The English Game

Why Watch
"Witness the dramatic birth of modern football through Victorian class warfare, industrial grit, and passionate sporting ambition."
Tone: Period Drama, Historical, Inspiring
Where to Watch
JustWatch Streaming details by: JustWatch
AI Critic Analysis
Series Deep Dive:

Created by Julian Fellowes, The English Game explores the fierce origins of modern football. Set against the harsh backdrop of Victorian Britain, the drama captures a pivotal cultural shift as working-class factory hands challenge aristocratic dominance on the pitch. Led by Edward Holcroft and Kevin Guthrie, this compact historical miniseries balances sports history with poignant social upheaval, delivering an engrossing, completed narrative that redefined how the world views the beautiful game.

Analysis Refined:March 2026
Scheduled next refinement: in 434 days
Season: 1
Watched? # Air Date Episode Name
E1 Mar 20, 2020 Episode 1
E2 Mar 20, 2020 Episode 2
E3 Mar 20, 2020 Episode 3
E4 Mar 20, 2020 Episode 4
E5 Mar 20, 2020 Episode 5
E6 Mar 20, 2020 Episode 6
Mark Season 1:
Watched / Unwatched
Mark Series:
Watched / Unwatched
Production Note - Limited Series

Production Type: Limited Series

The English Game is a standalone Limited Series designed as a completed, finite historical narrative. Developed by Julian Fellowes, the production was envisioned as a six-part miniseries that explores the class-driven origins of modern football in the late 19th century. The narrative centers on the intersection of the upper-class Old Etonians and the working-class Darwen FC, specifically focusing on the historical figures of Arthur Kinnaird and Fergus Suter as they navigate the transition from amateurism to professionalism.

The series concludes with the resolution of the 1883 FA Cup Final, effectively closing the chapter on the specific historical conflict that defined the sport's early evolution. Because the scripts were written to reach this definitive milestone in the history of the Football Association, the production serves as a self-contained chronicle. There have been no discussions regarding a second season, as the creative team and Netflix intended for the story to be a singular, comprehensive look at the birth of the modern game.

Production Trivia: The English Game is a 6-episode limited series produced by 42 and written by Julian Fellowes. Filming took place across the United Kingdom, utilizing historical sites such as Saltaire, Yorkshire, and the Altrincham town center to stand in for 1880s Darwen and London.
Oracle Insights Refined:March 2026
Scheduled next refinement: in 313 days

If you liked The English Game:

Technical Details
Network: Netflix
Seasons: 1
Years: 2020 - 2020
Genre: Drama, History, Mini-Series, Sport
TVDB
JustWatch
IMDB
Support us on Facebook
Frequently Asked Questions

No, the show was produced as a six-part limited miniseries intended to tell a self-contained story. While there is always a slim possibility it could return as an anthology, there are currently no plans for a second season.

Yes, the series is based on the true events surrounding the origins of modern football and the lives of real historical figures like Fergus Suter and Arthur Kinnaird. It dramatizes the 19th-century transition of the sport from an amateur gentleman's game to a professional sport.

No, the show is not based on a book but is an original production created by Julian Fellowes, Tony Charles, and Oliver Cotton. The writers used extensive historical research to craft the narrative rather than adapting a specific novel.

The production was primarily filmed in Northern England, specifically across various locations in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Notable filming sites include the UNESCO World Heritage Victorian village of Saltaire and historic buildings in Bradford and Altrincham.

The English Game consists of a total of six episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 45 to 55 minutes. These six episodes cover the entire narrative arc, concluding the historical drama without leaving cliffhangers for a future season.

The series focuses on Fergus Suter, recognized as the first professional footballer, and Arthur Kinnaird, a prominent aristocrat and long-time president of the Football Association. Their contrasting lives represent the class divide and the eventual unification of the sport.

The series is a Netflix Original and is available exclusively on their streaming platform. Because it is a limited series, all six episodes are available to watch immediately as a complete set.
FAQ Refined:March 2026
Scheduled next refinement: in 120 days