All Creatures Great and Small (TV serial)
Encyclopedia
All Creatures Great and Small is a popular British television series, based on the books of the British veterinary surgeon
Alf Wight, who wrote under the pseudonym James Herriot
.
tasked producer Bill Sellars
with the creation of a television series from Herriot's first two novels, If Only They Could Talk and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet, using the title of the 1975 film adaptation All Creatures Great and Small
. Filming began in the autumn of 1977.
, after Simon Ward
(who had played the part in the 1975 film), John Alderton
(who had replaced Ward in the sequel, It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet
) and Richard Beckinsale
all turned it down. Siegfried Farnon was played by Robert Hardy
. Tristan was played by Peter Davison
. Helen was played by Carol Drinkwater
in the first three series and two specials, then by Lynda Bellingham
in the final four series. Mary Hignett
played housekeeper Mrs Hall in the first three series, and Margaretta Scott
appeared as the recurring aristocratic dog-owner Mrs Pumphrey.
With the amount of screen time to fill, the series quickly became much more of an ensemble show, developing all the characters considerably. In particular, the role of Tristan was significantly increased. This was partly because Christopher Timothy was injured in a car accident
part-way through the first series and was, as a result, restricted to studio scenes, which required that all the scenes involving location filming be rewritten and given to Davison.
The programme initially ran for three series, with each episode adapting one or two of the Herriot stories – usually a story thread centered around James, and a second centered around Siegfried or Tristan. The continuity of the show followed the general arc of the books: James' arrival at Darrowby, his growing experience as a vet, his humorous attempts at romance with Helen, and their eventual marriage. The programme ended in 1980 at the stage where the characters were drawn into the Second World War
. This completed the adaptation of all the novels which Alf Wight had written up to that point. Two 90-minute Christmas specials were subsequently made, in 1983 and 1985, set after the war.
In 1988, the programme was revived, after the BBC was able to persuade Alf Wight to allow new scripts to be written around the existing characters, but not directly based on the Herriot books. The revived series was one of the first co-production
s of the BBC (a practice that has since become commonplace), made in partnership with A&E
and ABC (Australia)
.
The revival ran for four more series, taking the characters into the early 1950s. Lynda Bellingham
took over the role of Helen (following Carol Drinkwater's decision not to continue in the part, as a result of the ending of a real-life romance with Christopher Timothy), and Judy Wilson briefly played a new housekeeper, Mrs Greenlaw, as Mary Hignett had died shortly after the end of the third series. The Darrowby practice added a young Scottish vet, Calum Buchanan (John McGlynn
), based upon Herriot's real-life assistant Brian Nettleton. Buchanan was a former classmate of Tristan's, and had a particular fondness for wildlife. The Herriot children, who had been introduced in the two specials, became recurring characters, with Jimmy played by Oliver Wilson and Rosie by Rebecca Smith.
The revived series gradually became more based around the development of the central characters — particularly after the introduction of Calum and Deirdre, with their romance and subsequent marriage — and it mainly centred upon the activities inside Skeldale House at Darrowby, rather than being a series about a veterinary practice. For the final series, all of the new characters were dropped (including Calum, Deirdre, Mrs Greenlaw and the Herriot children), and the series returned to its 1970s roots, focusing once more on the animals. The final broadcast was another Christmas special, in 1990.
In 2007, an unfilmed script by the show's script editor Johnny Byrne was recovered and presented to the BBC as a possible Christmas reunion episode, but the BBC did not commission it. Peter Davison joked, "Maybe they just thought we were too decrepit, I don't know!"
On 26 July 2010, the BBC announced that a three-episode prequel, entitled Young James, which was about James Herriot in his early days at University, would be made and broadcast in 2011. On 2 July 2011, it was announced that Iain de Caestecker, known for his role as Adam Barlow in Coronation Street
, would play the main role of James Herriot. Co-stars include Amy Manson
and Tony Curran
.
