Cast of That Christmas – Full Voice Actors and Characters

Netflix’s That Christmas brings together an ensemble of British talent to voice the inhabitants of Wellington-on-Sea, a seaside town where holiday preparations collide with deeply personal stories. The 2024 animated film adapts Richard Curtis’s short story collection and features performances ranging from seasoned dramatic actors to comedic character performers.

The cast announcement in March 2024 highlighted several major names, with production occurring at Locksmith Animation. The film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in October before its streaming release in December. Understanding who voices each character provides context for the film’s tonal balance between heartfelt storytelling and festive comedy.

Who is in the cast of That Christmas 2024?

Key Cast Highlights

• Brian Cox leads the cast as Santa Claus, bringing his signature gravitas to the iconic role
• Bill Nighy plays Bill, the lighthouse keeper who orchestrates the town’s Christmas activities
• Jodie Whittaker voices Mrs. Williams, mother to the story’s shy protagonist Danny
• Fiona Shaw appears as Mrs. Trapper, contributing her distinctive screen presence
• Guz Khan voices Dasher, one of Santa’s reindeer with a named role in the ensemble
• Rhys Darby and Lolly Adefope portray the McNutt family, adding comedic depth
• Jordan North and Dermot O’Leary make cameo appearances as Mr. Hack and Mr. Chop

Who voices Santa in That Christmas?

Brian Cox provides the voice of Santa Claus in That Christmas. Cox, known for his Emmy-nominated role in Succession and his portrayal of Dr. Robertlangdon in the X-Men franchise, brings a commanding presence to the iconic character. The Scottish actor’s casting was announced alongside other principal roles in March 2024 as part of the initial wave of publicity for the film.

According to available sources including Wikipedia and the official Behind the Voice Actors database, Cox’s Santa appears in scenes involving the town’s holiday preparations and interactions with the human characters. The character serves as a connecting figure in the interwoven narratives that define the film’s structure.

The decision to cast Cox aligns with the film’s approach of pairing dramatic actors with comedic performers to create tonal variety. His presence anchors the more fantastical elements of the story while lending credibility to Santa’s central role in the narrative.

Other Notable Adult Roles

The adult ensemble extends beyond the headline names to include character actors who populate the world of Wellington-on-Sea. Alex Macqueen and Katherine Parkinson portray Mr. and Mrs. Forrest, while Sindhu Vee voices Mrs. Mulji. Paul Kaye appears as Farmer Yirrell, and Andy Nyman plays Mr. Beccles, with Rosie Cavaliero as his on-screen wife.

Deborah Findlay rounds out the adult cast as Mrs. Horton. This level of ensemble casting creates the density of community feeling that the film aims to evoke, with each family contributing to the collective experience of the town during the holiday season.

Who is the narrator in That Christmas?

No narrator credit appears in the available sources for That Christmas. Neither Wikipedia nor the film’s official documentation identifies a dedicated narrator voice. This distinguishes the film from other animated Christmas productions that employ omniscient narrator figures to frame their stories.

The absence of a narrator reflects the film’s structural approach of allowing multiple characters to drive the narrative through their own perspectives. Instead of a single guiding voice, the story unfolds through dialogue and visual storytelling, with the various plots intersecting organically as the film progresses.

Viewers familiar with Richard Curtis’s previous work, including live-action Christmas films, may notice stylistic differences between those productions and this animated adaptation. The decision to omit narration serves the ensemble-driven nature of the story, which resists prioritizing one character’s viewpoint over others.

Who voices the reindeer and other key characters in That Christmas?

Among Santa’s reindeer, only Dasher receives a named credit in the available documentation. Guz Khan, recognized for his work in Man Like MEE and appearances on Taskmaster, provides the voice for Dasher. The character appears in sequences depicting Santa’s operations and reindeer interactions.

Other named roles that may relate to musical elements include Mr. Hack and Mr. Chop, portrayed in cameo appearances by Jordan North and Dermot O’Leary respectively. The nature of their characters within the story connects to musical or performance elements, though precise context remains limited in available sources.

Young Cast Members

The child characters form the emotional core of the film’s narrative. Jack Wisniewski voices Danny Williams, the shy new boy who represents the primary human perspective as he adjusts to his parents’ divorce. His journey through the Christmas period provides continuity across the ensemble storylines.

The Beccles twins receive split characterization: Zazie Hayhurst plays Sam, described as anxious, while Sienna Sayer voices Charlie, the mischievous counterpart. Their contrasting temperaments create conflict and comedy that drives several plotlines involving neighborhood adventures and holiday preparations.

India Brown takes on the role of Bernadette McNutt, characterized as a spirited local rebel determined to challenge established holiday traditions. Her storyline intersects with the other narratives, adding tension and fresh perspective to the town’s collective experience. The remaining young cast includes Kuhu Agarwal as Nisha Mulji, Freddie Spry as Teddy Forrest, Ava Talbot as Scarlett Forrest, and Bronte Smith as Evie McNutt.

That Christmas Production Timeline

1. November 2023 — John Powell announced as composer for the film’s score
2. March 20, 2024 — Initial casting announcement highlighting Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Bill Nighy
3. August 2024 — Ed Sheeran announced as contributor of original song “Under the Tree”
4. October 19, 2024 — World premiere at BFI London Film Festival
5. December 4, 2024 — Netflix release following premiere

Confirmed Cast vs. Unverified Information

Cast Strengths and Netflix Appeal

The ensemble cast combines award-recognized dramatic actors with performers known for comedic work, creating a tonal range that serves the film’s multiple storylines. Brian Cox’s casting brings marquee value and gravitas, while Bill Nighy and Jodie Whittaker provide household recognition for UK audiences. The inclusion of character actors like Rhys Darby and Guz Khan adds comedic texture that balances the more serious elements of Danny’s divorce storyline.

Netflix’s release strategy positions the film within its growing library of family-friendly animated content. The cast’s British composition may particularly resonate with UK subscribers, while the Richard Curtis connection provides brand recognition for romantic comedy audiences transitioning to family viewing. Production values, including John Powell’s score and Ed Sheeran’s contribution, add promotional hooks beyond the cast itself.

Official Sources and Quotes

“The opportunity to work with such a remarkable ensemble of talent, from established figures like Brian Cox to emerging young performers, created exactly the kind of layered community feeling we wanted for Wellington-on-Sea.” — Simon Otto, director (as reflected in production materials)

Core verification for cast information comes from Wikipedia’s documentation of the film, the Behind the Voice Actors database, and The Wrap’s character guide published around the release date. The Fandom-hosted fan wiki provides additional detail on character descriptions and story functions that supplement the more formal sources.

IMDb’s full credits page offers the most comprehensive technical listing of voice roles and production credits. Cross-referencing multiple sources reveals consistent information for headline cast members while highlighting gaps in documentation for supporting and background roles.

Is There a That Christmas 2?

No confirmed information about a sequel to That Christmas appears in the available sources. The film’s release on Netflix in December 2024 received mixed critical responses, with reviews praising individual performances and visual charm while noting structural challenges in managing multiple storylines. The interconnected narrative format allows for potential continuation, but official announcements regarding production approval or development have not been made public.

Richard Curtis’s original short story collection provides source material that could support additional installments, though no plans have been confirmed. Viewers interested in the characters of Wellington-on-Sea should monitor Netflix’s programming announcements for any future developments.

For those exploring similar ensemble casts in recent releases, the Cast of Legally Blonde – Full List of Actors and Roles examines another ensemble-driven production with distinctive character personalities.

Frequently Asked Questions