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

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Similar to how Victor Kiam famously bought a company after loving their product, playwright James Graham was deeply moved by Gareth Southgate’s story. After missing a crucial penalty that led to England’s defeat in the 1996 Euros, Southgate later transformed the team’s success. Graham was so inspired by this turnaround that he decided to write a play about it.

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.

Critics and audiences both loved ‘Dear England.’ It premiered at the National Theatre in 2023 and then played in London’s West End, returned to the National, and moved to Salford. Finally, it toured England, which was a smart decision given the play’s focus.

Inspired by a 2021 open letter Gareth Southgate wrote to England fans – a letter calling for a more welcoming and inclusive vision of the country – “Dear England” won the Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2024. The play has since been enjoyed by almost half a million people in live performances.

Graham has adapted his play into a four-episode series for BBC One, bringing back Joseph Fiennes as Gareth Southgate. This project is a natural fit for Graham, a seasoned TV writer known for hits like Quiz (about the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? cheating scandal), Brexit: The Uncivil War (starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Dominic Cummings), and the acclaimed drama Sherwood, with another series of Sherwood already planned.

As a film buff, I always find it fascinating to hear how screenwriters talk about adaptation. Graham put it brilliantly – you’d assume having source material, characters, and research already done would make things easier, right? But he said it felt the opposite. He described it like trying to retrace your steps backwards out of a forest, leaving everything you knew behind, and then having to find a completely new path in. Honestly, he thinks it’s much harder to adapt someone else’s work than to start with a blank page and build something original.

Even though it was difficult, Graham handled the task with ease, and his passion for the story never faded. He notes that it’s rare to see something truly improve in public life, whether in politics or elsewhere. However, the remarkable turnaround of the men’s football team, led by a quiet and kind leader, was a notable exception.

He wasn’t someone who intimidated or hurt others. Many powerful people today seem to gain influence by being unkind and cruel, but Gareth achieved remarkable things through kindness, goodness, and by including everyone. I found that truly inspiring.

Graham describes Dear England as a timeless story with a strong moral message, particularly for young men learning to cope with challenges. He compares it to a Shakespearean or operatic drama, explaining that it’s about a man who faced intense criticism for something that happened two decades prior, and then bravely returned to the spotlight years later.

Despite facing hardship, he didn’t let negativity consume him. He emerged stronger and determined to make a real difference, both within the team and for the nation. That’s why I consider Gareth a timeless hero.

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

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Authors

Gareth McLean

For almost three decades, Gareth McLean has been a professional television writer. He’s reviewed countless shows as a critic and interviewed hundreds of prominent figures, including Liza Minnelli and Jimmy Savile, as a feature writer. He’s also worked as a writer on television programs.

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2026-05-20 10:36