Football drama starring award-winning actor leaves BBC iPlayer soon | Films | Entertainment

With the FIFA World Cup well under way, football fans looking for something to watch off the pitch may want to revisit some football dramas. While new biographical drama series, Dear England, is now available on BBC iPlayer, there are also plenty of others to rewatch during the World Cup season. One football drama, about a 1974 Leeds United FC manager, is available now on BBC iPlayer too – but only available to watch for another 3 days.

The Damned United stars award-winning actor, Michael Sheen, who plays Brian Clough in a film following the ex-Leeds United manager’s 44-day stint. The film is directed by Tom Hooper and based on the largely fictional bestselling 2006 novel, The Damned Utd, by David Peace.

BBC iPlayer’s synopsis reads: “When Don Revie quit Leeds to become the England boss, the outspoken Clough took charge. Determined to impose his own style upon Revie’s tough-tackling team, Clough soon alienated his players and the board.”

While the film initially faced mixed reviews due to historical inaccuracies, The Damned United was praised in particular for Michael Sheen’s performance, receiving numerous award nominations.

These included the British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, the ALFS Award for British Supporting Actor of the Year, the Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama and Best Actor in a Supporting Role and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Award for Best Feature Film Screenplay.

Michael Sheen has previously won awards for Best Actor at BAFTA Cymru and the Evening Standard British Film Awards.

The film received a whopping 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.5 stars out of 10 on IMDb.

One reviewer praised the film, writing, “It’s a sharp, character-driven sports drama that stands out by focusing more on personality, ego, and pressure than just the game itself. What makes it so compelling is how intense and engaging it feels without needing big, flashy moments.”

Another agreed, commenting on the acting in particular.

They said: “A good story line, plus Michael Sheen does a brilliant job of playing Brian Clough. Clough himself had a unique mannerism and I don’t think many other actors could’ve portrayed him so well.”

The Damned United will leave BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 7 July 2026.