It has been revealed that Joseph Fiennes will play England men’s soccer manager Gareth Southgate in a new play at the National Theatre.
The Handmaid’s Tale actor has been cast as the former midfielder, both 52, in a new play titled Dear England, due to run at the Olivier Theater this summer.
Dear England, directed by Rupert Goold, is about the pressures of penalties and is inspired by Gareth’s journey from his Infamous missed penalty kick for England in 1996.
The play will shed light on the pressure of penalties and Gareth’s “cultural reform” of the England men’s team in his six years as manager.
A synopsis of the play reads: ‘It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world soccer has had a painful pattern of losses ever since. Why can’t England men win at their own game?
New role: Joseph Fiennes (left) will star as England men’s soccer manager Gareth Southgate (right) in a new play at the National Theatre, it has been revealed
Penalties: The play, titled Dear England, deals with the pressures of penalty kicks and is inspired by Gareth’s journey since his infamous missed penalty for England in 1996 (pictured)
“With the worst penalty shootout record in the world, Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face years of pain to lead the team and the country back to the promised land.”
gareth He made 57 appearances for England as a player, but is arguably best remembered for missing a crucial penalty against Germany in the Euro 96 semi-final at Wembley.
Gareth then found great success managing the England men’s team from 2016, leading them to a World Cup semi-final in 2018 and a Euro 2020 final.
Speaking of the work, the writer James Graham said it will focus on Gareth’s ‘epic and moving’ ‘cultural reform’ of the England men’s soccer team.
James, who wrote the BBC One drama Sherwood, said: “Telling this story of the national game on the stage of the National Theater is simply the greatest thrill, albeit a daunting responsibility.” The experience of working on Esta Casa at the National Theater 10 years ago changed my life as an emerging writer.
Now, with Dear England, having the opportunity to shine a light on another public institution in the form of the England men’s soccer team is, I know, an exciting opportunity.
“What Gareth Southgate has attempted in his quiet cultural reformation of English football strikes me as epic and deeply moving. And I am so grateful to be surrounded by some of the most exciting creative talents in British theater to unite around this new show.”
National Theater Director Rufus Norris added: “I am delighted to welcome James Graham to the National Theater this summer with his new play.
Manager: In addition to his football career, Gareth managed the England men’s team beginning in 2016, leading them to a World Cup semi-final in 2018 and a Euro 2020 final.
‘Dear England is a captivating examination of the complex psychology of the much-loved ‘beautiful game’.’
Director Rupert’s credits include directing Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III at the Almeida Theatre, before adapting it into a Bafta-nominated screenplay for BBC Two.
Ralph Fiennes’ brother Joseph will take on the lead role as Gareth while the rest of the cast has yet to be announced.
Dear England will run at the Olivier Theater from June 10 to August 11, with tickets going on sale on March 9.
Joseph is best known for playing Commander Fred Waterford in the dystopian television drama The Handmaid’s Tale, an adaptation based on Margaret Atwood’s bestselling 1985 novel.
The show takes place in a patriarchal dystopia called Gilead founded in what used to be the United States.
Women are reduced to a much lower status than men, deprived of such basic rights as being able to read or use money.
‘Handmaids’ are women forced under veils and subjected to a form of slavery in which they are repeatedly raped in order to have children.
The first season, which won critical acclaim, followed the events of Margaret’s book, before the subsequent series moved beyond the novel’s plot and was accused of glorifying violence.
Joseph’s character, Commander Frederick R. Waterford, was killed by Elisabeth Moss’ character June Osbourne in season four.
The fifth series launched on Hulu in September, before returning to UK screens the following month.
However, Alexis Bledel was absent from the latest installment after announcing her departure from her Emmy-winning role on the show.
Star: Joseph is best known for playing Commander Fred Waterford in the dystopian television drama The Handmaid’s Tale, an adaptation based on Margaret Atwood’s bestselling 1985 novel.
Leaving: In season five, Alexis Bledel (pictured) was absent after announcing her departure from her Emmy-winning role as Emily Malek/Ofglen on the show.
“After much thought, I felt like I had to walk away from The Handmaid’s Tale at this point,” said the 40-year-old actress, who has been on the show since the first season.
“I will be forever grateful to Bruce Miller for writing such truthful and resonant scenes for Emily, and to Hulu, MGM, the cast and crew for their support,” she told Variety.
Alexis played Emily Malek, who was a maid under the name Ofglen until she escaped to Canada to work for the Mayday resistance.
She won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress for her work on the first season and has been nominated three more times for the show.