Fans of All Creatures Great and Small searching for their next period drama fix are turning to The Royal, a medical drama set in the 1960s that aired on ITV from 2003 to 2011. The series, which originally spun off from Heartbeat, has garnered a dedicated following and is available to stream for free on ITVX.
What Is The Royal About?
Set at the fictional St Aidan's Royal Free Hospital in the seaside town of Elsinby, the series follows the lives of staff and patients in an NHS hospital serving a rural community. The show initially featured crossover elements from Heartbeat, but by its fourth series, it focused solely on its own narratives and character development. The series ran for eight series and 87 episodes before its cancellation in 2011.
Cast and Filming Locations
The cast includes Ian Carmichael, Wendy Craig, Julian Ovenden, Robert Daws, Zoie Kennedy, Amy Robbins, and Linda Armstrong, among others. Outdoor scenes were filmed across North Yorkshire, including Scarborough and Whitby, while interior hospital scenes were shot at St Luke's Hospital in Bradford and The Leeds Studios.
Critical Acclaim and Viewer Reactions
The Royal has received widespread acclaim. One IMDB user review described it as "amazingly good," praising the 1960s music and natural acting. Another viewer called it "outstanding," highlighting the realistic blood effects, coastal scenery, and top-notch acting. A third reviewer compared it favorably to Call the Midwife, noting the show's quaint charm and sense of family.
The show's popularity led ITV to commission a daytime spin-off, The Royal Today, in 2007, which was set in the present day with a new cast. However, it ran for only one season and was cancelled in 2008.
Where to Watch
The Royal is available to stream for free on ITVX, making it easily accessible for viewers seeking a period drama with medical themes and nostalgic 1960s settings.
