Kevin McKidd will star in The Primrose Railway Children for CBBC.
The series, which is being filmed in Scotland, is based on Jacqueline Wilson’s version of the E Nesbit classic, The Railway Children.
The 1×90 minute CBBC special has been adapted by Tom Bidwell (The Velveteen Rabbit, The Irregulars).
McKidd (Grey’s Anatomy, Six Four) will play the father Rob Robinson alongside Nina Toussaint-White (Bodyguard, Witness Number 3) who will play his wife Sarah Robinson.
The 3 children will be played by a trio of emerging British talent including Ava McCarthy as Phoebe, Ida Brooke as Becks and Tylan Bailey as Perry.
“Reading Tom’s brilliant script was a real joy, it captures the spirit and emotion of the original ‘The Railway Children,’ a film that I loved as a child, so it was an easy decision to come back and film this in Scotland,” said McKidd.
“I’m always so proud and happy to come home and work with the brilliant crews and talents that Scotland overflows with. I can’t wait to step into the character of ‘Rob’ and retell this reimagined British classic story alongside such an exciting cast. It will be a cinematic treat for the family.”
The film is being made by BBC Studios Kids and Family Productions and will be shot in and around Glasgow, the Scottish Highlands and heritage railways.
The plot follows Phoebe, her older sister Becks, older brother Perry and their mum who are living a comfortable life in Glasgow when suddenly they are uprooted from their lives and moved to the remote highlands of Scotland.
“BBC Studios Kids and Family productions has enjoyed a close and creative relationship with Jacqueline Wilson for many years and are thrilled to work with Tom Bidwell to bring another of her stories to the screen with such an exciting cast including Kevin and Nina, alongside tremendously exciting new youth talent,” added Tali Walters, Creative Director at BBC Studios Kids and Family productions.
“We are proud to be making this dramatic and ambitious production in Scotland with all it offers in terms of locations and talent, and very much looking forward to sharing it with families across the UK and around the world.”
John McKay is producer and it will be directed by Julian Kemp.
