‘All Creatures Great and Small’ reveals Christmas 2022 special release date and pics

It’s been announced when All Creatures Great and Small returns to our screens!

Based on author James Herriot’s much-loved collection of stories, the cosy period drama is back later this month.

Watch the trailer here:

Channel 5’s series follows the heartwarming and humorous adventures of a young country vet in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1930s.

The show’s third festive special will follow on from the events of Season 3’s emotional finale, which aired in October.

Executive producer Melissa Gallant commented: “We are delighted to be offering the audience one more trip back to the sanctuary of Darrowby before the year is out.

“An All Creatures Christmas special always aims to deliver uplifting celebration alongside the often painful reality of Christmas for many, and this year’s episode is no exception.”

We’ve got a sneak peek at Christmas dinner at Skeldale House here:

All the main cast are expected to reprise their roles in the episode, which will be set in 1939, with the world at war.

When does the Christmas special air?

It’s now been officially confirmed that 2022’s festive instalment will premiere in the UK at 9pm on Friday 23rd December on Channel 5.

The episode will be titled ‘Merry Bloody Christmas’ (we’re all hearing that in Tristan’s voice, right?!)

Watch a clip here:

American fans will have a little longer to wait, as Season 3 doesn’t begin airing in the US until January.

‘Merry Bloody Christmas’ will air in the US on Sunday 19th February 2023 on PBS, so we reckon that’s a valid excuse to keep your decorations up until then!

Here are some more new pics to get us feeling Christmassy:

Hinting at what to expect, Gallant revealed: “Set in December 1939, this is our first Christmas during wartime and we wanted to reflect something of the reality of war for our Skeldale family.

“[Writer] Ben Vanstone cooks up his signature Christmas feast full of fun, festivity, community, romance, Father Christmas, tears, and of course a resurgence of Mrs Hall’s excellent sausage rolls.

“We have all laughed and cried – a lot – making it and hope it will bring a little necessary joy and catharsis to the end of a challenging year for many.”

The All Creatures Great and Small cast will begin filming the next season in Yorkshire early next spring.

Season 4 will most likely premiere in the UK on Channel 5 in September 2023, and in the US on PBS in January 2024.

In the meantime, Rachel Shenton is busy shooting a brand new psychological thriller series for Channel 5!

Under her Skin sees the Helen actress co-starring alongside Jo Joyner from Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators.

All Creatures Great and Small is available on DVD on Amazon.