Key Highlights
- Gareth Southgate’s leadership of the England men’s team is celebrated in a new BBC drama.
- The series explores the psychological work done to improve penalty shootouts and the players’ mindset.
- Racism faced by players during Euro 2020 is also a central theme.
- James Graham, writer of “Dear England,” discusses the importance of arts in education.
The Rise of Dear England: A Drama of Hope and Unity
Gareth Southgate’s reign as manager of the England men’s football team was a story of real hope. The new BBC series, “Dear England,” captures his journey from underdog to World Cup hero.
Sportsmanship and Drama Unite Us
The series delves into the psychological work done by Pippa Grange to address the team’s problem with penalties. Southgate’s insight: “I think there’s something really wrong here…” This quote encapsulates his determination to improve not just on the pitch but also in the minds of his players.
Racism and Resilience
The drama also shines a light on the racial abuse faced by key players such as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka after their exit from Euro 2020. The series brings to life the challenges these young men had to overcome.
Access to Arts: A Shining Beacon
Writer James Graham, who delivered the MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival in 2024, highlights the importance of access to arts education. He notes that only 8% of those working in film, television, radio and photography are from a working-class background.
Graham grew up in a mining village in Nottinghamshire, finding solace in drama at his secondary school, which he credits for shaping him into the person he is today. “The accident of having a really good drama teacher” set him on this path, but he laments the diminishing access to such subjects.
He calls for more working-class representation in arts and media, noting that the English Baccalaureate does not include an art subject in its core curriculum. Graham is frustrated with “slow progress” in putting arts back into the curriculum, advocating for a broader understanding of cultural value.
A National Debate
Southgate’s approach to working-class talent and his transformative impact on the team have sparked important conversations about representation and opportunity within football. The series hopes to inspire not just fans but also the nation as a whole.
Graham believes that while football often thrives in working-class communities, drama and arts struggle with the same access issues. “Sometimes if you just don’t think that culture is for you,” he says, it can be easy to overlook its value.
With “Dear England” opening on BBC One from Sunday 24 May at 21:00 BST and on iPlayer, Graham’s vision of a more inclusive future through arts education comes to life. The drama is a reminder that sometimes, the smallest spark can ignite real change.
