Coronation Street and Emmerdale Stars Join Cast of New Yorkshire Christmas Film
Soap favourites join Toyah Willcox and Doctor Who’s Peter Purves in Santa Express The Movie, a new festive film shot in York and North Yorkshire.
A new British Christmas film has brought together familiar faces from Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Doctor Who, with Yorkshire’s historic steam railways providing the backdrop for a festive family adventure.
Santa Express The Movie has officially completed filming, with former soap actors Daniel Coll, Victoria Ekanoye and Lisa George joining singer Toyah Willcox and television veteran Peter Purves in a production filmed around York and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Rather than following the familiar Christmas film formula of big-city romances and American winter resorts, the production places a traditional British steam railway at the centre of its story, following a man determined to fulfil his dream of becoming Father Christmas.
Familiar Faces From Britain’s Biggest Soaps
Daniel Coll leads the film as Bob Browning, whose ambition to play Santa aboard his local railway forms the heart of the story.
Coll previously appeared in Emmerdale as DI Frank Blackmore and has also worked on Coronation Street, EastEnders and The Crown, alongside an extensive career in film and theatre.
Joining him are two former Coronation Street favourites, Victoria Ekanoye, who played Angie Appleton, and Lisa George, best known for portraying Beth Tinker.
Singer and actress Toyah Willcox is also among the cast, while former Blue Peter presenter Peter Purves, remembered by Doctor Who audiences as companion Steven Taylor, takes on the role of Father Christmas.
The ensemble also features Fiona Sinnott, Olwen May, Andy Dunn, Joe Savino and Richard Ashton, bringing together performers from across British television, theatre and film.
A Real Steam Railway Becomes a Christmas Film Set
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway provides one of the film’s principal locations, with its heritage steam trains and traditional stations offering a distinctive setting for the festive adventure.
Filming also took place in York, giving the production a strong regional identity and making use of Yorkshire’s historic surroundings rather than relying entirely on constructed sets.
The story follows Bob’s ambition to become Santa on his local railway, with themes of family, second chances and Christmas traditions running through the film.
When Can Audiences Watch Santa Express The Movie?
The film was written by David C. Thorp and produced through Picture Point Films, with Daniel Coll also directing and producing alongside his starring role.
Filming was confirmed as complete on 31 October 2026, with the project now moving into post-production, although a release date and details of any cinema, television or streaming plans have yet to be announced.
Further updates are available from the official Santa Express The Movie website.
Image credit: Picture Point Films / Argon PR & Talent.
