The 'rare' period drama on Channel 5 has been dubbed as an 'excellent series for all ages', with viewers saying it's like Call the Midwife — but better.
All Creatures Great and Small: A Feel-Good Hit
If you're drawn to period dramas centred on the medical world - and you're finding it difficult to discover another series exploring similar territory beyond Call the Midwife - you're in luck, as we've found the perfect programme for you. Aptly described as 'one of the best feel-good shows in a long time', this medical period drama soothes the soul, and audiences cannot stop singing its praises.
The British period drama is set in Northern England during the 1930s and 1940s, transporting viewers on a delightful journey from the very beginning. All Creatures Great and Small, available to stream without charge on Channel 5, draws from Alf Wight's (writing under the pseudonym James Herriot) collection of books set in the Yorkshire Dales, chronicling a veterinary surgeon and his encounters with the local community and creatures around him.
A Beloved Adaptation
A highly acclaimed BBC television adaptation, based on the same collection of novels, originally aired between 1978 and 1990, with audiences believing it couldn't be bettered. Then Channel 5's latest adaptation arrived, premiering on 1 September 2020, captivating viewers everywhere. Shot on location in the Yorkshire Dales and supported by Screen Yorkshire funding, Channel 5's adaptation has touched the hearts of audiences across the globe. The programme currently boasts six series containing seven episodes apiece, and secured renewal for a seventh and eighth series in November 2025.
The programme's ensemble - Samuel West, Anna Madeley, Nicholas Ralph, Callum Woodhouse, Rachel Shenton, Diana Rigg, Patricia Hodge and James Anthony-Rose - has received widespread acclaim for their outstanding portrayals. To ensure believability, the cast underwent training in fundamental veterinary techniques from an on-set adviser. Nicholas Ralph revealed to Vulture in a 2021 interview: 'Straight off the bat with our on-set vet adviser Andy Barrett, we were up close and personal with horses, sheep, kind of going through the procedures and things that we would be doing. Learning how to approach the animal and everything like that. Using the stethoscope on the cow's heart, then lungs, then stomach.'
Critical and Audience Acclaim
The programme's official synopsis reads: 'This series chronicles the heartwarming and humorous adventures of James, a young country vet who lives and works in Yorkshire in the late 1930s. The show revolves around a trio of veterinary surgeons, including Siegfried Farnon, who hires James into his veterinary practice at Skeldale House. Besides Siegfried and James, there is Siegfried's younger brother, Tristan, and Mrs. Hall, their housekeeper.' Boasting a remarkable 99% average rating on Rotten Tomatoes across all 6 seasons, All Creatures Great and Small has attracted glowing reviews throughout its run.
One reviewer drew parallels with Call the Midwife: 'Issues are tackled - rural poverty, loneliness, the position of women in society - but with a light touch and genuine feeling. All Creatures - it's Call the Midwife with added animals. No higher compliment could be paid.' Meanwhile, another critic believed it warranted greater recognition: 'A criminally underrated show. Everything from the casting to the production values to the writing is wonderful.' A further reviewer suggested the new version stood up well against the cherished original: 'The remake has had massive Wellington boots to fill in the wake of the original, starring Christopher Timothy, Peter Davison and Robert Hardy, and it continues to do so beautifully.'
Viewer responses were similarly positive, with one saying: 'The most comforting and soothing show I've ever seen. While watching the show, I feel calm and at peace. I watch it again as a form of meditation.' An IMDB user review noted: 'It's rare nowadays to find TV that is suitable for the whole family to enjoy but this adaptation of All Creatures hits the nail on the head. No sex, no violence, no bad language, just engrossing and comforting storytelling.' One viewer said: 'Excellent series for all ages. This is probably the first time I've ever rated a show 10 but there really is nothing I can find fault with with this series. It's delightful, well written, acted, directed, edited, costumed, propped, and set in beautiful countryside with wonderful animals. It's wholesome, uplifting entertainment and leaves me with a smile on my face eagerly awaiting the next episode to air.' Meanwhile, another fan said: 'Simple perfection. An absolute gem. A perfect way to relax and wind down from this imperfect and troubled world. Love it, love it, love it.' A delighted viewer also shared: 'One of the VERY Best! I am simply incapable of refraining from binging every season as soon as it becomes available. I love this series so deeply! It brings joy to my very soul.'
All Creatures Great and Small is available to stream for free on Channel 5.
