Based
on the highly popular books by James Herriot
these gentle and homely tales of veterinary life
between the 1930's and 1950's were set in
Darrowby, Yorkshire.
The series began in the 1930's when newly
qualified vet James Herriott takes up a position
working for Seigfried Farnon, a somewhat
arrogant middle aged vet and his younger impetuous
brother Tristan (who at the start of the show
was yet to be qualified as a vet).
Midway
through season one James had fallen for and then
married Helen, (Carol Drinkwater who played
Helen and Christopher Timothy who played James
became real life partners).
The series was immediately very popular and continued
for three seasons, then, with the action having
moved to the beginning of World War II and all
three vets gearing up to get involved in the
conflict the series was brought to what seemed
like a natural conclusion.
Then
three years later there was a 90 minute
Christmas Special (more or less by public
demand) catching up with Herriot and the rest,
then another special followed two years later.
Again it looked like that was it until in 1988
the BBC decided to bring the series back.
The original run had followed faithfully the
stories written by James Herriott whilst this
later run, taking up the story to the 1950's and
bringing in a new vet in the shape of Scottish
Calum Buchanan, relied more on original
material.
The major difference in this version of the
series is that Carol Drinkwater didn't appear
(she and Timothy were no longer an item and her
role was taken by Lynda Bellingham). James and
Helen's children were now growing up but
otherwise it was business as usual. Seigfried
was still cantankerous, Tristan still an
incurable romantic and James the family man.
During the show's run many of the farmers James
saw made regular appearances as did the
character of Mrs Pumphrey and her troublesome
dog Tricky Woo, spoilt to the Nth degree, James
would find himself regularly attending to the
dogs needs, although Mrs Pumphrey, who was very
rich, usually looked after the boys very
well.
Cast
CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY as James Herriott / ROBERT
HARDY as Siegfried Farnon / PETER
DAVISON as Tristan Farnon / CAROL
DRINKWATER as Helen Herriott(78-80) / LYNDA
BELLINGHAM as Helen Herriott(88-90) / JOHN McGLYNN as Calum Buchanan(88-90) /
MARGARETTA SCOTT as Mrs Pumphrey / MARY
HIGNETT as Mrs Hall(78-80)
