This stellar adaptation of James Graham’s award-winning play is a stirring take on national identity – even if not all the actors look like the real footballers. Put it this way, Wayne Rooney will be very pleased indeed.

To watch Dear England (Sunday, 9pm, BBC One) – the BBC’s stellar adaptation of James Graham’s Olivier award-winning play – you must first understand the incomparable damage to the national psyche that arose from Gareth Southgate missing a penalty in the Euro 96 semi-final. For those born outside England or too young to remember, imagine the apocalypse mixed with the death of your childhood pet and you’re just about halfway there. I was 11 at the time and almost three decades later still remember going to bed crying as my dad explained over my tear-strewn pillow: “This is what it is to be an England fan.”

You’d better get your therapist on speed dial: the four-part fictionalised account of Southgate’s revolutionary reign as England manager begins with a real-life clip of his penalty miss. Fast forward to 2016 and England is in crisis, with the men’s squad crashing out of the Euros to Iceland while Brexit looms large. Meanwhile, Southgate (Joseph Fiennes, reprising his critically acclaimed West End role) – now middle-aged and managing the under-21 men’s team – is watching football on the TV and looking pensive.

English Translation:

Dear England: James Graham’s Stirring and Joyful Football Drama Will Evoke Tears and Shouts at the TV

This exceptional screen version of James Graham’s acclaimed play offers a powerful exploration of national identity, even if the resemblance of some actors to the actual footballers isn’t perfect. To put it simply, Wayne Rooney would likely be quite satisfied.

To truly appreciate Dear England (Sunday, 9pm, BBC One) – the BBC’s outstanding adaptation of James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning play – one must first grasp the immense psychological blow to the nation caused by Gareth Southgate’s missed penalty in the Euro 96 semi-final. For those not born in England or too young to recall, envision a blend of the apocalypse and the loss of a beloved childhood pet, and you’ll be close to understanding the sentiment. I was 11 years old then, and nearly thirty years later, I still remember going to bed in tears as my father explained through my tear-soaked pillow: “This is what it means to be an England fan.”

It might be wise to have your therapist on standby: the four-part dramatisation of Southgate’s transformative tenure as England manager opens with actual footage of his pivotal penalty miss. Fast-forwarding to 2016, England finds itself in turmoil, with the men’s squad eliminated from the Euros by Iceland, all while Brexit casts a long shadow. Concurrently, Southgate (portrayed by Joseph Fiennes, reprising his lauded West End performance), now middle-aged and managing the under-21 men’s team, is seen watching football on television with a thoughtful expression.