James Graham's 'Dear England' Drama Premieres on BBC

James Graham's latest drama for the BBC, 'Dear England,' is based on his Olivier Award-winning play that chronicles Gareth Southgate's influence on the England men's football team. This four-part series features Joseph Fiennes as Southgate and Jodie Whittaker as psychologist Pippa Grange, dramatizing pivotal moments such as the team's inaugural World Cup penalty shootout victory. Graham, recognized for works like 'Sherwood' and 'Quiz,' delves into Southgate's approach to resolving players' penalty issues through mental coaching. The series also addresses the racial abuse directed at players like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka following Euro 2020. He points out that while football and drama bring people together, class inequalities persist, with only 8% of film and TV professionals hailing from working-class backgrounds, according to a report from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. Growing up in a mining village in Nottinghamshire, Graham attributes his success to a passionate drama teacher. He expresses concern over the English Baccalaureate's neglect of the arts, although the government intends to abolish it and elevate arts GCSEs, pledging £13 million to the National Centre for Arts and Music Education. 'Dear England' premieres on BBC One on May 24 at 21:00 BST and will also be available on iPlayer.