Finding Father Christmas cast: Full list of actors in Channel 4 special

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This holiday season, Channel 4 is debuting a special comedy show that tackles the age-old question of Santa Claus with help from some of the biggest names in comedy and a team of experts.

Lenny Rush, known for his role in ‘Am I Being Unreasonable?’, plays Chris, a sixteen-year-old who still believes in Santa Claus, even though his father thinks he’s too old for such beliefs.

Chris is so convinced he’s right that he won’t let a few doubters stop him. He embarks on a thrilling journey to prove his father wrong, getting help and advice from brilliant thinkers like Stephen Fry, Professor Hannah Fry, and Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Tonight at 7:30pm on Channel 4, join us for the premiere of ‘Finding Father Christmas’ and discover the surprising truth behind the beloved holiday legend! Meet the characters who will unravel the closely-held secrets of Santa Claus.

Read more: What’s worth watching on Christmas Eve?

Finding Father Christmas cast: Full list of actors in Channel 4 special

Let’s meet the main characters from Finding Father Christmas! We’ll introduce each one, tell you who plays them, and share some of the actor’s previous work.

  • Lenny Rush plays Chris
  • James Buckley plays Chris’s dad
  • Ele McKenzie plays Holly
  • Stephen Fry as Himself
  • Rochenda Sandall as Georgina
  • Professor Hannah Fry as Herself
  • Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock as Herself
  • Jason Fox as Himself
  • Greg Davies as Father Christmas

Lenny Rush plays Chris

Chris is a sixteen-year-old who still believes in Santa Claus. When his dad tries to convince him Santa isn’t real, Chris is upset and determined to prove him wrong. He decides to contact several well-known experts to help him with his mission.

Lenny Rush is most famous for his roles in the BBC comedy-drama Am I Being Unreasonable?, which won him a BAFTA TV Award, and the popular sci-fi series Doctor Who (seasons 14 and 15). He’s also hosted Children in Need and has made several other TV appearances as himself.

James Buckley plays Chris’s dad

Chris’s father is a postman and a single parent. He’s been raising Chris by himself since his wife passed away a few years ago, and the family still misses her. Chris has been supportive and wants his dad to find happiness again, encouraging him to start dating.

According to Buckley, Nick is really struggling and doesn’t feel the Christmas spirit at all. Luckily, his son is the complete opposite – he absolutely loves Christmas!

Lenny Rush truly embodies the spirit of Christmas – he’s the most cheerful and talented person I know.

James Buckley first became well-known for playing Jay in the comedy series The Inbetweeners. Since then, he’s appeared in several other shows, including Rock & Chips (a prequel to Only Fools and Horses), White Gold, and the recent series Finders Keepers on Channel 5.

Ele McKenzie plays Holly

Who is Holly? Holly is Chris’s cousin, who is quick to be convinced by conspiracy theories.

Besides her current role, Ele McKenzie has also acted in the comedies Funboys and Everyone Else Burns.

Stephen Fry as Himself

Stephen Fry plays a fictionalized version of himself in this special. He uses his extensive knowledge to explain how he believes Santa Claus manages to deliver presents every year.

Besides his recent appearance on The Celebrity Traitors – where the other contestants saw him as a major player – Stephen Fry has a long and varied career.

He’s appeared in films like Gosford Park, Alice in Wonderland, and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, as well as the last two Hobbit movies. Fry is also a successful author and was the host of the popular panel show QI for thirteen years.

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Rochenda Sandall as Georgina

Georgina is Chris’s neighbor and also one of his teachers at school.

Rochenda Sandall is currently starring as Fi in the BBC One comedy, Amandaland. She’s also appeared in popular shows like Line of Duty, Small Axe, Doctor Who: Flux, and the Apple TV thriller Hijack, among other projects.

Professor Hannah Fry as Herself

Professor Hannah Fry is a well-known mathematician who also loves listening to podcasts. She plays herself in this context.

Professor Hannah Fry is known for hosting a number of informative TV programs. She recently joined the Goalhanger podcast, ‘The Rest is Science,’ as a co-host.

Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock as Herself

Let me tell you about Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock’s role in this film. She essentially plays herself – a brilliant scientist and educator – and acts as a guide for Chris, lending her expertise throughout the story. It’s a fantastic bit of casting; her genuine knowledge really shines through and adds a lot to the narrative.

Working on the special was a new challenge for me,” Dame Aderin-Pocock explained. “I’m experienced with making documentaries, but dramas are much more complex.

Even though I was essentially playing myself, the role still required some acting. I’ve always enjoyed acting, but doing it professionally felt a little stressful. Plus, because I’m dyslexic, memorizing lines from a script can be challenging.

Everyone was fantastic – really supportive and made me feel comfortable expressing myself in my own way. I’d definitely do it again – a perfect 10 out of 10!

Besides being a scientist, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock has also appeared on several TV shows. She’s been on children’s channels CBBC and CBeebies, and has made guest appearances on popular shows like Would I Lie to You?, Richard Osman’s House of Games, and QI.

Jason Fox as Himself

Who is Jason Fox? Fox also appears as himself, with guidance for Chris on his search for the truth.

Besides SAS: Who Dares Wins, Jason Fox is also known for his work on the Channel 4 competition series of the same name. That’s what he’s most famous for.

Asim Chaudhry as Garden Centre Father Christmas

Garden Centre Father Christmas is someone who dresses up as Santa, and he’s become a bit annoyed with all of Chris’s questions.

“He’s hungover and doesn’t have time for people,” said Chaudhry of his brief role.

Asim Chaudhry first gained recognition for his role as the aspiring businessman Chabuddy G in the BBC sitcom People Just Do Nothing. He’s since appeared in several other popular shows, including The Cleaner, The Sandman, Industry, Black Mirror, and The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin on Apple TV.

Greg Davies as Father Christmas

Who is Father Christmas? The man at the centre of this mystery.

Besides being known for The Inbetweeners, where he played the strict headteacher Mr. Gilbert, Greg Davies is also famous for hosting the Channel 4 comedy game show Taskmaster with Alex Horne. He’s also appeared in popular shows like Cuckoo, Man Down, and The Cleaner.

Finding Father Christmas premieres on Channel 4 at 7:30pm on Christmas Eve.

Don’t miss ‘Finding Father Christmas’! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.

Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about TV dramas and comedies for TopMob, focusing on the newest and most popular shows on television and streaming platforms. Before joining TopMob, he worked at Starburst Magazine and hosted The Winter King Podcast for ITVX. He also has a degree in Journalism from the University of Sheffield.

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2025-12-24 11:41