The BBC series Dear England, adapted from James Graham's award-winning play, delivers a surprisingly emotional look at Gareth Southgate's tenure as England manager. However, despite its many strengths, it has one undeniable issue that may leave viewers questioning certain creative choices.
A Moment of Disbelief
Midway through the first episode, the England team, led by Southgate (Joseph Fiennes), undergoes a 48-hour Royal Marines boot camp, complete with muddy waters and camping under the stars. This scene, set just months after Southgate took over from Sam Allardyce, initially seemed implausible. A quick internet search, however, confirmed that the event actually happened, and like former England player Raheem Sterling, who participated, this fictionalised version of Southgate's tenure won me over.
Sterling later described the commando training as a 'massive' moment in uniting the group, and Graham's series, directed by Rupert Gould and Paul Whittington, similarly exceeded expectations, evoking tears on more than one occasion.
A Fresh Perspective on Football
As an avid football fan, I was skeptical about the need for another series on England's footballing achievements. Having not seen the stage play, I approached with fresh eyes. Yet, this fictional imagination of the England coaching team and players changed how I will watch football forever. Fiennes, despite expressing nervousness about playing Southgate, morphs convincingly into the former Middlesbrough player.
The series portrays Southgate's surprisingly peculiar approach: instead of a no-nonsense coach, he uses sports psychologist Pippa Grange (Jodie Whittaker) to introduce a softer approach, replacing fear with joy and mental resilience. This tactic proves effective with players.
Powerful Themes and Humbling Moments
Dear England asks important questions about how the nation supports its football teams, going beyond the sport itself. As an England fan who has screamed at the television, this tender four-part series is a humbling watch. Graham's dialogue offers meditative hope for unity in divisive times. A particularly powerful moment addresses the racial abuse players faced after Euro 2020. The series also evokes nostalgia for magical football summers and provides brilliant commentary on where the nation has gone wrong in supporting its team, especially ahead of this year's World Cup.
The Flaw: Jarring Fictionalisation
Despite its interesting premise, certain fictionalised conversations feel jarring. For instance, a scene where the FA chairman casually speaks to Southgate in a urinal while players walk past undermines the drama's authenticity. Additionally, the use of archive footage to show previous results sometimes makes the series feel more like a documentary than a drama. As the show attempts to capture the rapidly changing political landscape—including the Covid-19 lockdown, Liz Truss's reign, and the Queen's death—it becomes chaotic and unclear what the series is trying to say.
Conclusion
When focused on how England fans' arrogance can cause damage, the series is strong and has changed my approach to football. The first episode airs at 9pm on BBC One on Sunday.
