Lenny Rush, Greg Davies, Asim Chaudhry  and James Buckley are to star in a Channel 4 festive comedy-drama entitled Dear Father Christmas, it was announced today.

The 75-minute film has been written by Mark Chappell  – who also wrote the forthcoming This Thing On? with Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett – based on John Bishop’s story of finding redemption by taking up stand-up during a relationship breakdown.

The cast also includes Stephen Fry, Rochenda Sandall, Ele Mackenzie,  mathematician Hannah Fry,  space scientist  Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock and  SAS: Who Dares Wins star Jason Fox.

In Dear Father Christmas – which is still a working title –  Am I Being Unreasonable? star Rush plays  16-year-old Chris, who still wholeheartedly believes in Father Christmas.

 His concerned dad – played by Inbetweeners star  Buckley – decides it’s finally time to have ‘the talk’ and tell him the truth. But Chris refuses to give up on Santa and embarks on a madcap mission to prove his dad wrong. 

Joined by his cousin Holly (Mackenzie) Chris then meets scientists and thinkers – including Stephen Fry, Hannah Fry, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and Jason Fox – who seem to know the truth about Santa and may have cracked the science behind his apparent magical feats. 

It has not been revealed what roles the other cast members will play.

 Channel 4 commissioning editor Jonah Weston said: ‘Dear Father Christmas is Channel 4’s big festive treat for 2025. Mark Chappell’s brilliant script weaves together family comedy, heartfelt drama and a playful look at the science of Santa, brought to life by a cast packed with some of Britain’s best-loved stars. It’s a film full of joy, adventure and wonder, and we’re thrilled to be sharing it with viewers this Christmas.’

The film, which will air on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, was made by Big Talk Studios.

Chief executive Kenton Allen said: ‘At its heart, Dear Father Christmas is a joyful celebration of belief, family and the enduring magic of Christmas. Mark Chappell’s brilliant script brings together an extraordinary cast – from comedy icons to national treasures – who all share in telling a story that is both laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely moving. We can’t wait to share it with Channel 4 audiences this Christmas.'

Made by:  Big Talk Studios with  South Shore Productions.
Director: Anthony Wilcox 
Producer:  Spencer Millman
Written by: Mark Chappell
Executive producers:  Kenton Allen, Luke Alkin, Toby Welch, Mark Chappell, Andrew Mackenzie, Anthony Wilcox
Commissioned by: Shaminder Nahal, Channel 4’s head of specialist factual, Jonah Weston, commissioning editor for specialist factual and Andy Brereton, senior commissioning editor, comedy