The 2009 British Christmas comedy Nativity! follows the chaotic preparations for a school nativity play at St Bernadette’s. The film centres on two teachers – Paul Maddens and the exuberant Mr Poppy – and a large ensemble of children from the fictional school. Its popularity has endured, fuelled by nostalgic interest in the child performers and the film’s annual seasonal broadcasts.
Martin Freeman plays Paul Maddens, a depressed teacher who is forced to work with the over-enthusiastic teaching assistant Mr Poppy, portrayed by Marc Wootton. The main adult cast also includes Jason Watkins as rival headteacher Gordon Shakespeare, Ashley Jensen as Jennifer Lore, and Pam Ferris as the formidable Mrs Bevan. These core roles are listed on both Wikipedia and IMDb.
The child cast includes dozens of young actors, many of whom have since been the subject of “then and now” articles. The table below consolidates the key children and their roles from the 2009 film, based on multiple verified sources.
Original Film Cast (2009)
Martin Freeman, Marc Wootton, Jason Watkins, Ashley Jensen, Pam Ferris + child ensemble
Nativity 2 Cast (2012)
Marc Wootton, David Tennant, Jason Watkins, Pam Ferris + new child actors
Child Actors Now (2025)
Updated whereabouts of Bob, Alfie, TJ, Ollie and other kid stars
The Musical Cast
Daniel Boys, Sarah Earnshaw, Simon Lipkin (2017) + later tour casts
Key insights from the cast
- Martin Freeman did not return for the sequel; David Tennant took the lead.
- Many child actors from the original film have grown up and pursued different careers; some are still acting.
- Nativity! The Musical has been touring regularly, with rotating casts since 2017.
- The films remain a staple of British Christmas TV, often broadcast on BBC around the holidays.
- Ben Wilby (Bob) was 23 in a later article and remains a favourite among fans.
- Cadi Mullane (Crystal) was 22 and studying musical theatre in 2022.
- Jake Pratt (Alfie) appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2007 before the film.
| Role | Actor | Film/Musical | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Maddens | Martin Freeman | Nativity! (2009) | Lead character |
| Mr. Poppy | Marc Wootton | Nativity! (2009) and sequel | Returned for Nativity 2 |
| Jennifer Lore | Ashley Jensen | Nativity! (2009) | Only in first film |
| Donald Peterson | David Tennant | Nativity 2 (2012) | Lead in sequel |
| Mrs. Bevan | Pam Ferris | Both films | Supporting role |
| Gordon Shakespeare | Jason Watkins | Both films | Rival headteacher |
| Bob | Ben Wilby | Nativity! (2009) | Student character |
| Oli | Brandon McDonald | Nativity! (2009) | Student character |
| Crystal | Cadi Mullane | Nativity! (2009) | Student character |
| Alfie | Jake Pratt | Nativity! (2009) | Student character |
| Paul Maddens (stage) | Daniel Boys | Stage musical (2017) | Original stage lead |
| Mr. Poppy (stage) | Simon Lipkin | Stage musical (2017) | Original stage cast |
What is the cast of Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger?
The 2012 sequel, Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger, introduces a new lead while retaining some familiar faces. Marc Wootton reprises his role as Mr Poppy, and David Tennant joins as the new character Donald Peterson, a teacher who enters a competition. Jason Watkins and Pam Ferris also return as Gordon Shakespeare and Mrs Bevan respectively. Martin Freeman does not appear in the sequel.
New lead actors in Nativity 2
David Tennant’s Donald Peterson is the central adult figure alongside Mr Poppy. The film also features a fresh ensemble of child actors; some minor roles from the original may have returned, but the sequel largely introduces a new class of pupils. Full credits are available on IMDb.
Child cast of Nativity 2
The sequel’s school children are less well documented in “then and now” coverage than their predecessors. According to the sources, the child actors in the sequel are not individually named in the retrospective articles that focus on the 2009 film. Information on specific roles remains limited.
Where are the child actors from Nativity! now?
Several “then and now” articles have tracked the lives of the young actors from the 2009 film. The most frequently mentioned names include Ben Wilby (Bob), Cadi Mullane (Crystal), Jake Pratt (Alfie), Krista Hyatt (Becky), Michael McAuley (William), Sydney Isitt-Ager (Sadie), and Maeve Dolan (Sam). A 2025 article from Cosmopolitan provides recent updates on several of them.
What happened to the actor who played Bob in Nativity!?
Ben Wilby, who played Bob, remains a fan favourite. Later coverage notes that he was 23 and still remembered warmly by viewers. His exact current profession is not publicly updated in the available sources.
What happened to the child who played Ollie?
Ollie is a character in the film series. The actor’s current status is not clearly documented in the “then and now” articles. IMDb lists the role but does not provide current whereabouts.
Other child actors: TJ (Angel Gabriel) and Alfie
Bernard Mensah played Angel Gabriel in the original film. Jake Pratt (Alfie) had already gained attention as a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent in 2007, as reported by Radio Times. Cadi Mullane (Crystal) was 22 and studying musical theatre in 2022, according to The Tab.
Detailed information about some child actors — for example, the real names for Bob and Ollie — may be limited or unverified. IMDb and Wikipedia are the primary sources for the original cast list, but many former child actors have left the public eye and their current locations are not reliably updated.
