Lead Casting Revealed For 'Dear England'

Producers have revealed initial casting for the return of James Graham's Olivier Award-winning play Dear England which will return to London at the Olivier Theatre (National Theatre) for a 10-week season in March 2025.

Gwilym Lee (Bohemian Rhapsody) will play the lead role of England football manager Gareth Southgate, as he attempts to navigate the England team to success. Lee takes over from Joseph Fiennes, who received an Olivier Award nomination for his performance in the role.

Graham's play will differ from the original 2023 production and has been tweaked to incorporate the events of this summer’s UEFA European Championship.

Lee commented on the appointment, saying: “I am thrilled to return to the stage after seven years (and to the National Theatre after nearly twice that) to play Gareth Southgate in Rupert Goold’s brilliant production. I can’t say I grew up with football in my bones, like some, but even I was swept up in the wave of excitement and optimism that this group of players under Gareth Southgate created again and again. They struck a chord that resonated beyond the world of football and started a conversation about things like identity, leadership, and Englishness that James Graham so passionately encapsulates in this play. I can’t wait to take on the role and continue this conversation.”

The creative team behind the production will include director Rupert Goold, costume designer Evie Gurney, set designer Es Devlin, video designer Ash J Woodward, additional music by Max Perryment, lighting designer Jon Clark, co-movement directors Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf, co-sound designers Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons, and revival director Elin Schofield.

Additional casting will be announced in due course.