Meet the Characters!, also known as Meet Thomas' Friends, are a series of promotional videos that tie into Big World! Big Adventures! and Series 22. The videos are narrated by John Hasler and Joseph May as Thomas in their respective dubs and focus on a specific character, their personality and country of origin, with some specific scenes using specially-shot footage if there is no such footage in the archives. They are available as DVD extras and uploaded to the official Thomas and Friends YouTube channels for both the US and UK. The characters being focused on are either new characters from Big World! Big Adventures! and Series 22 or returnees from The Great Race. The first video was released on 24th August 2018.
In 2019, a second set of these videos were produced for further new characters and returning characters from The Great Race in Digs and Discoveries and Series 23. The roster includes new and returning characters from Italy and Brazil, as well as the Sodor Construction Company members currently in CGI.
2018[]
Meet Ace of Australia![]
Description[]
Meet Ace, a super cool super fast racing car from Australia! The video was released on 24th August 2018 in the UK and 13th September 2018 in the US.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Ace
- Flying Scotsman (cameo)
- Nia (cameo)
- Sidney (cameo)
- Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
Locations[]
- Island of Sodor
- Vicarstown Bridge
- Ffarquhar
- Mauritania
- The Sahara
- Brazil
- Amazon Rainforest
- Australia (mentioned)
Episodes[]
Trivia[]
- The events of Big World! Big Adventures! are mentioned in this video.
Video[]
Meet Nia of Kenya![]
Description[]
Meet Nia, a steam engine Thomas met on his big world adventure! The video was released on 31st August 2018 in the UK and 8th September 2018 in the US.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Nia
- Gordon (cameo)
- James (cameo)
- Percy (cameo)
- Emily (cameo)
- Porter (cameo)
- Rebecca (cameo)
- Salty (cameo)
- Cranky (cameo)
- Carly (cameo)
- Big Mickey (cameo)
Locations[]
- Island of Sodor
- Knapford Yards
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Brendam Docks
- Kenya
Episodes[]
Trivia[]
- The events of Big World! Big Adventures! are mentioned in this video.
- The sequence of Nia arranging the trucks at Brendam Docks was reused in Counting on Nia.
Goofs[]
- In the "scrapbook" scenes, the flag of South Africa is used instead of the flag of Kenya.
Video[]
Meet Beau of America![]
Description[]
Meet Beau, a really cool mining engine that works in the wild west! The video was released in the UK on 7th September 2018 and on 4th October 2018.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Beau
- Ace (cameo)
- Cowboys and Cowgirls (cameo)
Locations[]
- United States
- Morenci Loop
- Island of Sodor (mentioned)
Episodes[]
Goofs[]
- When Beau rotates around, his leading pony truck does not move and faces the same direction throughout as Beau spins.
Video[]
Meet Hong-Mei of China![]
Description[]
Meet Hong Mei, a blue tank engine just like Thomas! The video was released on 14th September 2018 in the UK and on 27th September 2018 in the US.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Hong-Mei
- An An and Yin-Long
- Yong Bao (cameo)
Locations[]
Episodes[]
Video[]
Meet Yong-Bao of China![]
Description[]
Meet the beautiful and majestic Yong Bao from China! The video was released on 20th September 2018 in the US and 2nd November 2018 in the UK.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Yong Bao
- James (cameo)
- Emily (cameo)
- Rajiv (cameo)
- Carlos (cameo)
- Shane (cameo)
- Ivan (cameo)
- Lei (cameo)
Locations[]
- The Mainland
- The Great Railway Show Yard
- China
- Chinese Railway Shunting Yard
- Himalayas
Episodes[]
- The Great Race
- Yong Bao of China
- Runaway Truck
- Thomas and the Dragon
Trivia[]
- The events of The Great Race are mentioned in this video.
Video[]
Meet Noor Jehan of India![]
Description[]
Noor Jehan is so elegant and glamourous. The video was released on 21st September 2018 in the UK and 29th November 2018 in the US.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Rajiv
- Noor Jehan (does not speak)
Episodes[]
Locations[]
- India
- Indian Railway Shunting Yard
- Varkala Railway Station (yard only)
Trivia[]
- This is the only video in which the main subject of the video does not speak.
Video[]
Meet Rajiv of India![]
Description[]
Meet Rajiv - the most glamorous steam engine on the railway! The video was released on 28th September 2018 in the UK and 22nd November 2018 in the US.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Rajiv
- Ashima (cameo)
- Noor Jehan (cameo)
- Charubala (cameo)
- The Indian Actor (cameo)
Locations[]
- India
Episodes[]
Trivia[]
- The events of The Great Race are mentioned in this video.
Video[]
Meet Shane of Australia![]
Description[]
Shane is a large and powerful steam engine. The video was released on 5th October 2018 in the UK and on 25th October 2018 in the US.
Characters[]
Locations[]
- Australia
- Kakadu National Park
- Pine Tree Station
Episodes[]
Trivia[]
- Tim Bain voiced Shane in this video as opposed to Shane Jacobson.
