1970’s family favourite The Railway Children is set to return to our screens next year – with filming for the Studio Canal sequel starting in Yorkshire next week.
Jenny Agutter will reprise her original role in the movie, nearly 50 years after it first aired on UK screens. She will appear in the remake alongside co-stars Sheridan Smith and Tom Courtenay, as well as a whole new generation of railway children.
Directed by UK filmmaker Morgan Matthew, the new plot centres on a group of children who are evacuated to a Yorkshire village during the Second World War. Here, they come across a young soldier who, like them, finds himself far away from home.
Filming is due to begin across Yorkshire on May 10th, with some key locations from the original film incorporated into the remake.
It’s been confirmed that locations such as Oakworth Station in Haworth, The Bronte Parsonage and the iconic Keighley and Worth Valley Railway will feature – giving locals a great opportunity to catch the action first hand.
What’s more, with most of the first film initially being made in West Yorkshire, we expect there’ll be a few more surprises popping up along the way.
Based on the novel by E. Nesbit, and directed by Lionel Jeffries, the 1970’s original followed the story of three Edwardian children and their mother who move to Yorkshire after their father is imprisoned.
The sequel looks to be set some years later, reworking the initial adventure for a whole new generation.
A plot synopsis reads: “Inspired by one of the most beloved British family films of all time, THE RAILWAY CHILDREN RETURN is an enchanting adventure for a new generation bringing a contemporary sensibility to a classic story and combining British cast with stunning locations.
“THE RAILWAY CHILDREN RETURN will take audiences on an exciting and heart-warming journey, in which a group of children are evacuated to a Yorkshire village during World War 2, where they encounter a young soldier, who like them, is far away from home…”