Who stars in Nativity! The Musical (including the 2022 production)?
The stage adaptation of Nativity! premiered in 2017 and has since toured with varying casts. The original 2017 stage cast included Daniel Boys as Paul Maddens, Sarah Earnshaw as Jennifer Lore, and Simon Lipkin as Mr Poppy, as announced by Musical Theatre Review.
Original 2017 stage cast
In addition to the leads, the production featured a large ensemble of local children for the school roles. The cast also included Andy Barke and other performers listed in the original announcement.
2022 tour and subsequent productions
Birmingham Repertory Theatre announced a later production with Billy Roberts as Mr Maddens, Ben Lancaster as Mr Poppy, Daisy Steere as Jennifer, and Matthew Rowland as Mr Shakespeare. The show continues to cast local children, making each production unique. For current line-ups, check official theatre websites.
Where can you watch the Nativity! films?
As of the latest available information, Nativity! is streaming on Netflix in the UK, according to Radio Times. Netflix can also be accessed via Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. The films are also often available on BBC iPlayer around the Christmas period and on Amazon Prime Video. DVD and Blu-ray copies are widely sold by UK retailers.
Streaming and TV broadcast in the UK
Availability can change seasonally. The BBC typically broadcasts the films during the holiday season, and they are sometimes available on demand via iPlayer. Amazon Prime Video also holds the rights intermittently.
DVD and Blu-ray availability
Both Nativity! and Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger are available on DVD and Blu-ray from major UK retailers.
Who played Bob, Ollie and other notable characters in the series?
Bob – character and actor
Bob is a child character in the original 2009 film, played by Ben Wilby. His role is one of the students in Mr Maddens’ class.
Ollie – character and actor
Ollie appears in the film series. The actor’s name is listed on IMDb and Wikipedia as Brandon McDonald for the 2009 film. Sources do not provide detailed updates on his current activities.
Timeline of the Nativity! franchise
- – Release of Nativity! film starring Martin Freeman.
- – Release of Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger starring David Tennant.
- – Premiere of Nativity! The Musical stage adaptation.
- – New tour of Nativity! The Musical with updated cast.
What is known and what remains unclear about the cast?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| The main adult cast of the 2009 film (Martin Freeman, Marc Wootton, Jason Watkins, Ashley Jensen, Pam Ferris). | The real names and current whereabouts of some child actors, especially those who left acting early. |
| Ben Wilby (Bob) and Cadi Mullane (Crystal) have been featured in recent updates. | The exact location of some former child actors (e.g., those who left acting) may not be publicly updated. |
| The 2017 stage musical cast (Daniel Boys, Sarah Earnshaw, Simon Lipkin). | Casting for the musical varies by production year; check official theatre websites for current line-ups. |
Why does the Nativity! cast still attract attention?
The Nativity! film series has become a beloved British Christmas tradition, known for its heartwarming story and memorable child performances. The transition to a stage musical allowed the franchise to expand its audience, with rotating casts keeping the show fresh. Interest in “then and now” cast updates reflects the nostalgic connection audiences have with the film.
What sources are available for the cast information?
The primary sources for the cast lists are Wikipedia and IMDb. For child actor updates, Cosmopolitan (December 2025) provides recent information on Sam, Bob, Alfie, and TJ. The BBC programme page lists the main adult cast for the original film. The original stage musical cast was announced by Musical Theatre Review in 2017.
“Cosmopolitan article (Dec 2025) provides up-to-date information on child actors including Sam, Bob, Alfie, TJ.”
Cosmopolitan UK
“BBC page lists the main adult cast for the original film.”
BBC
“Musical Theatre Review announces the original stage musical cast (2017).”
Musical Theatre Review
Summary: What do you need to know about the Nativity! cast?
The Nativity! film series and stage musical feature a mix of well-known adult actors (Martin Freeman, David Tennant, Marc Wootton) and a large ensemble of child performers. Many of the child actors from the 2009 film have been tracked in later articles, with some still acting and others pursuing different paths. The sequel introduced a new lead while retaining a few original cast members. The stage musical continues to tour with different casts each year. For the most recent cast updates, consult the Nativity! cast list child actors then and now article.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Nativity! films are there?
There are two films: Nativity! (2009) and Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger (2012). A third film, Nativity Rocks!, was released in 2018 but is not part of the same series.
Is Nativity! based on a true story?
No, it is a fictional comedy film.
Does the original cast return for the sequel?
Only a few actors return, such as Marc Wootton (Mr. Poppy), Jason Watkins (Gordon Shakespeare), and Pam Ferris (Mrs. Bevan). Martin Freeman does not appear in the sequel.
Can I watch Nativity! The Musical online?
As of 2025, there is no official streaming version; check for future releases or live recordings.
Who played the character of Bob in Nativity!?
Bob was played by Ben Wilby.
Who played the character of Ollie in Nativity?
Ollie was played by Brandon McDonald in the 2009 film.
Where can I watch the Nativity! films in the UK?
Nativity! is currently streaming on Netflix in the UK. It is also often available on BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video.
Are there any other internal articles about the Nativity! cast?
Yes, you can read more about the Nativity! adult cast and where to watch.
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Toby Marsh is Senior Reporter at Castradar.uk, covering film and TV stories across the UK.