, with some scenes shot at Bolton Castle
and in the village of Askrigg
, which doubled for the fictional Darrowby. Parts of the beginning title sequence — in particular, the car passing through the ford — were shot on an unnamed road between Feetham
in Swaledale
and Langthwaite
in Arkengarthdale
. Indoor scenes were shot at the BBC's Pebble Mill
studios in Birmingham
.
The Kings Arms Hotel, which became the Drover's Arms during filming, features photographs on its interior walls of the cast drinking at the establishment during downtime.
For the first three series, up until the two Christmas specials of 1983 and 1985, most interior scenes were recorded on video and edited together with filmed exterior shots, as was common practice in British television at the time.
The original set of the interior of the Skeldale House surgery is now located at the Richmondshire Museum
in Richmond, North Yorkshire
, and is open to the public. Other extensive parts, including the living room and the dispensary
(see picture, right) are on display at the James Herriot Museum in Thirsk
, which is also open to the public.
.
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
Alf Wight, who wrote under the pseudonym James Herriot
James Herriot
James Herriot was the pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS also known as Alf Wight , an English veterinary surgeon and writer, who used his many years of experiences as a veterinarian to write a series of books of stories about animals and their owners...
.
Background
In 1977, the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
tasked producer Bill Sellars
Bill Sellars
William Sellars is a British television producer, most active from the 1960s to the 1980s. His entire career was spent working on projects for the British Broadcasting Corporation. Of these, All Creatures Great and Small, which he produced for its entire run, was the biggest success...
with the creation of a television series from Herriot's first two novels, If Only They Could Talk and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet, using the title of the 1975 film adaptation All Creatures Great and Small
All Creatures Great and Small (film)
All Creatures Great and Small is a 1975 television film, directed by Claude Whatham, based on the book All Creatures Great and Small, by James Herriot. The book is a compilation volume, first published in 1972, comprising Herriot's first two novels, If Only They Could Talk and It Shouldn't Happen...
. Filming began in the autumn of 1977.
Cast
The leading role was taken by actor Christopher TimothyChristopher Timothy
Christopher Timothy is a Welsh actor, television director and writer. Timothy is possibly best known today for his role as James Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small; more recently he has starred as Dr. Brendan 'Mac' McGuire in the British television drama Doctors...
, after Simon Ward
Simon Ward
Simon Ward is an English stage and film actor.-Early life:Simon Ward was born in Beckenham, Kent, near London, the son of a car dealer. From an early age he wanted to be an actor. He was educated at Alleyn's School, London, the home of the National Youth Theatre, which he joined at age 13 and...
(who had played the part in the 1975 film), John Alderton
John Alderton
John Alderton is an English actor who is best known for his roles in Upstairs, Downstairs, Thomas & Sarah and Please Sir!. Alderton has often starred alongside his wife, Pauline Collins.-Early life:...
(who had replaced Ward in the sequel, It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (film)
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet , was a sequel to the 1975 film All Creatures Great and Small....
) and Richard Beckinsale
Richard Beckinsale
Richard Arthur Beckinsale was an English actor, best known for his roles as Lennie Godber in the popular BBC sitcom Porridge and Alan Moore in the British sitcom Rising Damp....
all turned it down. Siegfried Farnon was played by Robert Hardy
Robert Hardy
Timothy Sydney Robert Hardy, CBE, FSA is an English actor with a long career in the theatre, film and television. He is also an acknowledged expert on the longbow.-Early life:...
. Tristan was played by Peter Davison
Peter Davison
Peter Davison is a British actor, best known for his roles as Tristan Farnon in the television version of James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small and the fifth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who, which he played from 1982 to 1984.-Early life:Davison was born Peter Moffett in Streatham,...
