Channel 4 has unveiled its headline Christmas offering for 2025 with the premiere of Dear Father Christmas, a heartwarming 75-minute festive comedy-drama that blends humor, adventure, and genuine emotion. The film follows 16-year-old Chris, a steadfast believer in Father Christmas, who embarks on a madcap mission to prove his dad wrong after learning the truth about Santa.
The Central Story
BAFTA TV Award winner Lenny Rush (known for his acclaimed role in Am I Being Unreasonable? and A Woman of Substance) leads the ensemble cast as Chris, a teenager determined to hold onto the magic of Christmas. When his concerned father, played by BAFTA-nominated James Buckley of The Inbetweeners fame, decides it’s finally time to have “the talk,” Chris refuses to accept the truth and launches an audacious quest to disprove his dad’s claims.
Accompanied by his cousin Holly, brought to life by Ele McKenzie, Chris ventures into the heart of a Christmas conspiracy, discovering an extraordinary cabal of scientists and thinkers who appear to understand the mysteries behind Santa’s legendary accomplishments.
An Extraordinary Cast of Experts and Entertainers
The film features an impressive roster of well-known personalities and genuine experts. Among them are comedy legends and national treasures who contribute their talents to the narrative. Stephen Fry, the renowned television personality and author, joins the cast alongside his daughter Hannah Fry, a celebrated mathematician known for her ability to make complex science accessible to general audiences.
Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, the accomplished space scientist and television presenter, brings her expertise to the film, while Jason Fox, known for his role on SAS: Who Dares Wins, adds another dimension to the ensemble.
Supporting the main narrative are BAFTA-nominated Greg Davies (The Cleaner, Man Down), Asim Chaudhry (BAFTA-winning People Just Do Nothing), and Rochenda Sandall (Line of Duty, The Rig, Amandaland).
Themes of Family, Belief, and Memory
Written by BAFTA-nominated Mark Chappell (known for See How They Run and A Young Doctor’s Notebook), the film weaves together comedy and heartfelt drama. Beyond the quest to prove Santa’s existence, the narrative honors the memory of Chris’s late mother and the cherished Christmas traditions she held dear, adding emotional depth to the comedic adventure.
Commissioning editor Jonah Weston expressed his enthusiasm: “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”.
Production Details
The special is produced by Big Talk Studios (known for Ludwig and Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping) and co-produced by South Shore Productions (Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams). Director Anthony Wilcox brings the script to life, with executive producers Kenton Allen, Luke Alkin, and Toby Welch overseeing the project.
How to Watch
Dear Father Christmas is set to premiere on Channel 4 on Tuesday, December 24, 2025, and will air again on Christmas Day (December 25, 2025). The festive special will also be available to stream on Channel 4 on Demand for UK viewers who wish to catch up on the feature-length presentation.
For viewers in the United States and other international markets, availability through streaming services or broadcast platforms has not been officially confirmed at this time. UK viewers can access the program through Channel 4’s digital platform or watch it when it airs on the channel.
For the latest updates and broadcast information, visit the official Channel 4 website: Channel 4 – Dear Father Christmas
