‘All Creatures Great and Small’ preview: First look at Season 4
Channel 5 has released a set of images from the next season of All Creatures Great and Small!
A fourth run of Channel 5’s popular period drama completed filming in Yorkshire in July.
The six brand new episodes are set to premiere in the UK next month, then in the US in early 2024.
Based on author James Herriot’s much-loved collection of stories, All Creatures Great and Small follows the heartwarming and humorous adventures of a young country vet in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1930s.
The series has been a huge success since it launched in 2020, with Season 3 averaging 3.8 million viewers and an 18% share in the UK last autumn.
Here’s a sneak peek at Season 4:
“Returning to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, the fourth series of All Creatures Great and Small continues with timeless tales and heart-warming stories, picking up in springtime of 1940 with change on the horizon for everyone in Skeldale House,” the official synopsis tells us.
“James and Helen wonder when the right time might be to start a family, not knowing whether or not James will be called up to serve in the RAF.
“Tristan’s absence is felt by all, but no one more than Siegfried who attempts to hold the growing household, and himself, together as he braves this new world.”
The synopsis for Season 4 continues: “Mrs Hall and Helen’s friendship blossoms as they look to the future and new trainee veterinary student Richard Carmody arrives, causing complications in the house.
“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) has joined the cast as “highly efficient bookkeeper” Miss Harbottle.
And we’ve got a first look at James Anthony-Rose (Slow Horses, Pennyworth) as the “studious but somewhat unworldly undergraduate veterinary student” Richard Carmody here:
The new characters aren’t the only change coming, as production on Season 4 has also seen a shake-up behind the scenes!
Reprising their roles are main cast members Nicholas Ralph (The Most Reluctant Convert) as young country vet James Herriot, and Rachel Shenton (White Gold, For Her Sins) as his wife, Helen.
Samuel West (Slow Horses, Small Axe) is back as James’ capricious and erratic mentor Siegfried Farnon, alongside Anna Madeley (Time, Patrick Melrose) as Mrs Hall, the beloved matriarch of Skeldale House.
Also returning is Will Thorp (Doctor Who, Silent Witness) as Mrs. Hall’s handsome suitor, Gerald Hammond.
And Patricia Hodge (Miranda, A Very English Scandal) as the wonderfully eccentric Mrs Pumphrey – accompanied by her much-adored pampered Pekingese Tricki, of course.
We’re also promised the usual “colourful ensemble of farmers, animals and townsfolk” too!
Fans shared their joy on the show’s official Facebook page, with one commenting “I cannot wait, this is just the most lovely series on TVright now.”
“Just what I need as the nights draw in,” said another, while one fan wrote: “Looking forward to it with the fire blazing, nice tea on the tray, and the curtains drawn.”
It was recently announced that the producers of All Creatures Great and Small are also making a brand new period drama series for Channel 5.
Chronicling the sweeping rags to riches story of a working class family in 1890s Yorkshire, The Hardacres will be based on CL Skelton’s best-selling The Hardacre Saga novels.
All Creatures Great and Small is available to watch on PBS Masterpiece via Amazon Prime with a free 7-day trial.