Sir Ian McKellen and James Graham rally nation ahead of first knockout game
As England prepares for kick off in their first knockout game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sir Ian McKellen and award-winning playwright James Graham have teamed up to make a powerful short film, celebrating what people across England have in common.
The ‘love letter to England’ draws on early contributions from English respondents to the National Conversation, an initiative launched last month which is asking people across the UK to share their vision of what brings us together.
At a time when national attention is focused on England’s World Cup campaign, the film asks people to consider not only what it means to support the national team, but what it means to belong to a nation. Members of the public are invited to take part in the National Conversation by leaving a 60-second voice note and sharing their views on the type of country they want to live in.
James Graham, Dear England playwright, said: “Gareth Southgate started his preparation for the World Cup by asking the team, what is England? We can’t expect our footballers to play with pride unless we are all clear about what it means to them, to us, about what unites and defines us. This short film is my attempt to contribute to that vision of what connects us – but it’s not just mine, it’s inspired by the national conversation.”
To take part in the National Conversation members of the public are invited to complete the ten-minute Oxford University survey – filling in a few details about their neighbourhood and then leaving a 60-second voice note about their vision for the future. The survey closes on 31 August 2026.
Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition which campaigns for kinder, closer communities said: “Our country needs this. To win against DR Congo of course. But it also needs to talk about who we are. We hope this film starts the conversation – but it’s the public’s vision that really matters. The National Conversation is the first serious attempt to give people a voice and playback to the country what unites us, what divides us and what would bring us closer together. Don’t let others speak for you.”
The national campaign was developed in partnership with M+C Saatchi Group UK.
Guy Bradbury, Creative Partner at M&C Saatchi Group UK said: “At a time when our country is searching for hope, clarity and something to unite us, we wanted to create a moment that reminds us what we still share. There could be no better voices to do this than England’s greatest playwright and one of our greatest actors. We hope the campaign rallies the nation ahead of tonight’s game—and inspires people to have their say on the future they want for our country.”
The full script Love Letter to England is:
Who are ya? Who are ya? Who are ya?
Goes the chant from the stands.
Now, isn’t that the question?There are those who say that we don’t know who we are. And yet they say this in our language, the common tongue of the world, that we give ourselves other names or think another may smell more sweet.
That we are yet to fully blossom and bloom, though our roots are ancient and go deep.
They say we lack a story, yet ours are some of the oldest there are.
That where they have passion, we are polite.Yet we are the lions that roar.
That we are the ones who queue and queue, but what are we waiting for?
That ours is a land of stiff upper lips.
Don’t cause a scene and keep calm.Oh, no it isn’t.
They say our spirit is broken, yet how we laugh and how we love.
We know who we are at our best when we are together. Don’t let them tell you otherwise.
We know who we are.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Final Films:
Prores
H264
Spokespeople available upon request:
- James Graham
- Brendan Cox, co-founder Together
- Marcus Peffers, Executive Chair at M+C Saatchi Group UK
The Independent Commission on Community & Cohesion is a once-in-a-generation initiative responding to one of Britain’s greatest challenges: the converging crises of social disconnection and division. The Commission brings together leading voices from across the UK to examine what’s driving these divides – and what needs to change to help build stronger, more connected communities. Its mission is to understand the country’s state of connection and cohesion, and then set out a credible shared vision for how we can live well together – alongside the practical steps needed to make it a reality. The Commission is co-chaired by former Conservative cabinet minister Sir Sajid Javid, and former Labour Policy Coordinator Jon Cruddas, and brings together more than 20 commissioners spanning politics, academia, business, faith and civil society. The insights gathered through the National Conversation will inform a report by the Commission, due to be published in late 2026. That report will combine public insight with academic research and a year-long programme of expert testimony and commissioner deliberation. More information on the commission and full commissioner list can be found here: www.livingwelltogether.org.uk
The National Conversation runs from 18 May 2026 throughout the summer, closing at the end of August. To take part, or for organisations interested in hosting a Group Conversation, visit: https://www.thenationalconversation.org.uk/
More information on the survey methodology can be found here: https://www.national-conversation.ox.ac.uk/data/pis.html
About M+C Saatchi Group UK
M+C Saatchi Group UK, headquartered in London, is the heart of M+C Saatchi Group’s global operations. As the central hub of the world’s largest independent creative network, we are part of a truly global collective spanning 23 countries, and 30 offices across the UK, US, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Together, we are a global creative solutions company built to navigate complexity and deliver impact everywhere.
ENDS