In a remarkable fusion of pastoral nostalgia and cutting-edge space exploration, the beloved Channel 5 drama All Creatures Great and Small has played an unexpected role in one of humanity's greatest technological endeavours: life aboard the International Space Station.
A Cosmic Comfort for a Stranded Astronaut
The show's star, Scottish actor Nicholas Ralph, has spoken of his immense pride after learning that the series served as a vital mental health support for NASA astronaut Sunita Williams. Williams and her crewmate Butch Wilmore were stranded on the ISS for nine months following a technical fault, finally returning to Earth in March this year.
During her extended stay 250 miles above the planet, Williams repeatedly turned to the gentle comedy-drama set in the Yorkshire Dales. In an interview from the station, she revealed: ‘We have some favourite TV shows, particularly when I’m working out. All Creatures Great and Small is one of my favourites. I watch an episode while I’m riding the bike usually.’
Reacting to the news, Ralph, who plays the titular vet James Herriot, said: ‘To be played on the International Space Station, that’s incredibly cool.’
From Nairn to Hollywood: A British Saga's Global Appeal
This space-based fame is just one of the many surprises for the 35-year-old actor from Nairn since he took on the role in 2020. The series, based on the semi-autobiographical books by Scottish vet-turned-author Alf Wight (who wrote as James Herriot), is a British television staple. Wight's stories have sold 80 million copies worldwide.
The Channel 5 remake, also starring Samuel West, Callum Woodhouse, and Rachel Shenton, has become one of the broadcaster's most-watched programmes, achieving record viewing figures of five million at its peak. Its appeal, however, stretches far beyond the UK.
In the United States, the show has a devoted following, with fans including chat show host Stephen Colbert. The cast have been flown to Los Angeles for fan events, with one screening at the Los Angeles Zoo drawing huge crowds. ‘The queue to get a picture was snaking down the zoo,’ Ralph recalled. ‘It really was just kind of surreal.’
An Actor's Journey and the Show's Enduring Future
For Ralph, the role was his first on television after graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2017. His path to acting wasn't straightforward; teachers discouraged him, with one warning he might ‘end up living out of the back of your car.’
His perseverance has certainly paid off. The future of All Creatures Great and Small is secured with renewals for series seven and eight. The cast continue to work with an array of animal co-stars, from a two-tonne bull that once sent them scattering, to Derek the Pekingese who ‘plays’ the beloved Tricki Woo.
Ralph also teased an appearance in another well-known British period drama next year, promising a character ‘very different from James Herriot.’
The show's heartwarming, community-focused spirit will be on full display in its Christmas Eve special on Channel 5. Ralph, who plans to spend Christmas with his family in Nairn, describes it as ‘filled with all that wonderful community spirit, love for one another, the animals, and kindness at the forefront.’
All Creatures Great & Small: Christmas Special airs on Christmas Eve at 9pm on Channel 5, preceded by a behind-the-scenes special at 8pm.
