Fans of All Creatures Great and Small waiting for season seven are urged to watch a prequel that aired on BBC One 15 years ago. The popular period drama is based on the autobiographical books by British veterinarian Alf Wight, who wrote under the pen name James Herriot.
A Look Back at the Original Series
The original series broadcast on BBC One from 1978 until its final episode in 1990. Then, 30 years later, Channel 5 created a reboot detailing James Herriot's (played by Nicholas Ralph) escapades as a veterinary surgeon in the stunning Yorkshire Dales during the 1930s. The sixth season aired last year, and fans were also treated to a heartwarming special set during Christmas 1945, marking Darrowby's first peacetime holiday celebration after World War II.
The forthcoming season is anticipated to pick up the lives of the Skeldale House team and family in post-war Yorkshire in the 1940s, with production getting underway in February. In the meantime, fans awaiting the new episodes on Channel 5 can enjoy a prequel miniseries that originally aired on BBC One in 2011.
What to Expect from Young James Herriot
Young James Herriot is set in 1933 and follows the vet during his formative years as a student at Glasgow Veterinary College before his arrival at Skeldale House to work alongside Siegfried Farnon. The three-part mini-series draws on the early works of James Herriot as he settles into student life and strives to care for a range of animals, from sheep to horses to dogs.
Though, the budding vet quickly realised studying medicine isn't as straightforward as he'd hoped. Iain De Caestecker takes on the lead role of James in the series, who soap fans may recognise as Coronation Street's Adam Barlow between 2001 and 2003. He has also appeared in Monarch of the Glen, Taggart, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and The Winter King.
Fans React to Its Cancellation
Regrettably, following the first season, the BBC opted not to commission further series of Young James Herriot, despite the opening episode attracting 6 million viewers, leaving fans wanting more. "It would have been nice if Young James Herriot had been continued," commented one fan on X, formerly known as Twitter, as a second shared: "I’m ready for a rewatch of Young James Herriot, where #BenLloydHughes plays Rob McAloon, a composite character of his friends. It’ll get me pumped for the newest season of #AllCreaturesPBS. It would be really cool to see Rob make an appearance! @masterpiecepbs #HughesDayTuesday."
A third added: "It was a real shame that Young James Herriot did not get another season." Another echoed the sentiment: "Oh, how I wish there had been more seasons of Young James Herriot!" "Watching a bit of the Young James Herriot show. A bit weird they tried a show where Herriot is in vet school but it got cancelled and then decide to remake All Creatures Great and Small. I guess people just want to see him take care of the animals and not study in school," pointed out another.
When Will Season 7 of All Creatures Great and Small Air?
Given that a new series of All Creatures has arrived annually since 2020, with five launching in September and one in October, series seven could be just weeks away. All Creatures Great and Small is scheduled to return following a double commission for series seven and eight, each featuring six one-hour episodes alongside Christmas Specials. Production of new episodes has been ongoing since February, but the show is yet to confirm a broadcast date and is keeping tight-lipped about specific storylines.
Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor at 5, has teased exciting adventures ahead. He said, "All Creatures Great and Small is a jewel in 5's drama crown and continues to delight viewers year after year. Its warmth, humour and heart, set against the beauty of Yorkshire, have made it a firm audience favourite. We're thrilled to extend its future with two more series, with many new stories still to tell and more unforgettable adventures ahead for our Skeldale family."
Young James Herriot is available to stream on Prime Video, and All Creatures Great and Small is streaming on Channel 5.