. Helen was played by Carol Drinkwater
Carol Drinkwater
Carol Drinkwater is an Anglo-Irish actress and author, best known for her award-winning portrayal of Helen Herriot in the television adaptation of the James Herriot books, All Creatures Great and Small...
in the first three series and two specials, then by Lynda Bellingham
Lynda Bellingham
Lynda Bellingham is a Canadian-born English actress, broadcaster and author, who is known for her distinctive husky voice.-Early life:...
in the final four series. Mary Hignett
Mary Hignett
Mary Hignett was a British actress best known for her role as Mrs Edna Hall in the television series All Creatures Great and Small. She played the role of Hall, the cook and housekeeper, in the first three series which ran from 1978–1980; she died shortly after the third series was filmed...
played housekeeper Mrs Hall in the first three series, and Margaretta Scott
Margaretta Scott
Margaretta Scott was an English stage, screen and television actress whose career spanned over seventy years. She is best remembered for playing the eccentric widow Mrs...
appeared as the recurring aristocratic dog-owner Mrs Pumphrey.
With the amount of screen time to fill, the series quickly became much more of an ensemble show, developing all the characters considerably. In particular, the role of Tristan was significantly increased. This was partly because Christopher Timothy was injured in a car accident
Car accident
A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...
part-way through the first series and was, as a result, restricted to studio scenes, which required that all the scenes involving location filming be rewritten and given to Davison.
- James Herriot — Christopher Timothy
- Siegfried Farnon — Robert Hardy
- Tristan Farnon — Peter Davison (series 1-5,6,7)
- Helen Herriot — Carol DrinkwaterCarol DrinkwaterCarol Drinkwater is an Anglo-Irish actress and author, best known for her award-winning portrayal of Helen Herriot in the television adaptation of the James Herriot books, All Creatures Great and Small...
(series 1-3 and specials) and Lynda BellinghamLynda BellinghamLynda Bellingham is a Canadian-born English actress, broadcaster and author, who is known for her distinctive husky voice.-Early life:...
(series 4-7) - Calum Buchanan — John McGlynnJohn McGlynn (actor)John McGlynn is a Scottish actor. His most notable role was that of vet Calum Buchanan in the British television series All Creatures Great and Small between January 1988 and September 1989....
(series 4-6) - Mrs Edna Hall — Mary Hignett (series 1-3)
- Mrs Greenlaw — Judy Wilson (series 4-5)
- Mrs Pumphrey — Margaretta Scott (recurring)
- Mrs Alton — Jean HeywoodJean HeywoodJean Heywood is a British actress, appearing in films such as Billy Elliot and Our Day Out as well as TV series When the Boat Comes In, All Creatures Great and Small, Boys from the Blackstuff, Family Affairs, The Bill and Casualty.In 2010, Heywood made a guest appearance in the ITV series Married...
(series 7) - Hodgekin — Teddy TurnerTeddy TurnerTeddy Turner was a Yorkshire-born English actor and comedian who shot to fame as dustbin man, Chalky Whiteley in the top rated ITV1 soap opera, Coronation Street. In the late 1970s he played the part of Mrs...
(recurring) - Jimmy Herriot — Harry Brayne (1983 special) and Oliver Wilson (1985 special - series 5) and Paul Lyon (series 7)
- Rosie Herriot — Rebecca Smith (1985 special - series 5) and Alison Lewis (series 7)
History
The Herriot "novels" are written in a very episodic manner, with each chapter generally containing a short story within the ongoing narrative of Herriot's life. This format made the creation of a television series a natural adaptation.The programme initially ran for three series, with each episode adapting one or two of the Herriot stories – usually a story thread centered around James, and a second centered around Siegfried or Tristan. The continuity of the show followed the general arc of the books: James' arrival at Darrowby, his growing experience as a vet, his humorous attempts at romance with Helen, and their eventual marriage. The programme ended in 1980 at the stage where the characters were drawn into the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. This completed the adaptation of all the novels which Alf Wight had written up to that point. Two 90-minute Christmas specials were subsequently made, in 1983 and 1985, set after the war.
