Stars join Great Western Railway and STUDIOCANAL to unveil Paddington in Peru Express ahead of film release
Stars from PADDINGTON IN PERU today unveiled a special livery on a Great Western Railway Intercity Express Train ahead of next month’s eagerly-awaited cinema release.
PADDINGTON IN PERU, which is developed, produced and distributed by STUDIOCANAL, hits cinemas across the UK on 8 November 2024.
The Brown family – Hugh Bonneville (Mr Brown), Emily Mortimer (Mrs Brown), Madeleine Harris (Judy Brown) and Samuel Joslin (Jonathan Brown) – stepped off the Paddington in Peru Express for a special photo call at London Paddington station.
For B-roll footage of today's unveiling please click here.
Following its unveiling, the quartet climbed back on board IET 802106 as the Paddington in Peru Express made its inaugural journey to Newbury, birthplace of Michael Bond, author of the best-selling and internationally-adored series of children’s stories.
Enjoying a Pullman tea, which included Paddington’s favourite marmalade sandwiches, the cast mingled with guests including staff from London Paddington station who appear in the film. Joining the Brown family was the film’s producer, Rosie Alison, and director, Dougal Wilson.
PADDINGTON IN PERU producer, Rosie Alison, said:
“Paddington station will forever be synonymous with Michael Bond’s beloved and iconic creation, the polite and hopeful bear cub who arrived on the station platform with his small suitcase and a label saying ‘Please look after this bear. Thank you.’ So, it is wonderful to return to this station which has always warmly welcomed us for filming on all three Paddington films.”
GWR Sales and Marketing Director, Amanda Burns, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of our long association with the world’s most instantly-recognisable and adorable bear and we hope our customers will enjoy travelling on our new Paddington in Peru Express.
“It has been a really exciting opportunity to work with the team at STUDIOCANAL, not only helping with the promotion of the much-anticipated film release, but also using the opportunity to showcase GWR and the world-class destinations we have on our network.
“We might not travel as far as Peru, but you might just find the Paddington in Peru Express travelling to the likes of Penzance, Plymouth and Pershore!”
Network Rail Station Manager for London Paddington, Haji Mustaq, said:
“Our station at London Paddington is famous the world over because of its association with the cheeky bear.
“We’re pleased to have been able to work with our colleagues at GWR to name a train in honour of Paddington Bear and hope that it brings smiles to people across the network who may get the chance to travel in style onboard the Paddington in Peru Express.”
PADDINGTON IN PERU brings Paddington’s story to Peru as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.
The third instalment in the hugely-popular film series, PADDINGTON IN PERU is released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on Friday 8 November 2024.
The Pullman tea was created with help from The Newt in Somerset and consisted of marmalade sandwiches, freshly-baked scones with The Newt’s very own Strawberry and Rose Petal preserve, and a selection of sweet treats.
Contact Information
John Carter
Media and Communications Manager
Great Western Railway
0845 410 4444
Notes to editors
About Great Western Railway
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services and helps more than 80 million passengers reach their destination every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to operate the Great Western network: https://www.gwr.com/about-us
About STUDIOCANAL (a CANAL+ Company)
STUDIOCANAL, a 100% affiliate of CANAL+ Group held by Vivendi, is Europe’s leader in production, distribution and international sales of feature films and series, operating in all nine major European markets - France, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Spain, Denmark and Benelux - as well as in Australia and New Zealand. It finances and produces around 30 films per year, distributes around 80 films per year. It owns the largest library in Europe and one of the most prestigious libraries in the world, boasting more than 8 000 titles from 60 countries, spanning 100 years of film history. 20 million euros has been invested into the restoration of 750 classic films over the past 5 years. In addition, STUDIOCANAL also produces almost 20 series each year and operates at an international level by globally distributing its scripted productions and CANAL+ Originals (2,000 hours of current and library content in distribution). All productions take place directly through STUDIOCANAL entities or with its award-winning network of 14 production companies in Europe and in the United States (STUDIOCANAL Series, LAILAPS FILMS, RED PRODUCTION COMPANY, URBAN MYTH FILMS, BAMBÚ PRODUCCIONES, STUDIOCANAL ORIGINAL, 2e BUREAU, SUNNYMARCH TV, SAM Productions, DINGIE, KINO SWIAT, BIRDIE PICTURES, STRONG FILM & TELEVISION, THE PICTURE COMPANY).
About The Newt in Somerset
The Newt in Somerset is a 2,000-acre working country estate near Bruton, with farmland, formal and productive gardens, luxury hotel and spa, ancient woodlands, apple orchards, cyder cellar, restaurants, farm shops and an educational programme - with exhibits including a full recreation of a 4th century Roman Villa, which once stood on the site. The hotel is home to 42 individually designed rooms set across two accommodation styles - Hadspen House, the Grade II*-listed Georgian manor house at the heart of the gardens, and Farmyard which offers a laid back, private experience, hidden away in a secluded area of the estate. The ethos of The Newt in Somerset is to celebrate the Somerset countryside, with a focus on the local and sustainable. The bucolic setting has inspired a garden-to-table menu in the restaurants, as well as botanical treatments in the spa. Members can enjoy these year-round, along with an annual programme of talks, workshops and events led by The Newt’s knowledgeable team. The estate’s ethos is to combine traditional practices with modern facilities and thinking, farming in a circular way that gives back to the soil. Livestock and crops regenerate each other to create a balanced ecosystem. Everything is rooted in a deep respect for the land and all creatures living on it.