Dear England true story: How closely does the series stick to Gareth Southgate’s real story?

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The new four-episode BBC series, Dear England, is based on James Graham’s popular stage play. Joseph Fiennes, who first played the lead role in the play at the National Theatre, returns to play the same character in this TV adaptation.

He’s portraying Gareth Southgate in the show, which focuses on Southgate’s time managing the England national team from 2016 to 2024.

The show features Jodie Whittaker playing Pippa Grange and Will Antenbring as Harry Kane, portraying the lives of these real people. However, it raises the question of how much of the series is based on actual events and how much is fictionalized for entertainment purposes.

Read on for everything you need to know about the true story behind Dear England.

Is Dear England based on a play?

Yes! The play Dear England, adapted by James Graham from the same story, premiered at the National Theatre in 2023. Since then, it’s been performed in London’s West End, returned to the National Theatre, played at The Lowry in Salford, and toured the UK.

The play has been revised over time to reflect events that happened after 2023, including Gareth Southgate leaving the team and the Euro 2024 competition.

These details are also explored in the series Dear England, which delves into them even further.

How closely does Dear England follow Gareth Southgate’s true story?

Everything you see in the four episodes of Dear England actually happened. The series is based on James Graham’s play, and the creators went even further, adding new research to make sure the TV show is accurate and reflects real events.

Graham described the research process for the series as a wonderful six months spent talking to top players, commentators, and experts. These conversations broadened their understanding and inspired new scenes, ideas, and viewpoints for the television show.

The narrative continued even after the play concluded. The original story arc ended with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, marking Gareth’s third tournament as manager. He went on to manage a fourth tournament, and that forms the basis of our fourth episode in this series.

As stated at the beginning of each episode of Dear England, the series is a dramatized version of the England national football team’s journey – their challenges and achievements.

The story is inspired by true events, developed through thorough research and interviews. While some characters are based on real individuals, others were invented to enhance the narrative.

I was really impressed with Sam Spruell’s portrayal of Mike Webster, the England team coach. It’s cool how they created a character specifically for the show, because while there have been tons of England coaches over time, Mike isn’t based on any one real person – he’s totally fictional, which gives the writers a lot of freedom.

Other moments, such as private conversations, have also been imagined.

When adapting stories about famous people, it feels like we already know everything about them – their lives, how they act, and their personalities. That’s why it feels a little bold to portray someone like Harry Kane, the England captain, or iconic players like Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne on screen. It feels presumptuous because their stories are so well-known.

When writing about real people, I believe it’s important to portray them accurately and with fairness, and I feel a strong responsibility to do so. I make an effort to learn as much as I can about them – for example, I was fortunate enough to spend time with Gareth while working on this project.

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He went on to explain that, ultimately, everyone plays a role, much like an actor in a play. Whether it’s a famous athlete like Harry Kane or a Shakespearean character like Othello, they all have motivations, face challenges, and pursue goals. It’s important to consider what they learn, how they grow, and what their inherent strengths and weaknesses are.

Having a pre-existing biography is a good starting point, it saves you from having to invent everything. However, you eventually need to add your own interpretation, and I think audiences appreciate that. For example, I wasn’t actually present in the locker room during halftime when we were losing to Slovakia at the Germany 2024 tournament.

As soon as the game is over, these players become real to me. I really try to imagine what their lives are like off the field – what they might say to each other in private, and what might happen behind the scenes. It’s my way of connecting with them beyond just what everyone sees during the match.

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 suggestions, articles, and more.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

I follow James Hibbs, a drama writer at TopMob. He covers shows on all kinds of platforms, from streaming services to traditional TV. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations – first at a business-to-business agency, and then at Fremantle, a big international TV production company. He has a strong background in both arts and journalism, with a BA in English and Theatre Studies, plus a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-05-24 08:38