All Creatures Great and Small (franchise)

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All Creatures Great and Small
Created by James Herriot (book series)
Bill Sellars (original TV series)
Young James Herriot :
Johnny Byrne and Kate Croft
Original workIf Only They Could Talk (book)
Print publications
Book(s) List of books
Films and television
Film(s) All Creatures Great and Small (1975)
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1976)
Television series All Creatures Great and Small (1978–1990)
Young James Herriot (2011)
All Creatures Great and Small (2020–present)
Audio
Soundtrack(s) All Creatures Great and Small: The Original Music from the TV Series and Other Favourite Themes (1978)
Miscellaneous
Theme park attraction(s) The World of James Herriot

The All Creatures Great and Small franchise consists of a series of books, movies, and TV series based on books written by James Alfred Wight under the pen name James Herriot based on his experiences as a veterinary surgeon. [1] The books have been adapted for film and television, including a 1975 film All Creatures Great and Small , followed by the 1976 It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet sequel, as well as a long-running BBC television programme of the same title, and a prequel series in 2011, Young James Herriot .

Contents

By 2020, the series of books featuring James Herriot had sold some 60 million copies. [2] In that year, the next television production was aired, All Creatures Great and Small . The programme, produced for Channel 5 in the UK and PBS in the United States, was renewed for a second set of episodes, [3] and then a third and fourth season. [4]

Books

The book series focuses on the adventures of veterinary surgeon James Herriot and is set in the Yorkshire Dales, in the fictional town of Darrowby, based on a combination of Thirsk, Richmond, Leyburn and Middleham. [5] In the books, Herriot works with fellow veterinary surgeons Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, based on real-life counterparts, Donald Sinclair and his brother Brian Sinclair respectively. Wight used the name Helen Alderson for his real-life wife, Joan Danbury. Danbury, in real life was not a farmer’s daughter, but worked as a secretary. According to one source, "contrary to the stories, Alf Wight met her in a group outing to a local dance. Evidently, he felt she was worth pursuing from the first, though she had a number of boyfriends and admirers." [6]

In addition to the primary books listed below, a series of nine James Herriot Children’s Picture Books were published. Another 12 books, considered to be anthologies (with content taken from various of the primary books) was also published, some in the UK and others in the U.S. [7]

UK series

U.S. series

In the United States, the books were collected as pairs into omnibus volumes because the publisher thought they were too short to publish independently. The title for the first book in the series All Creatures Great and Small (and subsequently of the movies and television series) was taken from the hymn "All Things Bright and Beautiful". According to Herriot's son, it was his sister who suggested the title, initially proposing All Creatures Great and Small. [8]

Media overview

FilmsTelevision series
All Creatures Great and Small It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet All Creatures Great and Small Young James Herriot All Creatures Great and Small
Year of Release197519761978–199020112020
Based onIf Only They Could Talk (1970)
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1972)
Let Sleeping Vets Lie (1973)
Vet in Harness (1974)
If Only They Could Talk (1970)
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1972)
The Herriot archive and the archives of the Glasgow Veterinary College.If Only They Could Talk (1970)
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1972)
Director Claude Whatham Eric Till VariousMichael KeillorVarious
Writer Hugh Whitemore Alan Plater VariousAnn McManus
Eileen Gallagher
Various
Cast and Characters
James Herriot Simon Ward John Alderton Christopher Timothy Iain De Caestecker Nicholas Ralph
Siegfried Farnon Anthony Hopkins Colin Blakely Robert Hardy   Samuel West
Tristan FarnonBrian Stirner  Peter Davison   Callum Woodhouse
Helen Alderson Lisa Harrow Carol Drinkwater (S1-3)
Lynda Bellingham (S4-7)
  Rachel Shenton
Mrs. HallChristine Buckley  Mary Hignett   Anna Madeley
Mrs Pumphrey Daphne Oxenford   Margaretta Scott   Diana Rigg (S1)
Patricia Hodge (from S2)
Jeff MallockJohn Rees Frank Birch (S1-3)
Fred Feast (S4-7)
  
Hinchcliffe  Bill Maynard   
Calum Buchanan  John McGlynn   
Whirly Tyson  Amy Manson  
Rob McAloon  Ben Lloyd-Hughes  

Films

The World of James Herriot Museum in Thirsk Herriot museum 9663.jpg
The World of James Herriot Museum in Thirsk

All Creatures Great and Small (1975)

All Creatures Great and Small is based on the first two novels, If Only They Could Talk (1970) and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1972), and was given the same title as the 1972 U.S. compilation volume of these two novels. It was released in 1975. It was directed by Claude Whatham, and written by Hugh Whitemore, and starred Simon Ward as James Herriot and Anthony Hopkins as Siegfried Farnon.

