David Farnor | On 26, Dec 2025

When is a Christmas movie not a Christmas movie? When it verges on a science lesson. That’s the secret behind Finding Father Christmas – while it might not sound like the family-friendly present you’re looking to watch after unwrapping your presents, it gives a distinct and heartfelt twist to the 75-minute comedy that’s a far cry from the usual Hallmark recipe.

British TV has always presented Christmas specials that sit somewhere between sitcom spin-off and mini-movie, with celebrities and comedians in increasingly contrived scenarios involving slapstick, pathos and a hint of festive magic. Finding Father Christmas charts its own course, keeping things low-key, sweet and surprisingly informative.

Soon-to-be national treasure Lenny Rush is phenomenal as Chris, a 16-year-old who still writes a letter to Santa Claus every year before Christmas. His dad, Nicholas (James Buckley), is a jaded postman who sees what the postal service does with those letters and decides to tell Chris “the truth”. It’s rare to see such conversations on screen and Finding Father Christmas is brave in not shying away from its blunt, deflating effect.

But no need to worry: needless to say, Chris doesn’t believe his dad’s argument that Santa can’t possibly be real, and instead sets off on a mission to prove the facts. His first stop? Stephen Fry, because Chris knows his dad is a super-fan and will believe anything the QI presenter says. Accompanied by his cousin, Holly (a charming Ele McKenzie), he then jumps to the next star name and the next star name in a string of cameos. These aren’t your typical celeb appearances, however: they’re mainly boffins and scientists, from Professor Hannah Fry and Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock to – in a more bizarre twist – Jason Fox from SAS: Who Dares Wins. What ensues is part adventure, part lecture, as the very game adults join in crunching the numbers and dropping explainers about what it would take for Father Christmas to get round the world every night. Director Anthony Wilcox unwraps it with a knowing wink and a conspiratorial smile.

All this is balanced with a gently warm romance with Chris’ science teacher, Miss Bailey (Rochenda Sandall), who asked the widowed Nicholas out months ago. They have a charming chemistry, but the real sparks fly between father and son, as they learn from each other and start to move on in their lives. James Buckley is understated and vulnerable as the exasperated, lonely dad, and Rush is funny and boisterous while being smart and sensitive to his dad’s emotional state – and seamlessly fitting in with a group of security guards during one inspired set piece. Seeing Chris and Nicholas clash in Stephen Fry’s driveway is a delight – the only thing you wish is that there was more time in Mark Chappell’s playful script for the two of them to have more heart-to-heart chats. Still, at under 90 minutes, and with Greg Davies having a ball in a short-lived stint in a red suit, there’s something enjoyably unconventional about this endearing festive outing.

 
Finding Father Christmas is available to stream on Channel 4.
 

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