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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Social Executive, Entertainment Portfolio After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022, where she wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona continued contributing to the site as a freelance reporter, becoming social executive for the Hearst UK entertainment portfolio in summer 2025. Iona now leads the DS social channels, covering red carpets with stars such as Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, and more.
