Nativity 3 cast: Dude, Where’s My Donkey? sequel updates

There’s a special kind of charm to a British Christmas comedy that returns every few years with the same beloved characters, even if the plot gets a bit more bonkers. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to the pupils of St Bernadette’s after they chased a donkey to New York, or if the franchise has another installment in store, this guide tracks the cast of Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey?, gives you the real story behind those child actors, and checks whether a fourth film has any chance of appearing in your holiday lineup.

Release year: 2014 ·
Director: Debbie Isitt ·
Main cast count: 15+ ·
Last film in franchise: Nativity Rocks! (2018)

Key details about Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey? in a glance:

Will there be a Nativity 4?

Three films have released so far, each arriving roughly every four years: the original Nativity! (2009), Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger (2012), Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey? (2014), and finally Nativity Rocks! (2018) – which is actually the fourth film in the franchise. As of early 2025, no official announcement has been made about a fifth film.

What is the status of Nativity 4?

Debbie Isitt, the creator and director behind all four films, has not confirmed plans for a follow-up. The 2018 film Nativity Rocks! was billed as the third film by some outlets but is, in chronological order, the fourth installment. A significant gap of seven years (as of 2025) without movement suggests no active development at the moment.

Who would return for a fourth film?

• Marc Wootton has appeared as Mr. Poppy in every film so far (British Comedy Guide film database)
• Martin Clunes’s character Mr. Shepherd could return if the story centers on the original class
• New characters would likely join if Isitt writes a fresh premise

The pattern: the franchise has a consistent core cast but adds new faces each time. The central child cast would be completely different given the age gap. What this means: even if a Nativity 4 materializes, it would likely feature a new generation of children rather than the 2014 ensemble.

Is St Bernadette’s a real school from Nativity?

Many viewers ask whether the fictional school at the heart of the Nativity films – St Bernadette’s – is based on a real institution. The short answer: it was created entirely by writer-director Debbie Isitt.

Where was St Bernadette’s filmed?

The school scenes were filmed at various locations in Coventry and Warwickshire, blending different buildings and exteriors to create a single fictional school on screen. Real primary schools in the West Midlands area lent their spaces for the production.

Is the school based on a real institution?

St Bernadette’s is not modeled after any specific school. Isitt has described it in interviews as a composite representation of British primary schools. The name itself is entirely fictional.

The implication: the speculation online about a “real St Bernadette’s” is a consequence of how convincingly the locations were stitched together – a testament to the production design rather than an actual school.

Who plays Mr Poppy in Nativity 4?

Marc Wootton is the actor behind the exuberant teaching assistant Mr. Poppy. He’s the only cast member to have appeared in every single Nativity film, starting from 2009 through to 2018’s Nativity Rocks!.

Does Marc Wootton reprise his role?

Wootton returns as Mr. Poppy in every installment. If a Nativity 4 were produced, all signs point to Wootton being the first actor to sign on. His character is the franchise’s comic anchor and the narrative through-line that connects each movie.

The trade-off: the franchise’s dependence on Wootton’s character is also its constraint – any future film would need his participation to feel legitimate to audiences.

Did any of the child actors in Nativity become famous?

Several child actors from the Nativity films have continued working in the industry, while most have moved on to other careers. One notable success story: Pixie Davies, who appeared in Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger (2012), went on to land the role of young Jane Banks in Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns (2018).

Which child actors have continued acting?

• Pixie Davies – continued with major film roles after Nativity 2 (British Comedy Guide child cast list)
• Mason Daw – cast in Nativity 3, has a small but growing profile
• Ben Wilby – appears in Nativity 3, limited known credits since

Who are the most successful Nativity alumni?

Davies is the most commercially successful child actor from the franchise so far. Most of the child cast from Nativity 3 – including Lauren Hobbs, Caelan Corkery, Jessie Elgar, and others – have not racked up notable IMDb credits in the decade since the film’s release, suggesting they either left the industry entirely or pursued non-entertainment careers.

Where are the Nativity cast now?

The adult cast of the Nativity films has largely remained visible in British entertainment. Here’s where they are now, a decade after their Nativity 3 roles.

What happened to Martin Clunes?

Clunes continues to star as Dr. Martin Ellingham in the long-running ITV series Doc Martin, which concluded its tenth and final season in 2024. He has also narrated several wildlife documentaries and comedy dramas.

Where is Catherine Tate now?

Tate has moved between comedy and drama, reprising her role as Donna Noble in Doctor Who (2023 specials) and starring in the detective series Signora Volpe. She remains a regular on British television.

What about the child actors?

Most child actors from Nativity 3 are now in their late teens or early twenties. Pixie Davies is the only one with a major post-Nativity credit. For others like Taliyah Lawley-Brown, Lyla Peters, and Rhys Wilkinson, public records show no significant acting credits after 2016. Their Nativity role remains, for now, their most visible work.

Why this matters: the Nativity franchise was always a stepping stone for child performers, and the data shows that the industry is a tough business. A single film credit, even in a popular Christmas comedy, is rarely enough to sustain a career.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Timeline of the Nativity franchise

The timeline gap: seven years since the last film, with no news in 2025. The implication for fans: the franchise is likely dormant, though not officially dead.

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Frequently asked questions

For fans of the Nativity films wondering what’s next: the cast remains active in British entertainment, but the franchise appears to have gone quiet. Whether another installment arrives – and which of the original St Bernadette’s pupils might return – depends entirely on Debbie Isitt’s decision. For viewers hoping for a reunion, the clear option is to revisit the 2014 film, which still holds up as a warm, silly, and genuinely charming slice of British Christmas cinema.