In 1988, the programme was revived, after the BBC was able to persuade Alf Wight to allow new scripts to be written around the existing characters, but not directly based on the Herriot books. The revived series was one of the first co-production
International co-production
An international co-production is a production where two or more different production companies are working together, for example in a film production...
s of the BBC (a practice that has since become commonplace), made in partnership with A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
and ABC (Australia)
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
.
The revival ran for four more series, taking the characters into the early 1950s. Lynda Bellingham
Lynda Bellingham
Lynda Bellingham is a Canadian-born English actress, broadcaster and author, who is known for her distinctive husky voice.-Early life:...
took over the role of Helen (following Carol Drinkwater's decision not to continue in the part, as a result of the ending of a real-life romance with Christopher Timothy), and Judy Wilson briefly played a new housekeeper, Mrs Greenlaw, as Mary Hignett had died shortly after the end of the third series. The Darrowby practice added a young Scottish vet, Calum Buchanan (John McGlynn
John McGlynn (actor)
John McGlynn is a Scottish actor. His most notable role was that of vet Calum Buchanan in the British television series All Creatures Great and Small between January 1988 and September 1989....
), based upon Herriot's real-life assistant Brian Nettleton. Buchanan was a former classmate of Tristan's, and had a particular fondness for wildlife. The Herriot children, who had been introduced in the two specials, became recurring characters, with Jimmy played by Oliver Wilson and Rosie by Rebecca Smith.
The revived series gradually became more based around the development of the central characters — particularly after the introduction of Calum and Deirdre, with their romance and subsequent marriage — and it mainly centred upon the activities inside Skeldale House at Darrowby, rather than being a series about a veterinary practice. For the final series, all of the new characters were dropped (including Calum, Deirdre, Mrs Greenlaw and the Herriot children), and the series returned to its 1970s roots, focusing once more on the animals. The final broadcast was another Christmas special, in 1990.
In 2007, an unfilmed script by the show's script editor Johnny Byrne was recovered and presented to the BBC as a possible Christmas reunion episode, but the BBC did not commission it. Peter Davison joked, "Maybe they just thought we were too decrepit, I don't know!"
On 26 July 2010, the BBC announced that a three-episode prequel, entitled Young James, which was about James Herriot in his early days at University, would be made and broadcast in 2011. On 2 July 2011, it was announced that Iain de Caestecker, known for his role as Adam Barlow in Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
, would play the main role of James Herriot. Co-stars include Amy Manson
Amy Manson
Amy Manson is a Scottish actress, known for portraying Alice Guppy in Torchwood, Abby Evans in Casualty, Lizzie Siddal in Desperate Romantics and Daisy Hannigan-Spiteri in Being Human.-Background:...
and Tony Curran
Tony Curran
Anthony "Tony" Curran is a Scottish actor.Curran was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He is an alumnus of Holyrood Secondary School and is a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama....
.
Locations
The programme was filmed in North YorkshireNorth Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, with some scenes shot at Bolton Castle
Bolton Castle
Bolton Castle in North Yorkshire, is located in Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales . The nearby village Castle Bolton takes its name from the castle. The castle is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The castle was damaged in the English Civil War, but much of it remains...
and in the village of Askrigg
Askrigg
Askrigg is a small village and civil parish in Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is part of the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England...
, which doubled for the fictional Darrowby. Parts of the beginning title sequence — in particular, the car passing through the ford — were shot on an unnamed road between Feetham
Feetham
Feetham is a hamlet in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, England opposite Low Row....
in Swaledale
Swaledale
Swaledale is one of the northernmost dales in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in northern England. It is the dale of the River Swale on the east side of the Pennines in North Yorkshire.-Geographical overview:...
and Langthwaite
Langthwaite
Langthwaite is one of the few villages in Arkengarthdale, North Yorkshire, England. It is probably classed as the main settlement in the dale. It is one of the most northerly settlements in the whole of Yorkshire Dales National Park...
in Arkengarthdale
Arkengarthdale
Arkengarthdale is a dale, or valley, on the east side of the Pennines in North Yorkshire, England. Running roughly northwest–southeast, it is the valley of the Arkle Beck, and is the northernmost of the Yorkshire Dales...
