After soaring ratings for the second series on Channel 5 (airing in the States on PBS through to February), the newly beloved reboot of All Creatures Great And Small has been renewed for two more series. It’s been a breath of fresh Dales air to fans young and old throughout the pandemic, and it would seem that the showrunners know how sorely it is still needed. The third series is expected to air later in 2022, as has been typical for the previous ones, with series four presumably airing in 2023. Each series will be six episodes long with a Christmas special, much like the case previously.
All of the main cast should be reprising their roles, including Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot; Rachel Shenton as farmer and James’ fiancé, Helen Alderson; Anna Madeley as Mrs Hall; Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon; Callum Woodhouse as younger brother, Tristan, and Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey. Hopes are also high that Derek the Pekingese will return to play fan favourite, Tricki Woo.
As series two took place in 1938, with the Christmas special drawing that year to a close, it’s likely that the plot of the third series will in some way incorporate the outbreak of World War II, as well as James and Helen’s upcoming marriage. Alf Wight, the author of the semi-autobiographical James Herriot books, the same ones the show is based on, enlisted in the RAF in 1942 and stayed there until his discharge in 1943—this could also be the basis of more storylines to come. Other potential plots to be followed up are Tristan’s quest to become a qualified vet and the budding romances within the house.
The current series of the show can be caught up on Channel 5’s platform, My5, and the first series is also available to watch on PBS.
Words by Casey Langton
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