Dear England cast: Joseph Fiennes and Jodie Whittaker star

The four-episode BBC series, Dear England, dramatizes Gareth Southgate’s time as manager of the England national football team, featuring portrayals of many well-known figures from the world of football.

Joseph Fiennes returns as Gareth Southgate, a role he originally played in the stage play, while Jodie Whittaker portrays Pippa Grange, a psychologist Southgate brought on board to help the Football Association.

Besides Harry Kane, played by Will Antenbring, who else appears in the series and what roles do they play?

As a total movie buff, I’m really excited about ‘Dear England,’ and I’ve been digging up all the info on the actors. I’ve put together a little guide with pictures of the cast alongside the real-life people they’re playing – it’s fascinating to see the comparisons!

Dear England cast guide: Full list of actors

Meet the stars of Dear England! Below, you’ll find details about the actors and the characters they play, plus where you might recognize them from.

Joseph Fiennes as Gareth Southgate
Jodie Whittaker as Pippa Grange
Will Antenbring as Harry Kane
Jason Watkins as Greg Dyke
John Hodgkinson as Greg Clarke
Daniel Ryan as Steve Holland
Sam Spruell as Mike Webster
Adam Hugill as Harry Maguire
Josh Barrow as Jordan Pickford
Lewis Shepherd as Dele Alli
Edem-Ita Duke as Marcus Rashford
Francis Lovehall as Raheem Sterling
Abdul Sessay as Bukayo Saka
Jacob Greenway as Jude Bellingham
David Shields as Jordan Henderson
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
Xander Westcarr-Parsons as Jesse Lingard

Joseph Fiennes plays Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate is a former England soccer player, having played for the national team 57 times between 1995 and 2004. He also managed the England team from 2016 to 2024.

You might recognize Joseph Fiennes from movies like Elizabeth, Shakespeare in Love, Enemy at the Gates, Killing Me Softly, and Hercules. He’s also appeared in TV shows including Flashforward, Camelot, American Horror Story, The Handmaid’s Tale, Prisoner 951, and Young Sherlock.

Jodie Whittaker plays Pippa Grange

Pippa Grange is a psychologist who worked at The Football Association from 2017 to 2019, leading their people and team development efforts.

You probably recognize Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor in Doctor Who. Beyond that, she’s appeared in a variety of popular TV shows like Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Cranford, Black Mirror, Broadchurch, Trust Me, One Night, Time, Toxic Town, Ready Eddie Go! and Frauds. She’s also been in films such as St Trinian’s, Attack the Block, One Day, Get Santa, Adult Life Skills, Journeyman, and That Christmas.

Will Antenbring plays Harry Kane

Harry Kane is a forward for the England national team. He’s been the captain since 2018 and holds the record for most goals scored for England.

Where have I seen Will Antenbring? Antenbring previously appeared in Mr Loverman.

Jason Watkins plays Greg Dyke

Who is Greg Dyke? Greg Dyke was the chairman of the FA from 2013 to 2016.

You might recognize Jason Watkins from a wide range of popular TV shows and films. He’s appeared in series like EastEnders, Little Dorrit, Being Human, Doctor Who, Friday Night Dinner, Line of Duty, and The Crown, as well as films including Nativity! and Hampstead. He’s also been in shows like Psychoville, Prisoners Wives, Miranda, Taboo, A Very English Scandal, Trollied, W1A, Des, Around the World in 80 Days, SAS Rogue Heroes, The Catch, McDonald & Dodds, Coma, The Game, Inside No. 9, Dirty Business and Falling, and the film Wicked Little Letters.

John Hodgkinson plays Greg Clarke

Who is Greg Clarke? Greg Clarke was the chairman of The Football Association from 2016 to 2020.

You know, I always recognize faces, and I was just trying to place John Hodgkinson! It turns out he’s been in so much! I’ve seen him pop up in everything from long-running shows like EastEnders and Holby City, to brilliant comedies like Peep Show and Witless. He was even in some really big stuff – Skyfall and Napoleon! Plus, dramas like Victoria, Catherine the Great, and Small Axe. Oh, and don’t forget the wonderfully silly Thunderpants. He really gets around!

Daniel Ryan plays Steve Holland

Steve Holland is a former professional soccer player who worked as an assistant coach for the England national team under Gareth Southgate.

I always recognize that face! Where have I seen Daniel Ryan before? Oh, now I remember – he’s been in so much! I’ve spotted him in shows like The Bill, Doctor Who, and Home Fires. He was also great in Mount Pleasant, Vera, Four Lives, Crossfire, Litvinenko, Passenger, The Bay, Such Brave Girls, The Hack, and The Lady. He’s really built up a solid career!

Sam Spruell plays Mike Webster

Who is Mike Webster? Mike Webster is a fictional coach for the England team.