. Indoor scenes were shot at the BBC's Pebble Mill
Pebble Mill Studios
The BBC 's Pebble Mill Studios were located in Edgbaston, a suburb of Birmingham, England. The views from the roof overlooked Cannon Hill Park, a nature centre, as well as Birmingham's city centre...
studios in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
.
The Kings Arms Hotel, which became the Drover's Arms during filming, features photographs on its interior walls of the cast drinking at the establishment during downtime.
For the first three series, up until the two Christmas specials of 1983 and 1985, most interior scenes were recorded on video and edited together with filmed exterior shots, as was common practice in British television at the time.
The original set of the interior of the Skeldale House surgery is now located at the Richmondshire Museum
Richmondshire Museum
The Richmondshire Museum is a museum located in Richmond in North Yorkshire, England.The Museum Trust was founded in 1974 by the Soroptimists of Richmond and the Dales; the Museum opened in 1978 in a former joiner's workshop, and has expanded its collections ever since.The Museum incorporates a...
in Richmond, North Yorkshire
Richmond, North Yorkshire
Richmond is a market town and civil parish on the River Swale in North Yorkshire, England and is the administrative centre of the district of Richmondshire. It is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and serves as the Park's main tourist centre...
, and is open to the public. Other extensive parts, including the living room and the dispensary
Dispensary
A dispensary is an office in a school, hospital or other organization that dispenses medications and medical supplies. In a traditional dispensary set-up a pharmacist dispenses medication as per prescription or order form....
(see picture, right) are on display at the James Herriot Museum in Thirsk
Thirsk
Thirsk is a small market town and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. The local travel links are located a mile from the town centre to Thirsk railway station and to Durham Tees Valley Airport...
, which is also open to the public.
Theme
The theme tune "Piano Parchment", and the incidental music used in the show, was written by Johnny PearsonJohnny Pearson
John Valmore Pearson known as Johnny Pearson, was a British composer, orchestra leader and pianist...
.
DVD releases
All seven series and two Christmas Specials have been released on DVD in Region 1 and Region 2.| DVD Title | No. of Disks | Year | No. of Ep. | DVD release | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 DVD region code DVD region codes are a digital-rights management technique designed to allow film distributors to control aspects of a release, including content, release date, and price, according to the region... |
Region 2 DVD region code DVD region codes are a digital-rights management technique designed to allow film distributors to control aspects of a release, including content, release date, and price, according to the region... |
||||||
| Series 1 | 4 | 1978 | 13 | 14 May 2002 | N/A | ||
| Series 1, Volume 1 | 3 | 1978 | 6 | N/A | 7 April 2003 | ||
| Series 1, Volume 2 | 3 | 1978 | 7 | N/A | 5 May 2003 | ||
| Series 2 | 4 | 1978 | 14 | 15 October 2002 | N/A | ||
| Series 2, Volume 1 | 3 | 1978 | 7 | N/A | 7 July 2003 | ||
| Series 2, Volume 2 | 3 | 1978 | 7 | N/A | 15 September 2003 | ||
| Series 3 | 4 | 1979 - 1980 | 14 | 16 September 2003 | 23 October 2006 | ||
| Series 4 | 3 | 1988 | 10 | 14 September 2004 | 26 December 2006 | ||
| Series 5 | 4 | 1988 | 12 | 19 July 2005 | 3 March 2008 | ||
| Series 6 | 4 | 1989 | 12 | 25 July 2006 | 18 August 2008 | ||
| Series 7 | 4 | 1990 | 13 | 14 August 2007 | 26 December 2008 | ||
| Christmas Specials | 2 | 1983 and 1985 | 2 | 16 September 2003 | 20 October 2008 | ||
| Complete Collection | 33 | 1978 - 1990 | 90 | 15 January 2008 | 9 November 2009 | ||