Now that BBC's Dear England has aired, social media has found itself focused on more than just the story of Gareth Southgate's England reign. Viewers have been busy comparing the cast to the real-life footballers they portray, with several casting choices sparking praise, debate and plenty of memes online.

Based on James Graham's award-winning stage play of the same name, Dear England is a televised adaptation that explores Gareth Southgate's reign as England manager and the cultural shift that transformed the national team during his tenure. The series revisits some of the Three Lions' most memorable moments, from heartbreaking tournament exits to the team's journey towards becoming one of England's most beloved squads.

But as images of the cast began circulating online, social media quickly turned its attention to the casting choices.

For many viewers, the resemblance between some actors and their real-life counterparts was surprisingly accurate. Bukayo Saka's casting in particular received widespread praise, with fans applauding the attention to detail and arguing that the production had managed to capture not only the footballer's appearance but also his youthful energy.

Others highlighted several members of the England squad whose on-screen counterparts appeared almost identical to the players they are portraying, leading to jokes that the casting team deserved a raise.

Not every casting choice escaped scrutiny, however.

Jack Grealish's portrayal quickly became a talking point, with some social media users debating whether the actor fully captured the Manchester City star's instantly recognisable look. Meanwhile, the actor chosen to play Cole Palmer also sparked discussion online, with viewers split between those who felt the resemblance was spot on and those who needed a little more convincing.

The reactions have ranged from genuine praise to light-hearted memes, with some fans posting side-by-side comparisons of the actors and players, while others have jokingly suggested alternative casting choices of their own.

Whether viewers agree with every casting decision or not, the online reactions have undoubtedly generated buzz surrounding the new series.

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