You might recognize Sam Spruell from a number of popular TV shows and movies. He’s appeared in series like Spooks, Luther, The Last Ship, Liar, Doctor Who, Fargo, Dune: Prophecy, The Gold, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. He’s also been in films including Legend, The Martian, The Lady in the Van, and H is For Hawk.

Adam Hugill plays Harry Maguire

Who is Harry Maguire? Harry is a professional footballer and member of the England team since 2017.

You know, I’ve been racking my brain trying to place Adam Hugill – where do I know that face from? It finally hit me – I’ve seen him in quite a few things! He was in the series Pennyworth, The Watch, and Sherwood, plus Towards Zero and even Marvel Zombies. Oh, and he was in those big films 1917 and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness too! He’s been building up a really solid career.

Josh Barrow plays Jordan Pickford

Jordan Pickford is a professional soccer player who has been the goalkeeper for the England national team since 2017.

Where have I seen Josh Barrow? Barrow has had roles in series including Temple, Hostage and Vera.

Lewis Shepherd plays Dele Alli

Dele Alli is a professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for the England national team, a role he’s held since 2015.

Where have I seen Lewis Shepherd? Shepherd previously appeared in an episode of Lynley.

Edem-Ita Duke plays Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford is a professional soccer player who has played as a forward for the England national team since 2016.

You might recognize Edem-Ita Duke from her appearances in TV shows like War of the Worlds, Vera, and Mr Loverman.

Francis Lovehall plays Raheem Sterling

I’m a big fan of Raheem Sterling – he’s a truly talented footballer! He’s been playing as a winger for the England national team since 2012, and it’s been amazing to watch him develop over the years.

You might recognize Francis Lovehall from shows like Small Axe, His Dark Materials, Champion, Criminal Record, Masters of the Air, A Thousand Blows, and Waiting for the Out. He’s also appeared in the film Death on the Nile.

Abdul Sessay plays Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka is a professional soccer player who plays as a winger for the England national team, starting in 2020.

You might recognize Abdul Sessay from his appearances in Doctor Who, Piglets, and the movie My Oxford Year.

Jacob Greenway plays Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham is a professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the England national team, having joined them in 2020.

I keep recognizing Jacob Greenway, but I can’t quite place him! I just realized I’ve seen him in a few different shows – he was in ‘Father Brown,’ ‘Emmerdale,’ and ‘Riot Women.’ That’s where I know him from!

David Shields plays Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson is a professional soccer player who has played as a midfielder for the England national team since 2010.

You might recognize David Shields from his appearances in several popular movies and TV shows. He’s been in films like The Bad Education Movie, Judy, and Benediction, and has also had roles in series including The Crown, Doctor Who, Treadstone, Black Mirror, Masters of the Air, and Van der Valk.

Hamish Frew plays Eric Dier

Eric Dier is a professional soccer player who has played as a centre-back for the England national team since 2015.

Where have I seen Hamish Frew? Frew has had roles in the series The Girlfriend and Joan.

Alfie Middlemiss plays Phil Foden

Phil Foden is a professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the England national team, having joined the team in 2020.

You might recognize Alfie Middlemiss from his appearances in the TV shows Emmerdale, The Madame Blanc Mysteries, and Doctors.

Riess Fennell plays Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho is a professional soccer player who plays as a winger for the England national team, having joined them in 2018.

Where have I seen Riess Fennell? Fennell has had roles in Doctors and The Football Fanatics.

Daniel Quincy Annoh plays Ollie Watkins

Ollie Watkins is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the England national team, having joined them in 2021.

Where have I seen Daniel Quincy Annoh? Annoh has appeared in the series The Recruit.

Bobby Schofield plays Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is a retired professional soccer player who played as a forward for England from 2003 to 2018. He’s known as one of England’s all-time leading goalscorers, ranking second in the nation’s history.

You might recognize Bobby Schofield from his roles in several TV shows and movies. He’s been in series like Knightfall, Inside No. 9, Time, Anne, The Suspect, The Walk-In, Eric, SAS Rogue Heroes, and This City is Ours, as well as the TV film Unforgivable. He’s also appeared in films including The Catcher Was a Spy, How to Build a Girl, Locked Down, Cherry, Don’t Breathe 2, and The Covenant.

Dom Rayner plays Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer is a professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for the England national team. He’s been with the team since 2023.

Where have I seen Dom Rayner? Dear England is Rayner’s first on screen role.

Xander Westcarr-Parsons plays Jesse Lingard

Jesse Lingard is a professional soccer player who played for the England national team as an attacking midfielder or winger from 2016 to 2021.

Where have I seen Xander Westcarr-Parsons? Dear England is Westcarr-Parsons’s first on screen role.

Dear England begins at 9pm on Sunday 24 May on BBC One and iPlayer.

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 exclusive content.

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 TV production company. He has a BA in English and Theatre Studies and a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-05-24 08:42