Grey’s Anatomy star Kevin McKidd, who played Dr. Owen Hunt in the hit drama, has been cast in a new adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson‘s 2021 book The Primrose Railway Children.
Wilson’s book is based on Edith Nesbit’s classic, The Railway Children (1905), which was later turned into a film of the same title. The 1970 film later introduced another film in 2022 titled The Railway Children Return, starring Jenny Agutter, Tom Courtenay and Sheridan Smith.

WHAT IS THE PRIMROSE RAILWAY CHILDREN ABOUT?
Penned by British screenwriter and playwright Tom Bidwell, The Primrose Railway Children is based on E Nesbit’s classic and follows Phoebe, her older sister Becks, older brother Perry and their mum. The family are happily living in Glasgow when they are forced to suddenly uproot their lives and move to the remote highlands of Scotland.
According to BBC, the story is “about growing up, being displaced, and finding your way in a community that seems alien, The Primrose Railway Children is set to become essential family viewing.”

WHO WILL STAR IN THE PRIMROSE RAILWAY CHILDREN?
McKidd, best known for his role in Grey’s Anatomy but also for Anna Karenina, Journeyman and Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, will portray Rob Robinson in the film. Rob’s wife Sarah will be played by Nina Toussaint-White, best known for her role in BodyGuard – their three children will be played by Ava McCarthy, Ida Brooke and Tylan Bailey.
“Reading Tom’s brilliant script was a real joy, it captures the spirit and emotion of the original,” McKidd told Deadline.
“So it was an easy decision to come back and film this in Scotland. I’m always so proud and happy to come home and work with the brilliant crews and talents that Scotland overflows with.”

WHERE IS THE PRIMROSE RAILWAY CHILDREN FILMED?
Filming is set to commence in July 2024 in and around Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands.
WHERE TO WATCH THE PRIMROSE RAILWAY CHILDREN
The Primrose Railway Children is produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions, featuring Tali Walters as Creative Lead, Alison Davis as Executive Producer, and John McKay as Producer. The upcoming film will be directed by Julian Kemp based on the adapted screenplay by Tom Bidwell. International distribution is managed by BBC Studios.
Though it has not been confirmed where you will be able to watch The Primrose Railway Children in Australia following its release, it is anticipated the film will be available on BritBox, a streaming platform dedicated to delivering British TV outside the UK, including Australia. This speculation revolved around the fact that BritBox is a partnership between BBC Studios and ITV, however, this has not been confirmed.
You can sign up to BritBox from $9.99/mth, with a 7-day free trial. SUBSCRIBE HERE.

WHERE TO WATCH AND READ THE PREVIOUS VERSIONS
The 1905 children’s book The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit can be purchased via Amazon. The modern rendition of the classic novel The Primrose Children by Jacqueline Wilson can also be purchased via Amazon.
Unfortunately, the 1970 original film is not available on streaming services at this stage, however, if you’ve managed to hold on to your DVD player after all these years, the DVD version is miraculously available via Amazon.
However, the 2022 film The Railway Children Return is available on Prime Video.
Stream The Railway Children Return on Prime Video from $6.58/mth, with a 30-day free trial. SUBSCRIBE HERE.