All Creatures Great and Small fans, the wait is almost over! The superhit Channel 5 drama - AKA, the most comforting show on TV - is back with a sixth series and it's getting a bit of a refresh. Don't fear, (nearly) all the beloved cast we know and love will be back, but there are some exciting new cast additions too, including Waterloo Road's Philip Martin Brown, and not one but two Coronation Street icons: Chris Gascoyne and Lucy-Jo Hudson.
If you’re not familiar with the beloved drama, it’s a reboot of the (equally beloved) 1970s hit series - and it’s been brought back to life magnificently. The series follows rural vet James Herriot (played by Nicholas Ralph) as he navigates life in the Yorkshire Dales, from dealing with the local animals to its equally unpredictable humans, too. Series 6 promises not only new arrivals, but also some adjustments to the villagers’ lives now that World War II has ended.
With series 6 set to arrive on our screens this autumn, here’s everything you need to know about All Creatures Great and Small's return to our screens, including the cast, plot and how to watch it.
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What is All Creatures Great and Small about?
The popular, heartwarming Channel 5 series follows the escapades of rural vet James Herriot (played by Nicholas Ralph) in the late 1930s. It's based on a collection of cherished short stories by Alf Wight (who wrote about his own experiences as a vet under the pen name James Herriot) and is a reboot of the Channel 5 series that was broadcast between 1978 and 1990, with the renewed version first airing in 2020. The series is set in the Yorkshire Dales - in the fictional village of Darrowby, to be specific - and it makes full use of the picturesque setting.
When James takes up a job in Darrowby, he discovers the quirks and charms of rural veterinary life - and quickly discovers that animals aren’t his only problem. He becomes part of the Farnon household at the residential Skeldale House practice and has to navigate all of the chaos of his new position in Yorkshire.
What happened in All Creatures Great and Small series 5?
We won’t give away any big spoilers here - in case you’re yet to catch up - but series 5 opened in 1941, with the village adjusting to the strains of wartime life. We saw James away training with the RAF, and his wife Helen struggling with the demands of new motherhood and farm duties.
Veterinary newcomer Richard Carmody was thrown in at the deep end, handling animal emergencies and the always-demanding Siegfried. James returned to rediscover his love of farm work, and before long reaffirmed his place in the community. The series 5 finale saw Tristan being roped into helping Siegfried with his veterinary duties following the recent departure of Carmody.
What will happen in All Creatures Great and Small series 6?
Good news - we’re set for yet more heartwarming animal - and human - capers in the Yorkshire Dales. One of the main differences in series 6 is that the world looks slightly different now that World War II has drawn to an end. And get excited, because as well as having six parts, All Creatures Great and Small will return with a Christmas special, too!
According to Channel 5's official series 6 synopsis, “This time, we find our beloved Skeldale gang in a somewhat different situation as we join them in 1945, just as the war in Europe is coming to a close. We arrive back in Darrowby to veterinary advancements, expanded families, and new faces as they all look ahead to a brighter and more peaceful future.
It continues: "This series will see Herriot's wonderful characters navigating the opportunities that a new world brings, a host of animals great and small, and of course, each other.”
Who’s in the cast of All Creatures Great and Small series 6?
The following stars will join the cast of All Creatures Great and Small for series 6:
- Lucy-Jo Hudson (Hollyoaks, Wild at Heart)
- Gaia Wise (The Dead of Winter, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim)
- Jonathan Hyde (The Brutalist, Titanic)
- Philip Martin Brown (Waterloo Road, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy)
- Chris Gascoyne (The Feud, Patience)
The returning cast of All Creatures Great and Small includes:
- Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot
- Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon
- Anna Madeley as Mrs. Hall
- Rachel Shenton as Helen Herriot
- Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon
- Patricia Hodge as Mrs. Pumphrey
- Tony Pitts as Richard Alderson
- Imogen Clawson as Jenny
Is All Creatures Great and Small any good?
Yes - it’s a charming and heartwarming drama that’s perfect for when you want a cosy night in on the sofa. James Herriot’s books, which the series is based on, have sold over 60 million copies globally. We love its rolling Yorkshire Dales setting, and the warm, character-driven storylines. The ideal Sunday night entertainment, we say!
How can I watch All Creatures Great and Small series 6?
Channel 5 hasn’t announced a release date for All Creatures Great and Small series 6, but we do know that it will arrive on our screens this autumn. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll share it here. While you wait, you can catch up on series 1 to 5 on Channel 5.
