A fresh coat of paint, a change of scenery, and a whole new set of tracks: The Railway Children are back, but this time, they’re trading Yorkshire for the Scottish Highlands. This 21st-century update, courtesy of Jacqueline Wilson and the BBC, reimagines E. Nesbit’s classic tale for a new generation, while hopefully not derailing the charm that made the 1970 film a beloved family favorite.
This time around, the Robinson family’s journey begins not in a quaint English village but in the urban hustle of Glasgow. When their father, Rob (Kevin McKidd), mysteriously vanishes, the family is forced to relocate to the more remote—and let’s face it, probably less internet-accessible—Highlands. This shift in location mirrors the family’s emotional upheaval.
McKidd, known for his long running stint on “Grey’s Anatomy,” sees Rob as a “goofy and fun-loving dad,” and hopes the film offers some heartwarming holiday viewing. He also acknowledges the significance of the Scottish Highlands setting, saying “filming there also helped to create a sense of isolation that was pivotal to the storyline and how the children felt being uprooted from their home in Glasgow.” Toussaint-White describes her character, Sarah, as “a strong, hard-working mother,” adding, “being a parent isn’t easy and for Sarah, not only is she a mother, but she’s also the financial provider and is left to carry the burden of her husband’s mistakes.”
The three young actors playing the children—Ava McCarthy, Ida Brooke, and Tylan Bailey—seem genuinely enthusiastic. Brooke, who plays Becks, was particularly moved by the script, saying, “I remember reading the entirety of it in one sitting on my living room floor. By the end, I literally started crying.” Young Tylan Bailey, who plays Perry, notes, “I enjoyed all the scenes that included trains, especially the one when I get to pull the communication cord.”
While some purists may grumble about tinkering with a cherished story, transplanting “The Railway Children” to modern-day Scotland is an intriguing gamble. It acknowledges the original’s enduring appeal while attempting to resonate with a contemporary audience. Whether this new adaptation captures the magic of the original or ends up a sentimental journey to nowhere, well, we’ll just have to wait and see.
“The Primrose Railway Children” premieres Sunday, December 1, 2024, on CBBC and BBC iPlayer, with a BBC One airing during the Christmas period.
