Dear England drama: ‘A story of real hope’ says writer

The series also delves into the racist abuse faced by players when they miss these penalties, like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after the team’s exit from the Euros 2020.

And the name of the BBC drama is reference to the opening line of a heartfelt letter penned by Southgate in which the former manager explains what matters is more than the result of a game: “It’s about how we conduct ourselves on and off the pitch, how we bring people together, how we inspire and unite”.

Graham says he found the letter and “the aspiration to be decent and to be good” very moving.

Jodie Whittaker, known for Doctor Who and Toxic Town, feels the story is particularly important in the lead up to the next World Cup in July because “no matter the outcome, those young men and that entire coaching staff deserve the utmost respect”.

Actor Joseph Fiennes, known for Young Sherlock and Shakespeare in Love, who plays Southgate, adds: “Hopefully this gives us an insight into what it’s like to take a penalty, to lose a penalty, the ramifications of that.”

He adds: “I don’t want the team to lose, but I think as a nation, as players, as fans, sometimes we have to learn to lose and get better at it because that’s an inevitability of the game. And I hope that people can do that with respect.”