Production started this week on The Christmas Candle on location in the UK and the Isle of Man.

Directed by John Stephenson, the drama stars Les Miserables’ Samantha Barks, Hans Matheson and Lesley Manville with singer Susan Boyle making her first feature appearance.

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When a sleepy village’s legendary Christmas Candle goes missing, the miraculous and the human collide on the Impact and Big Book Media production, co-produced with Pinewood Pictures.

Tom Newman and Candace Lee produce for Impact, with Lee also writing the script with Eric Newman. Hannah Leader, former co-owner of Capitol Films, produces for Big Book Media. Steve Christian, Ivan Dunleavy, Huw Penallt Jones and Brian Lockhart are executive producers. Pinewood Pictures will distribute in the UK.

Samantha Barks said: “Having just landed from the Academy Awards I had an hour to unpack and repack and get to set. I’m very excited to be part of The Christmas Candle and I’m loving every second.”

Sylvester McCoy, John Hannah, Barbara Flynn and James Cosmo are also in the cast.

Talking about her first acting role Susan Boyle said: “I can’t believe I’m making a film. I’m very excited to be a part of The Christmas Candle. Everyone on set is a delight to work with and it’s a fantastic experience to be part of the team. I’m really enjoying getting dressed in the period costumes and stepping back in time and although it’s very cold filming on location, I’m wearing long johns under my bustle.”

Britain’s Got Talent contestant Boyle’s debut album, I Dreamed a Dream became the UK’s best-selling debut album of all time.