The fourth series of All Creatures Great and Small has started shooting in Yorkshire.
The award-winning drama has been a big hit for Channel 5 and PBS since its return, averaging 3.8m viewers and an 18% audience share in the UK.
Based on the collection of stories by James Herriot, the new season will be made up of 6 hour-long episodes, plus a Christmas special.
It picks up in 1940, as Churchill takes office and means there will be no Tristan Farnon, who will be away serving in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
However, Nicholas Ralph (Prey for the Devil, The Most Reluctant Convert)’s James Herriot will be joined by Neve McIntosh (Shetland) as “highly efficient bookkeeper” Miss Harbottle, and James Anthony-Rose (Slow Horses, Pennyworth) will be the “studious undergraduate vet student” Richard Carmody.
Reprising their roles are Rachel Shenton as Helen Herriot; Samuel West who plays Siegfried Farnon; Anna Madeley as Mrs Hall; and Patricia Hodge who plays Mrs Pumphrey.
“We are thrilled to be back in the glorious Yorkshire Dales for a fourth season of family, community and, of course, animal hijinks,” said Sir Colin Callender CBE, Executive Producer and CEO of Playground.
“Our wonderful cast and crew are all delighted to be returning to adapt more of James Herriot’s joyful and life-affirming stories.”
Executive Producer Ben Vanstone (A Gentleman in Moscow, The Last Kingdom) will write the Christmas special. Writer Jamie Crichton (Three Pines, Grantchester) also returns, this time as lead writer and Executive Producer. Joining them for series 4 are writers Maxine Alderton (Emmerdale Farm, Doctor Who) and Helen Raynor (A Discovery of Witches, Call the Midwife).
Andy Hay (The Last Kingdom, Jamestown) is Lead Director and will direct episodes 1 and 2. Stewart Svaasand (Tin Star, Death in Paradise) will direct episodes 3, 4 and 6, while BAFTA winner Jordan Hogg (Ralph and Katie, Screw) will direct episode 5 and the Christmas Special.
“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,” added Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+.
