BYUtv – the home of free family entertainment, today announced the premiere of “The Primrose Railway Children,” featuring Kevin McKidd (“Grey’s Anatomy”). The feature-length family drama is based on bestselling author Dame Jacqueline Wilson’s novel of the same name, which is a modern reimagining of Edith Nesbit’s 1905 classic “The Railway Children” and explores themes of resilience, forgiveness, and self-discovery.
Filmed across picturesque locations in Scotland, it has been adapted for television by Emmy® and BAFTA award-winning screenwriter Tom Bidwell. In the U.S., it will be available to stream for free on the BYUtv app and at BYUtv.org on December 8, airing on BYUtv that evening @ 6:15 PM PT/9:15 PM ET. Viewers in the UK can watch on BBC iPlayer, the CBBC children’s channel, and BBC One.
In “The Primrose Railway Children,” young Phoebe and her siblings are abruptly uprooted from city life when their mother moves them to a remote Scottish village after their father (played by McKidd) goes missing. Adjusting to a world without modern conveniences and facing the mysterious absence of their father, Phoebe is determined to uncover the truth behind his disappearance. As the children navigate secrets and build new connections within their rural community, they come to appreciate the unity and strength family brings.
“‘The Primrose Railway Children‘ is a gorgeous, heartwarming story that captured my attention and heart from the start,” said McKidd. “I love the relationships that my character has with his children, especially Phoebe. They have a special bond that reinforces the idea that love and friendship can triumph even in difficult times. Plus, it’s also nice to actually have something I can sit down with my family at Christmas and let them see what Dad does for a living!”
Set against the scenic Scottish landscape, complete with iconic steam railway sequences, this new adaptation of “The Railway Children” retains the spirit of the original story while bringing a fresh, contemporary perspective to the emotional journey of a family reconnecting amid unexpected challenges.
“‘The Primrose Railway Children’ is a moving take on a beloved classic that explores family dynamics and emotions in a modern setting,” said Andra Johnson Duke, head of content at BYUtv. “Thanks to the talents of Kevin McKidd and the rest of the cast, viewers of all ages will be drawn into a visually rich adventure filled with hope, love, and warmth. Purposeful, timeless storytelling like this underscores the beauty of human connection and resonates across generations.”
In addition to McKidd as Rob, the cast includes Ava McCarthy (“Ballerina”) as Phoebe, Ida Brooke (“Silo”) as Becks, Tylan Bailey (“Halo”) as Perry, Nina Toussaint-White (“Showtrial”) as Sarah, Blythe Duff (“Taggart”) as Mo and Ian Pirie (“Da Vinci’s Demons”) as Thomas.
“The Primrose Railway Children” is made by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions for the BBC in association with BYUtv with Tali Walters as creative lead, Alison Davis and Grainne McNamara as executive producers and John McKay as producer. For BYUtv, executive producers are Jeff Simpson and Andra Johnson Duke with Wendy Thomas and Kelly Pratt as producers. International distribution is being handled by BBC Studios.
BYUtv is available across the country via multiple digital media platforms, cable and satellite. For a complete listing of BYUtv’s programming and to view full episodes, download the app or visit www.byutv.org. BYUtv streams for free with no subscriptions, in-app purchases or ads. The network is always streaming live, and past and current seasons are all available to binge.
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The Primrose Railway Children |
Release: 2024-12-01Genre: DramaDuration: 81 minsBudget: $ 0 | |
OverviewFollow Phoebe, her older sister Becks, younger 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. |