The Scottish actor-director, who has played Dr. Owen Hunt in 16 seasons of Shonda Rhimes’ hit drama, will portray Rob Robinson opposite Nina Toussaint-White (Bodyguard), who is his wife Sarah. Their three children will be played by a trio of emerging young talent in Ava McCarthy, Ida Brooke and Tylan Bailey.
Based on E Nesbit’s classic and penned by Tom Bidwell, The Primrose Railway Children follows Phoebe, her older sister Becks, older brother Perry and their mum who are living a comfortable life in Glasgow when suddenly they are uprooted from their lives and moved to the remote highlands of Scotland. Filming will commence this month in and around Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands. Tracey Beaker author Wilson’s book is based on The Railway Children, which was also remade as a movie recently starring Jenny Agutter, Tom Courtenay and Sheridan Smith.
McKidd has acted in Grey’s Anatomy since 2008. Other credits include Anna Karenina, Journeyman and Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, in which he played Tommy Mackenzie.
“Reading Tom’s brilliant script was a real joy, it captures the spirit and emotion of the original,” said McKidd. “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.”
CBBC has been going big on its adaptations lately and has also made versions of Oliver Twist and The Famous Five.
BBC Studios Kids & Family is producing the feature. Tali Walters is creative lead, Alison Davis is EP and John McKay is producer. The feature has been adapted for screen by Bidwell and will be directed by Julian Kemp. International distribution is being handled by BBC Studios.