Who’s Who in All Creatures Great and Small

The new adaptation of best-selling author James Herriot’s cherished collection of stories is coming to ABC TV this January.

Newcomer Nicholas Ralph makes his television debut as the iconic vet who became renowned for his inspiring compassion, humour and love of life. Samuel West (Mr. Selfridge, On Chesil Beach) is Siegfried Farnon, the wonderfully capricious veterinary surgeon and proprietor of Skeldale House who reluctantly hires the recently qualified Herriot to join his rural practice. Mrs Hall, the resident housekeeper and matriarch of Skeldale House, is played by Anna Madeley (Patrick Melrose, Deadwater Fell). Siegfried’s errant and charismatic younger brother, Tristan, is played by Callum Woodhouse (The Durrells). Rachel Shenton (Switched at Birth, White Gold) takes the role of Helen Alderson, an independent local farmer’s daughter who helps her father manage the family farm and looks after her younger sister.

Find out more about who is who in the series.

James Herriot – Newly qualified Veterinary Assistant (Nicholas Ralph)
James Herriot has an inspiring compassion for animals and people and isn’t afraid to throw himself into any situation. But don’t be fooled by his youthful good looks – he has a steely spirit of grit and determination to succeed and realise his dream of becoming a vet. But he’s not without his insecurities, and relentlessly searches for acceptance among the skeptical Yorkshire Dales folk. James has a thirst for life and embraces it with humour, humility and great optimism.

Siegfried Farnon – Veterinary Surgeon & owner of Skeldale Veterinary Practice (Samuel West)
If ever there was a man who should be judged by what he does rather than what he says, it is Siegfried Farnon. He is cantankerous, hilarious and infuriating in equal measure. A mercurial character, Siegfried is as likely to contradict himself in the same sentence as he is to offer sage advice on veterinary practices or matters of the heart. He is a brilliant eccentric and a frequent source of conflict and humour in Skeldale House.

Tristan Farnon – Trainee Vet (Callum Woodhouse)
The younger Farnon brother is the bane of Siegfried’s life. A bon vivant whose spirit refuses to be crushed, Tristan is more interested in a pint down the Drovers than hard work. His frequent antics and haphazard work ethic land him in constant trouble with Siegfried. A great friend to James, Tristan is always on hand to offer advice on women, a subject in which he believes he’s something of an expert. He brings a vital energy to Skeldale House and comedy and chaos usually ensue wherever he goes.

Mrs Hall – Housekeeper of Skeldale House (Anna Madeley)
First one up in the morning and the last to bed, Mrs Hall is the engine room of Skeldale, spending her days ensuring the men of the house have everything they need. But Mrs Hall is no ordinary housekeeper. She cares for Siegfried, James and Tristan like they are her own family, often putting their wants and needs before her own. As sharp as a tack and with a wry sense of humour Mrs Hall is undoubtedly the unsung hero of Skeldale House.

Helen Alderson – Dales Farmer (Rachel Shenton)
A born and bred Daleswoman, Helen Alderson is a farmer’s daughter who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Fiercely independent, she is practical, capable and not remotely squeamish when it comes to dealing with the harsh realities of farming life. A lover of animals and the great outdoors, it’s no surprise that Helen soon captures the attention of James. Although she would never consider herself to be a beauty, James discovers Helen has many admirers in the Dales and so this course of true love may not run so smoothly.

Hugh Hulton – Local landowner and Helen’s boyfriend (Matthew Lewis)
A wealthy landowner, Hugh Hulton is handsome, charming, well respected and in many ways a good match for Helen Alderson. As childhood sweethearts, Hugh and Helen have grown up together and there is a general expectation that they will one day marry. But when James Herriot arrives in the Dales, Hugh fears his future with Helen may not be a fait accompli.

Mrs Pumphrey – Wealthy widow and regular client of Skeldale Veterinary Practice (Dame Diana Rigg)
The widow of a wealthy beer baron, the wonderfully eccentric Mrs Pumphrey lives in a beautiful mansion with her Pekingese Tricki Woo. Tricki is the apple of his mistress’s eye, who spoils him rotten with Egyptian cotton sheets and delicacies of beef wellington and plum duff pudding. When James is called to treat Tricki’s latest bout of flop-bott, he soon discovers there are many perks to being Tricki’s ‘Uncle Herriot’.

All Creatures Great and Small Premieres Saturday 22 January 2022 at 7.30pm ABC TV.