If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through endless "gritty" dramas where everyone is miserable and the lighting is too dark to see the actors' faces, you aren't alone. Sometimes, you just want to see a man in a flat cap try to convince a stubborn cow to stand up while the sun sets over a lime-green valley. That is basically the pitch for the All Creatures Great and Small TV series, and honestly, it’s a miracle it works as well as it does.
It's cozy. It's gentle.
But it isn't boring. There is a specific kind of tension in wondering if a prize bull will survive the night or if James Herriot will finally muster the courage to talk to Helen Alderson without tripping over a bucket. The show, which first hit screens in 2020 as a Channel 5 and PBS Masterpiece co-production, has become a massive global hit. It’s the kind of TV that feels like a warm hug, yet it manages to avoid being saccharine.
What the All Creatures Great and Small TV Series Gets Right
Most people coming to this show for the first time might not realize it’s actually the second major adaptation of the books by Alf Wight, who wrote under the pen name James Herriot. The original BBC series from the late 1970s was a staple of British life for over a decade. Stepping into those shoes was a massive risk.
How do you replace Robert Hardy’s legendary, bombastic performance as Siegfried Farnon?
Samuel West managed it by finding the vulnerability beneath Siegfried’s eccentric, often infuriating exterior. In this version, Siegfried isn't just a loud-mouthed boss; he’s a man carrying the weight of the world and a lot of hidden grief. Then you have Nicholas Ralph, who made his television debut as James. Unlike the previous version, Ralph kept his native Scottish accent, which is actually more factually accurate to the real Alf Wight.
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The breakout star for many, though, isn't even human. It’s Tricki Woo. The pampered Pekingese, owned by the delightfully wealthy Mrs. Pumphrey (played first by the late Diana Rigg and later by Patricia Hodge), is a masterclass in animal acting.
Why the 2020 Version Feels Different
One of the biggest shifts in this newer All Creatures Great and Small TV series is the role of Mrs. Hall. In the books and the original show, she was a somewhat peripheral figure—the housekeeper who kept the tea hot and the floors clean. Anna Madeley’s Audrey Hall is the beating heart of Skeldale House. She’s the glue. She has her own complex backstories, a strained relationship with her son, and a slow-burn connection with Siegfried that has fans "shipping" them across the internet.
The pacing is also modernized. We get season-long arcs instead of just "case of the week" stories. We see the looming shadow of World War II, which adds a layer of bittersweet reality to the pastoral bliss.
Exploring the Real Darrowby (and Where to Find It)
If you watch the show and think, "There is no way a place actually looks that beautiful," you're wrong. It does. The series is filmed on location in the Yorkshire Dales, primarily in the village of Grassington.
Grassington doubles for the fictional Darrowby. If you visit today, you can actually walk past the exterior of Skeldale House or grab a pint at the Devonshire Arms, which serves as the exterior of the Drovers Arms.
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Key Filming Locations
- Grassington: The main town square where the iconic vintage cars and storefronts are filmed.
- Broughton Hall: The stunning Georgian estate that serves as Mrs. Pumphrey’s home.
- The Green Dragon Inn: Located in Hardraw, this pub provides the cozy, wood-beamed interiors for the Drovers Arms.
- Oakworth Railway Station: This heritage station was used for those emotional "returning from war" or "heading to the city" moments.
It’s worth noting that the real James Herriot practiced in Thirsk, not Grassington. Thirsk is much flatter and less "dramatically hilly" than the Dales, which is why the production moved into the heart of the national park. The scenery is effectively a character in itself.
Fact vs. Fiction: The Real James Herriot
While the show feels incredibly authentic, it does take some liberties with the source material. For starters, the real Helen wasn't a farmer’s daughter; she was a secretary named Joan Danbury.
And Siegfried? The real-life inspiration, Donald Sinclair, was reportedly much more "difficult" than the TV version. He actually disliked the books, claiming they were a gross exaggeration of his personality. His brother, Brian (the real Tristan), on the other hand, loved them and leaned into the fame.
The All Creatures Great and Small TV series also handles the "muck" of veterinary work with a bit more gloss than the books. Alf Wight’s writing was often quite visceral about the realities of 1930s farming—the dirt, the smell, and the frequent tragedy of losing an animal that a family relied on for their entire livelihood. The show keeps that emotional stakes but definitely makes the barns look a little cleaner.
What’s Next for the Skeldale Family?
As of early 2026, the series shows no signs of slowing down. Season 6 has just premiered in the US on PBS Masterpiece, picking up in 1945 as the war in Europe draws to a close. We’re seeing a "New Era" for the practice.
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James and Helen are now parents to little Jimmy and baby Rosie. Tristan is back from his service in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, trying to find his feet in a world that has changed without him. There's also the constant question of whether Siegfried and Mrs. Hall will finally acknowledge what everyone else already knows.
The good news for fans is that the show has already been renewed for Seasons 7 and 8. This means we have at least two more years of calving seasons, Christmas specials, and Tricki Woo's "flop-bott" to look forward to.
How to Catch Up
If you're late to the party, you've got some binging to do.
- Seasons 1-5 are currently streaming on PBS Passport and the Masterpiece channel on Amazon Prime.
- Season 6 is airing weekly as of January 2026.
- The Christmas Specials are essential viewing—they aren't just "extra" episodes; they usually contain the biggest plot developments (like weddings and births).
To get the most out of the All Creatures Great and Small TV series, try watching it without your phone in your hand. The show is designed for "slow TV" enjoyment. Pay attention to the sound design—the bleating of sheep in the distance, the ticking of the clock in the Skeldale hallway.
If you've already finished the show and are feeling that post-binge void, pick up the original books. If Only They Could Talk is the first one. They provide a much deeper, often funnier look at the inner thoughts of James Herriot that even the best TV adaptation can't quite capture. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, book a weekend in Grassington. Just don't expect the vets there to be as handsome as Nicholas Ralph.