Martin Freeman's Christmas comedy is now available to watch on Netflix
Martin Freeman's Christmas comedy Nativity! is now available to watch on Netflix.
Released in 2009, the British film stars Freeman as failed actor turned jaded primary school teacher Paul Maddens, who is asked to direct the school's annual nativity play despite his disdain for Christmas.
However, chaos ensues when Paul makes up an elaborate lie to impress his rival Gordon Shakespeare (Jason Watkins), saying that a Hollywood producer will be coming to watch the play and potentially turn it into a blockbuster movie.
Related: Best streaming services in 2024
The lie soon spirals hilariously out of control, driven by Paul's eccentric teaching assistant Mr Poppy (Marc Wootton) and a group of unruly children.
Shetland's Ashley Jensen, Call the Midwife's Pam Ferris and Alan Carr also star.
Nativity! landed on Netflix in the UK and Ireland today (December 1), just in time for the Christmas season.
The film was followed by a 2012 sequel titled Nativity! 2: Danger in the Manger, this time starring Doctor Who's David Tennant as the lead teacher.
Related: 30 best Christmas movies of all time you should watch
The film focuses on Tennant's anxious primary school teacher Donald Peterson, who embarks on a wild adventure with his class and Wootton's Mr Poppy as they travel to Wales to perform in a Christmas singing competition.
"I watched [the original] and thought, 'There is something really special about this', something really direct and big-hearted," Tennant told Digital Spy following the film's release.
"It has a kind of wonderful naivety to it, which you don't see enough of, and I thought that was something worth being involved in."
The franchise later spawned two more films: Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey? (2014), starring Martin Clunes, and Nativity Rocks! (2018), which introduced Casualty star Simon Lipkin as the new lead.
Nativity! is now available to watch on Netflix.
Echo Spot
Shop Sky TV, broadband and mobile Black Friday sale
Richard Osman: We Solve Murders
PS5 Slim Consoles
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Buy Alison Hammond's outfits
Google Pixel 9 (128GB, SIM-free in Obsidian)
Apple TV+ 7-day free trial
Glen Powell Twisters T-shirt
Buy Cat Deeley's This Morning outfits
Sign up for Disney+
The Street of Lies: An Official Coronation Street Interactive Novel
Death in Paradise: The Puzzle Book
You Might Also Like
