave the European Union. Graham finds the criticism that the drama was released too soon – before the full story of Brexit had unfolded – particularly annoying.

Graham believes the current focus prioritizes news, blogs, political commentary, and pundits over art forms like drama, TV, theatre, music, and film. He points out that, historically, theatre and dramatic performance actually originated much earlier – around two and a half thousand years ago – suggesting this prioritization is a recent shift.

In ancient Greece, theatre brought people together, and from those gatherings, democracy, journalism, and universities eventually developed. But it all started with storytelling – that’s how people originally understood the world around them. In a way, democracy itself was just a story people created and then brought to life.

Honestly, I really struggled with the idea of holding back dramatic interpretations during a hugely divisive national moment like Brexit. The suggestion that we should just wait until after things settle down, letting anyone and everyone offer their opinions without a considered, dramatic lens… it felt incredibly dismissive and missed the whole point of what drama can offer. It’s not helpful, and frankly, it feels a bit patronizing to think art should just stay silent during times of crisis.

Stories aren’t simply a way to pass the time; they help us understand what’s happening around us. I realized that Brexit wasn’t a finished event, but an unfolding one, and we needed to approach it carefully. After two years, I felt it was time for us to start sharing our own perspective on the situation.

I often had to defend our Brexit drama, ‘The Uncivil War,’ from unexpected criticism, even from people who were generally liberal or progressive. I pointed out that the time between our show airing and the Brexit vote was the same length of time that passed between the Watergate scandal and the film ‘All the President’s Men.’ Both dealt with major national events and were released about two and a half years after they happened, trying to help people understand what had occurred.

People don’t criticize ‘All the President’s Men’ for being reckless or shocking, so I felt justified in my approach. I knew some would question why I was introducing controversy, but I believe that’s exactly what good drama does. It doesn’t just create conflict; it fosters empathy, adds depth, and helps us see things in a more nuanced and insightful way.

Graham explains that artists – writers, painters, musicians, choreographers – will have the chance over the next century to interpret Brexit through their work. He emphasizes that his own artistic response didn’t need to be conclusive or offer any final answers.

I recognize that Dominic Cummings, portrayed by Benedict, is a divisive figure who elicits strong feelings. He’s certainly not without controversy. It’s important to avoid either idealizing or vilifying people like him, but I disagree with the idea that this is a problem in this case.

Graham’s new show, Dear England on the BBC, closely follows the real-life events it depicts, extending all the way to 2024.

This four-episode series is based on the play by the same name and tells the story of Gareth Southgate’s time as manager of the England football team. It shows how he transformed the team’s culture and led them to success.

The team hired psychologist Pippa Grange (played by Jodie Whittaker), who worked with the Football Association from 2017 to 2019, focusing on player and team development.

Joseph Fiennes is once again playing Gareth Southgate, a role he first performed at the National Theatre. However, bringing the story to the screen presents unique challenges. As director James Graham points out, the stage production relied on imagination, as there wasn’t any actual football played during the performances.

So, the director revealed something really interesting about the final episode. Apparently, the whole sequence where Gareth reaches what he calls his ‘Mordor’ – which is a metaphor for Germany, the team he famously missed a penalty against back in ’96 – is completely original footage. It wasn’t in the original script at all! It’s a fascinating personal touch, and it really adds a layer of meaning to his journey.

He said it was wonderful to finish things up, feeling grateful that the story had reached a satisfying and impactful conclusion.

This new project continues a trend for Graham, who has been primarily writing plays since 2005, of turning his stage work into other formats. He previously adapted ‘Quiz’ for ITV, and is currently collaborating with Danny Boyle on a film version of ‘Ink,’ featuring Jack O’Connell as Larry Lamb and Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch.

Graham discussed his various projects with us during a conversation for The TopMob Writers’ Room. He also talked about his work on the single-episode drama, Caught in a Trap, a significant episode of The Crown, and Sherwood – which is currently the only series he’s worked on that has returned for another season.

Speaking on the show ‘Sherwood’, the creator hinted that the next season will feature a new family facing a significant and difficult challenge. He described putting them through a very tough experience.

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Watch the complete video at the beginning of this article, and stay tuned for future visits to The TopMob Writers’ Room!

While you wait, feel free to revisit our past interviews with Mark Gatiss, Harry and Jack Williams, Noah Hawley, Neil Cross, Steven Knight, Chris Chibnall, Jack Thorne, Sarah Quintrell, Stefan Golaszewski, and Richard Gadd.

Dear England will begin on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm on Sunday 24 May 2026.

Don’t miss Dear England! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and features.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, an international television production company. He holds a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-05-24 08:35