AMID ISOLATION AND DIVISION ALL CREATURES G
IT WAS the classic heart-warming TV show about the adventures of a vet in the Yorkshire Dales.
And as the remake of All Creatures Great And Small begins tonight, the cast and crew are hoping it might be just the programme to remind viewers about Britain at its best.
Set in the 1930s, with the country in economic downturn, those behind the show couldn’t help see parallels between then and now.
Executive producer Colin Callender says: “Even prior to Covid, I felt we were living in an immensely complicated and difficult time post-brexit – a country divided, politically torn apart.
“What I wanted was a show we could all watch together that could reaffirm the basic values of Britain at its best – community, care of others, family.
“All those great things I think we’ve sort of lost along the way.
“Those are the core values Creatures Great And Small.
“At a time when we’re all separated and have been living in lockdown, it’s a story about people coming together from of
All different backgrounds, different classes, different economic environments.
“I think the story couldn’t be more of the moment.”
The original ran for seven series on the BBC between 1978 and 1990 and starred Christopher Timothy as young vet James Herriot who is taken on by eccentric Siegfried Farnon, played by Robert Hardy.
Channel 5’s reboot features newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot, The Crown star Samuel West as Siegfried, The Durrells actor Callum Woodhouse as his brother Tristan (formerly played by Peter Davison), and Oscar-winner Rachel Shenton as farmer’s daughter and Heriott’s love interest Helen Anderson.
It is based on the books by Herriot – the pen name of vet Alf Wight (pictured right) who practised in Yorkshire for 50 years.
Fans of the original series will remember many scenes of actors sticking their hands up animals’ bottoms.
But with such practices not allowed these days, the c bum for the sta the scenes with feature real-life
Samuel says do anything t require medica trained for.”
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When real were involved often Nicholas close with them summoned up some of his o “I had some sc had to kick out stunt double d maybe give it a
“So I went i actually me the