Dervla Kirwan in rehearsal images for West End transfer of Dear England

Dervla Kirwan takes centre stage in rehearsal images for the West End transfer of the National Theatre hit Dear England.

The Ballykissangel star will join Joseph Fiennes in the cast of the play about the England men’s football team under Gareth Southgate when it moves to the Prince Edward Theatre.

Dublin-born Kirwan, 51, who is best known for roles including the film Ondine and the thriller series Smother, takes on the role of Pippa Grange, sports psychologist and Head of People and Team Development at The Football Association from 2017 until 2019.

The play will see The Handmaid’s Tale star Fiennes reprise his role of England manager Southgate after a successful run at the National Theatre in London.

The cast also includes Denzel Baidoo as Bukayo Saka, Josh Barrow as Jordan Pickford,  Gunnar Cauthery as Gary Lineker, Will Close as Harry Kane, Crystal Condie as Alex Scott, Will Fletcher as Jordan Henderson,  Darragh Hand as Marcus Rashford, John Hodgkinson as Greg Clarke,  Lloyd Hutchinson as Sam Allardyce, Albert Magashi as Jadon Sancho, Kel Matsena as Raheem Sterling, Lewis Shepherd as Dele Alli, Griffin Stevens as Harry Maguire, Paul Thornley as Mike Webster, Tony Turner as Greg Dyke, and Ryan Whittle as Eric Dier.

Nick Barclay, Tashinga Bepete, Kate Kelly Flood, Will Harrison-Wallace, Miranda Heath, Tom Mahy and Tristan Waterson complete the company.

The play is directed by Rupert Goold and written by James Graham, best known for his work on plays Ink and Quiz and TV drama Sherwood.

Kirwan, who found fame as Assumpta Fitzgerald in Ballykissangel, is an experienced stage star and has previously appeared at the National Theatre in plays Aristocrats and Exiles.
She has also appeared in An Absolute Turkey at Shakespeare’s Globe; Macbeth, King Lear and Uncle Vanya at Chichester Festival Theatre; Fathers And Sons at The Gate Theatre, Dublin; A Little Like Drowning for Druid Company; and The Glass Menagerie at Peacock Theatre, Dublin.

She was nominated for a leading actress IFTA for her screen work in Smother.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be taking on the role of Dr Pippa Grange for the West End transfer of Dear England.

“I’ve not performed in the West End for a while.  It’s such a special experience and I’m delighted to return to the heart of Soho in a theatre large enough to bring James Graham’s acclaimed play to a whole new audience.

“Rehearsals are underway and the company already feels like a winning team!”

Dear England opens at the Prince Edward Theatre on October 9 and runs until January 13 2024.