Nativity! star looks unrecognisable 14 years after she starred in Christmas film favourite – and says her parents ‘still make me watch it every year’
Christmas comedy “Christmas!” it featured famous actors such as David Tennant, Martin Freeman and Alan Carr, but can you recognize this actor from the 2009 film?
The former child star of the hit movie “Nativity!” said that 14 years later she finds the film “distasteful” but admits her parents still insist on watching it every year.
Becca Maguire, now 23, was cast as student Saffron in the production back in 2009 after signing with an agency through her local drama school, which led to her having to share the screen with Martin Freeman and Alan Carr.
The British Christmas film was released on November 27, 2009, followed by Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger (2012), Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey? (2014) and “Christmas Rocks!” (2018).
Becca, a recent art history graduate, said much of the film was filmed during a six-week summer holiday at school in Coventry, Warwickshire.
Becca Maguire, 23, played a student named Saffron in the film Holiday! in 2009 after signing with an agency through her local drama school – but do you remember the cute schoolgirl thing she said?
She was then lucky enough to fly to Los Angeles for two weeks with her fellow cast member Michael McAuley, who played William in the film, to film additional footage for the production.
Becca says she was just eight years old when she starred in the film and it was “a lot of fun” to be part of the musical comedy directed by Debbie Isitt.
But while it has become a Christmas tradition to watch the film with her parents every year, she says she finds the plot “distasteful” and would rather watch Love Actually.
Since starring in the movie “Christmas!” Becca left her acting career to focus on her studies, graduating from UCL with an MA in Art History in September 2022 and is now applying for a PhD.
Becca, from Guildford in Surrey, said: “I watched the first and second Christmas!” movies, but I don’t think I’ve seen the other two.
“Nativity” is not my favorite Christmas movie. I find this quite unpleasant.
“I don’t know if it’s because I’m in it, but it’s not my favorite movie. However, my mom and dad force us to watch it every year as a Christmas tradition. My favorite Christmas movie is Love Actually.
Becca pictured at age 8 performing “Sparkle And Shine” on Nativity! 2009! movie
Becca (right) pictured with her co-stars Michael McAuley (left) and Martin Freeman (centre) in 2009.
Becca Maguire, 8, with Martin Freeman at Christmas! premiere 2009
Becca Maguire in the hit film from 2009 (left) and 2023 (right).
“I was only eight when I did the film. Many of the kids who auditioned were well rehearsed and had dance routines planned.
“I just showed up and didn’t expect it to go anywhere.
“When I got the role, we weren’t sure if I would play an extra or a lead role.
“We didn’t know about going to Los Angeles to film for ages.
“I remember being so nervous when we were in Los Angeles singing for Hollywood producers.
“There were so many producers, directors and cameramen, and it was really nerve-wracking.
“But it was a lot of fun and we had a few days off where we went to amusement parks and explored them.
The actress portrays herself as eight years old in the film Christmas!
“I remember making so many new friends on set and the whole experience was so much fun.
“And shooting in the cathedral at the end of the film was amazing. We will have to go to bed very late.
Christmas! is a British film that tells the story of a heartbroken primary school teacher who tells a little white lie that Hollywood has come to visit his school and watch a children’s Christmas play.
Becca said that during filming, all the kids learned the lyrics, but they were never given lines to learn how to make their acting more “natural” on set.
She said that everyone should choose their character’s name for the film, and Becca initially chose Sapphire, but the producers later changed it to Saffron.
Becca graduated from UCL with an MA in Art History in September 2022 and is currently applying for a PhD.
Michael McAuley, who played William, and Becca, who played Saffron, in photos from filming in Los Angeles in 2009.
In the photo, the actress imitates her character from the movie “Christmas!” 2009.
Becca, now 23, says she finds the film “disturbing” 14 years later.
A part-time day care worker says her favorite song from “Nativity!” It was the film Sparkle and the Shine for which she used the star mask, and says Mr Maddens, played by Martin Freeman, and Mr Poppy, played by Mark Wootton, had similar personalities on and off set.
Becca said: “The whole shoot felt very natural. When I played Saffron, I could be myself, and that was very smart.
“We learned the lyrics, but they didn’t give us a single line in the film. Throughout the filming process, we were simply given hints.
“The only thing they changed about me in the film was my name.
“We were free to choose our own character names and I chose Sapphire, but there was already a girl in production called Crystal and they thought it was too similar, so my name was changed to Saffron.
“Mr. Poppy was fun on set, and he and Mr. Maddens had the same personalities both on and off the set.”
Becca says people recognized her from the movie when she was younger, but not anymore.
But when people learn about her childhood fame, she says Saffron’s best line is when she announces her allergies before flying to Los Angeles.
Becca said: “No one seems to recognize me in person, but when I was younger I would sometimes get recognized on school trips.
“Whenever someone realizes it’s me (I played the role of Saffron), they always say that when I say ‘ponies, horses, donkeys and cats’ it’s funny.
“I’m actually allergic to these things, so it’s very me.”
This month marks 14 years since Christmas! the film was released, Becca created a TikTok page dedicated to her role as Saffron’s student in the film and users went crazy for it.
One person said: “Icon!”
Another added: “Queen Saffron.”
A third commented: “Omg you were so cute!”