Fresh faces on the Dales include Neve McIntosh and James Bolam.
Based on the novels of James Herriot, Channel 5’s adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small is gearing up for its fourth season.
Due in the autumn, and on MASTERPIECE in the US in early 2024, the show is back for six further hour-long episodes, plus another Christmas special.
Channel 5 has now confirmed the returning cast; Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton as James and Helen Herriot, Anna Madeley as Mrs Hall and Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon. Plus, Patricia Hodge reprises her role as Mrs Pumphrey, owner of the infamous Tricki Woo.
With Tristan away serving in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Skeldale House is welcoming new faces. Neve McIntosh (Doctor Who, Shetland) joins the cast as the highly efficient bookkeeper Miss Harbottle. So too does James Anthony-Rose (Slow Horses), as the studious undergraduate vet student Richard Carmody who arrives at Skeldale as part of his placement under the guidance of James.
We can also expect a colourful ensemble of farmers, animals and townsfolk including Helen’s family Tony Pitts (Mr Alderson) and Imogen Clawson (Jenny Alderson), and Paul Copley (Mrs Hall’s love-interest Gerald). Plus, we can expect to see Cleo Sylvestre, Sam Retford and James Bolam.
It will be interesting to see the story develop during wartime. In the beloved 1970s/80s BBC adaptation, the series skipped over the war, ending its original run with all three vets heading off to take part in the conflict. This adaptation is taking a different approach with, so far, just Tristian departing to enlist.
Production details
On the writing side, executive producer Ben Vanstone writes the Christmas Special. Jamie Crichton also returns, this time as lead writer and executive producer. He’s joined by Maxine Alderton (Doctor Who) and Helen Raynor (A Discovery of Witches, Doctor Who). The directors are Andy Hay (The Last Kingdom), Stewart Svaasand (Death in Paradise) and Jordan Hogg (Ralph and Katie).
All Creatures Great and Small is a Playground production for Channel 5 and MASTERPIECE in association with All3Media International. The executive producers are Colin Callender, Melissa Gallant, Jamie Crichton and Ben Vanstone for Playground. Plus, Susanne Simpson and Rebecca Eaton for MASTERPIECE, and Louise Pedersen and David Swetman for All3Media International.
All Creatures Great and Small Series 4 is currently filming on location in Yorkshire. In the meantime, for UK viewers, all three previous series are available to stream via My5.
We’ll keep you posted.