Video[]
Meet Rebecca of England![]
Description[]
Meet Rebecca, a steam engine who has recently come to work on the Island of Sodor! The video was released on 12th October 2018 in the UK and 18th October 2018 in the US.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Rebecca
- Marion
- Gordon (cameo)
- James (cameo)
- Percy (cameo)
- Emily (cameo)
- Nia (cameo)
- Winston (cameo)
- Sir Topham Hatt (cameo)
Locations[]
- Island of Sodor
- The Mainland (mentioned)
Episodes[]
Video[]
Meet Shankar of India![]
Description[]
Meet Shankar, a hardworking diesel engine from the Indian railway! The video was released on 19th October 2018 in the UK and 6th December 2018 in the US.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Shankar
- Tiger Hunters Template:Do not speak
Locations[]
Episodes[]
Trivia[]
- The events of Tiger Trouble are mentioned in this video.
Goofs[]
- In the UK narration, the music at the start of the video is distorted.
Video[]
Meet Tamika of Australia![]
Description[]
Meet Tamika, a historic steam engine from Australia! The video was released on 26th October 2018 in the UK and 13th December 2018 in the US.
Characters[]
Locations[]
- Australia
Episodes[]
Video[]
Meet Isla of Australia![]
Description[]
Isla is from Australia, just like Shane. She is brave and flies. The video was released 1st November 2018 in the US and 9th November 2018 in the UK.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Aubrey and Aiden
- Isla
- Dr. Claire (not named; does not speak)
- Shane (cameo)
Locations[]
- Australia
Episodes[]
Video[]
Meet Ashima of India![]
Description[]
Meet Ashima, a friend of Thomas from India. The video was released in the US on 25th June 2019.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Ashima
- Rajiv (cameo)
- Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
- The Indian Breakdown Cranes (cameo)
Locations[]
- Island of Sodor
- The Watermill
- India
Episodes[]
Video[]
2019[]
Meet Lorenzo and Beppe of Italy![]
Description[]
Lorenzo is a vintage locomotive. He was once a fast and impulsive engine, but in a bid for notoriety and desperate to find treasure, he would rush into archaeological digs without taking the time to understand his surroundings - which led to him being trapped in a disused dig... until Thomas rescues him!
He loves the sound of his own voice and being the center of attention, especially while singing operatic ditties with his small coach, Beppe. Whilst his speaking voice may be deep, Lorenzo has a classical tenor singing voice.
Beppe is Lorenzo's small coach - he loves to sensationalise situations and idolises Lorenzo. Beppe and Lorenzo are like an operatic double act and often break out into song. Beppe sings the bass notes to Lorenzo's tenor voice. The video was released in the UK on 23rd July 2019.
Characters[]
Locations[]
- Italy
Trivia[]
- This is the first short to introduce two characters at the same time (Lorenzo and Beppe).
- As of this short:
- A snippet of Set Friendship in Motion plays at the start of each video.
- Throughout each video, an instrumental of The Journey Never Ends plays.
Video[]
Meet Gina of Italy![]
Description[]
Gina is an enthusiastic and passionate engine who loves her homeland of Italy. She's a loyal friend to Thomas but can get a little disgruntled with him when he makes silly remarks about her beloved country's history. The video was released in the UK on 12th July 2019.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Gina
- Beppe (cameo)
- Jack (cameo)
- Alfie (cameo)
- Oliver (cameo)
- Max and Monty (cameo)
- Brenda (cameo)
Locations[]
- Italy
Video[]
Meet Stefano of Italy![]
Description[]
Stefano is a huge amphibious vehicle who can transport engines and other vehicles around the world. He is a bit of a showboat and loves to wow people with his amphibious ability, and revels in their surprise. He is a confident performer and raconteur who likes to tell stories and sees himself as a boat of the world. Stefano can be quite charming and gentle and is not really as full of himself as his pompous manner might suggest. There is a genuine warmth to his larger-than-life, friendly personality, and he truly cares about others. The video was released in the UK on 28th July 2019.
Characters[]
Locations[]
Video[]
Meet the Sodor Construction Company![]
Description[]
TBA
Characters[]
Locations[]
- Island of Sodor
- Crosby Tunnel
Trivia[]
- This is the first Meet the Characters video to be based on Sodor.
Goofs[]
- In the turntable view of Max and Monty, Monty has the number 15.
Meet Raul of Brazil![]
Description[]
TBA
Characters[]
Locations[]
- Brazil
Episodes[]
Video[]
Meet Gabriela and Cassia of Brazil![]
Description[]
TBA
Characters[]
Locations[]
- Brazil
Episodes[]
Video[]
Meet Ester of Italy![]
Description[]
TBA
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Gina
- Ester
- Jack (does not speak)
- Alfie (cameo)
- Oliver (cameo)
- Max and Monty (cameo)
- Brenda (cameo)
