Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Creatures comfort...
Feelgood drama to get second series
ALL Creatures Great and Small has been commissioned for a second series before the first even airs, with bosses calling it the perfect antidote to Brexit and cornovavirus.
The reboot of the 1980s Yorkshire vets drama is on for the first time tonight.
And Channel 5 chief Ben Frow said: “We will definitely do a second series.”
Executive producer Colin Callender said he first wanted to remake the feelgood show to help “heal a country torn apart” by Brexit, but the pandemic made it even better suited to the times.
He explained: “I felt – prior to Covid – we were living in an immensely difficult time, post-brexit.
“I wanted a show we could all watch together that could reaffirm the basic values that inform Britain at its best – community, care of others, family, all things I think we’ve sort of lost.
“Who could have guessed that when we would launch the series we would be in a world where those issues were more real than ever? The story couldn’t be more of the moment.”
Frow agreed, saying: “It taps into a simpler time and the quest for a simpler life is huge.” Samuel West, who plays lead vet Sieg fried Farnon, said it would be “wonderful” to do a second run.
The Crown actor added: “I’m really pleased we’re in a British series that isn’t about really rich people.
“I loved being in The Crown, but I think it’s not the zeitgeist now.
“We’re living smaller, more carefully, more in harmony with nature.”
West is joined by newcomer Nick Ralph, as James Herriot, and The Durrells’ Callum Woodhouse, as Siegfried’s brother Tristan.
Ex-hollyoaks star Rachel Shenton is farmer’s daughter Helen Alderson and Anna Madeley is housekeeper Mrs Hall.
Callender said despite its retro roots and reborn original characters the show looks very different to the classic BBC version.
He said: “One of the starring characters is the Yorkshire Dales and, with new technology and drones, I felt we would bring this world to life in a way that hadn’t been seen.”
Series two is due to go into production in the New Year.
All Creatures Great and Small , Channel 5, tonight, 9pm.
I wanted a show that reaffirmed the best of British values COLIN CALLENDER ON WHY HE MADE THE SHOW