Channel 5 confirm series four cast for All Creatures Great and Small

Channel 5 have revealed the final casting of drama All Creatures Great and Small as it gears up for its fourth series.

Based on the cherished collection of stories by best-selling author James Herriot, the critically acclaimed adaptation returns to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales for a fourth season of timeless and heart-warming stories, picking up in 1940 as Churchill takes office and Europe is under serious threat. The six new episodes (6 x 60”), plus a Christmas Special, will air on Channel 5 in the autumn. In the US, MASTERPIECE on PBS will air season four early in 2024.

Series four sees Nicholas Ralph (Prey for the Devil, The Most Reluctant Convert) reprise his role as young country vet James Herriot, now happily married to Helen Herriot, played by Rachel Shenton (White Gold, For Her Sins). Samuel West (Slow Horses, Small Axe) returns as James’ capricious and erratic mentor Siegfried Farnon while Anna Madeley (Time, Patrick Melrose) continues as Mrs Hall, matriarch of Skeldale House. Patricia Hodge (Miranda, A Very English Scandal) also reprises her role as the wonderfully eccentric Mrs Pumphrey, alongside her adored pampered Pekingese Tricki.

With Tristan away serving in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Siegfried and James bring in some extra hands to help around the practice. Neve McIntosh (Shetland) joins the cast as highly efficient bookkeeper Miss Harbottle, alongside James Anthony-Rose (Slow Horses, Pennyworth) as studious undergraduate vet student Richard Carmody who arrives at Skeldale as part of his placement under the guidance of James.

A colourful ensemble of farmers, animals and townsfolk living in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1940s will also star, including Tony Pitts (Jamestown), Imogen Clawson, Paul Copley (Downton Abbey), Cleo Sylvestre MBE (Crossroads), James Bolam MBE (New Tricks), Will Thorp (Doctor Who) and Sam Retford (Coronation Street).

Series three aired in 2023, averaging a huge 3.8 million viewers, and an impressive 18% share, making Channel 5 the most popular terrestrial channel during that slot while All Creatures Great and Small was on air.

Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+:

“All Creatures Great and Small is one of the highlights of our year and we are eager to return to the glorious Yorkshire Dales this autumn. We can’t wait to welcome some new additions to our stellar cast for series 4.”

All Creatures Great and Small is a timeless classic that continues to be much loved by generations. Never out of print, the books have sold 60 million copies internationally becoming a global cultural phenomenon with devoted fans around the world.

With a sharp focus on community and its importance in our lives, Herriot’s world and spirit is a very much needed antidote to the challenges of modernity and reminds us all that belonging to a community makes us part of something greater than ourselves. All Creatures Great and Small is currently filming on location in Yorkshire.