A period drama that fans describe as 'better than Call the Midwife' is now available on Channel 5. The 'excellent' series has been dubbed 'one of the best feel-good shows in a long time,' with viewers calling it 'perfection' and praising its rival to the beloved BBC series.
An Exceptional Period Drama
The entire cast's performances have been highly praised from all quarters. If period dramas set within the medical world are your cup of tea, 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 precisely the programme for you. Aptly described as 'one of the best feel-good shows in a long time,' this medical period drama serves as a tonic for the soul, and audiences cannot stop singing its praises.
The British period drama series unfolds in Northern England during the 1930s and 1940s, transporting viewers on a delightful journey from the very start. All Creatures Great and Small, available to stream free of charge on Channel 5, draws from Alf Wight's (pen name James Herriot) collection of books set in the Yorkshire Dales, chronicling a vet surgeon and his encounters with the community and creatures around him.
A Beloved Adaptation
A highly acclaimed television adaptation by the BBC, inspired by the same collection of novels, originally aired between 1978 and 1990, and audiences believed it couldn't be bettered. Then arrived Channel 5's latest adaptation, which debuted on September 1, 2020, and captivated viewers instantly, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Shot on location in the Yorkshire Dales and supported by funding from Screen Yorkshire, Channel 5's adaptation has touched the hearts of audiences across the globe. The programme currently boasts six seasons containing seven episodes apiece, and secured renewal for a seventh and eighth series in November 2025.
Cast and Authenticity
The programme's ensemble cast - Samuel West, Anna Madeley, Nicholas Ralph, Callum Woodhouse, Rachel Shenton, Diana Rigg, Patricia Hodge and James Anthony-Rose - has earned widespread acclaim for their outstanding performances. To ensure genuine authenticity, the cast received training in fundamental veterinary procedures from an on-set veterinary adviser.
Nicholas Ralph told 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 an impressive 99% average score on Rotten Tomatoes throughout all 6 seasons, All Creatures Great and Small has received glowing reviews throughout the years, with one reviewer declaring: 'The show is irresistible. Always has been, always will be.' Another critic 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.'
While one reviewer believed it warranted greater recognition: 'A criminally underrated show. Everything from the casting to the production values to the writing is wonderful.' Another critic suggested the fresh adaptation more than matched 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 Reactions
Viewer responses proved equally enthusiastic, with one audience member writing: '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.' Meanwhile, an IMDB user review stated: '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 wrote: '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.
