CHANNEL 5’s All Creatures Great and Small is returning to screens in two weeks.
The series, which is a reboot of the original ‘70s show of the same name, first aired in September 2020 and has quickly developed a devoted fan base.
All Creatures Great and Small is returning to Channel 5 for a fifth series this month, but it received a double commission and series 6 is also in the works.
On the exciting double series order, Paul Testar, commissioning editor of Drama at Channel 5 and Paramount+, said: “We’re so pleased that All Creatures Great and Small will be returning to Channel 5 for two more series.
“The show has captured the hearts of our audiences and we are committed to bringing even more of James Herriot’s unforgettable stories to our viewers. We can’t wait to share this next chapter.”
The series is, of course, based on the bestselling collection of stories by author and real-life vet James Herriot, and there are plenty more stories left to tell.
Picking up from the event of the dramatic 2023 Christmas Special – where James sadly missed the birth of his son – All Creatures Great and Small takes viewers back to Yorkshire for more dales drama on Thursday 19th September.
The latest series is set in Spring 1941 in Darrowby where young baby Jimmy keeps our favourite Skeldale House family on their toes.
According to the official synopsis: “Helen is getting the hang of motherhood with James away at RAF Abingdon.”
Meanwhile, “Mrs Hall and Siegfried are enjoying having a little one around, and Carmody is now part of the furniture.”
“With World War II now fully underway, Siegfried is taking up the slack at the surgery, Mrs Hall and Helen are considering their contribution within the community, and Carmody is eager to step up.”
Episode 1 of series 5 will air at 9pm on Channel 5 and My5.
It’s set to be a dramatic one as the effects of World War II are felt by the Darrowby community.
In episode one, “Mrs Hall and Helen attend a community meeting about the local war effort. Siegfried is under pressure to keep the surgery going in James and Tristan’s absence and leans on Carmody for more help.”
Meanwhile, James is still away at RAF Abingdon preparing for an important flight training with his crew – but James is unexpectedly grounded.
James will then undergo a medical examination which reveals “some surprising and disappointing news.”
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He initially decides to stay the course at RAF training, but his “dismay only deepens when the flight he should have been piloting comes under enemy fire.”
Unable to fly, James is sent to do farm labour, but his job description quickly changes when a cow is having a difficult calving.
Ultimately, it proves to be just what James needed as he “is reinvigorated, remembering his purpose as a vet.”
The main cast will all be reprising their roles for the upcoming fifth season.
This includes Nicholas Ralph as vet James Herriot, Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon, Anna Madeley as Mrs Hall, Rachel Shenton as Helen Herriot, Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey, and series 4 newcomer James Anthony Rose as Richard Carmody.
Callum Woodhouse is also returning to the cast for series 5.
Callum, who plays beloved vet Triston Farnon, was absent from the show’s fourth season.
The character was missing because he was called up to serve in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
However, it has not been confirmed that he’ll be making his way back to Yorkshire soon.
Channel 5 confirmed Tristan will make an “unexpected return later in the series,” but it won’t be without some drama.
“Siegfried is keen to have everyone back, but Tristan’s surprise return won’t be quite as straightforward as he hoped,” the synopsis teases.
Series 5 of All Creatures Great and Small premieres on Thursday 19 September, with episodes airing weekly. Series 1-4 are available to stream on My5, with limited episodes also on Netflix.