It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1976)

It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet is based on the two subsequent novels, Let Sleeping Vets Lie (1973) and Vet in Harness (1974), and was released in 1976. It was directed by Eric Till, written by Alan Plater, and starred John Alderton as James Herriot and Colin Blakely as Siegfried Farnon.

Television

All Creatures Great and Small (1978–1990)

All Creatures Great and Small is a BBC television series based initially on the first two books, If Only They Could Talk (1970) and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1972). As the novels are written in an episodic style, with each chapter generally containing a short story within the ongoing narrative of Herriot's life, this facilitated their adaptation for a television series by producer Bill Sellars. The series stars Christopher Timothy as James Herriot and Robert Hardy as Siegfried Farnon, and it had two runs: the original (1978 to 1980, based directly on Herriot's books) was for three series; the second (1988 to 1990, filmed with original scripts) for four. Series 4 saw the introduction of new vet, Calum Buchanan (John McGlynn), based on Herriot's real-life assistant Brian Nettleton. A total of ninety episodes were broadcast.

Young James Herriot (2011)

Young James Herriot is a three-part BBC television series based on the life of veterinary student James Herriot. It was based on notes in the Herriot archive and the archives of the Glasgow Veterinary College, including the diaries and case notes the author kept during his student years, and was produced with the cooperation of his family.[ citation needed ] The series was directed by Michael Keillor and written by Ann McManus and Eileen Gallagher. It stars Iain De Caestecker as Herriot, with Amy Manson and Ben Lloyd-Hughes as fellow students Whirly Tyson and Rob McAloon.

All Creatures Great and Small (2020–)

In 2019, Channel 5 announced it would be filming a new series in the Yorkshire Dales over the summer of 2019, to be broadcast the following year. [9] Instead of using Askrigg as the filming base, the producers decided on Grassington, due to the former's A roads detracting from the 1930s look they wanted. [10] There was never a plan to film in Thirsk where the actual James Herriot (Alf Wight) practiced because it had become too large for the small-town feel that the series wanted. [11]

Significant changes were made from the source material (both the previous television series and the memoir), such as Siegfried Farnon being a heartbroken widower and a dramatically increased role for Mrs. Hall, who has been reimagined as a young, live-in housekeeper and a "slightly warmer figure" than in the novels. The role of Helen was also greatly expanded. [12]

This first series consisted of six episodes plus a Christmas special and aired first on Channel 5 (in 2020) and then (in early 2021) on PBS in the United States. All Creatures Great and Small was renewed for a second series. [13] [14] All of the principal actors were expected to return to their roles. [15] It was scheduled to begin filming in the Yorkshire Dales in late March 2021. [16] [17]

The World of James Herriot

The veterinary surgery of Alf Wight (James Herriot) and his partners in Thirsk, a museum; (2009 photo) Herriot Museum.jpg
The veterinary surgery of Alf Wight (James Herriot) and his partners in Thirsk, a museum; (2009 photo)

The World of James Herriot is a writer's home museum attraction in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England. [18] [19] [20]

The museum was set up in 1999 by Hambleton District Council; the business was sold to private investors in 2011 and was re-generated in 2017. Council leases the building to the operators but retains ownership of the structure. [21] [22] As of February 2021, the World of James Herriot Ltd board included the daughter and son of Alf Wight: Rosie Page and retired vet John Wight, in addition to a group of "local businessmen and women". [23]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Herriot</span> British veterinary surgeon (1916–1995)

James Alfred Wight, better known by his pen name James Herriot, was a British veterinary surgeon and author.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirsk</span> Market town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England

Thirsk is a market town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England; it is known for its racecourse and depiction as local author James Herriot's fictional Darrowby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher Timothy</span> Welsh actor and narrator (born 1940)

Christopher Timothy is a British actor and narrator from Bala, Wales. He is known for his roles as James Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small, Mac McGuire in the BBC One daytime soap opera Doctors, and Ted Murray in the BBC One primetime soap opera EastEnders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Sinclair (veterinary surgeon)</span> British veterinarian (1915–1988)

Wallace Brian Vaughan Sinclair was a British veterinary surgeon who worked for a time with his older brother Donald, and Donald's business partner, Alf Wight. Wight wrote a series of semi-autobiographical novels under the pen name James Herriot, with Sinclair and Donald appearing in fictional form as brothers Tristan and Siegfried Farnon. The novels were adapted in two films and television series under the name All Creatures Great and Small. Tristan was portrayed as a charming rogue who was still studying veterinary medicine in the early books, constantly having to re-take examinations because of his lack of application, often found in the pub, and provoking tirades from his bombastic elder brother Siegfried.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Sinclair (veterinary surgeon)</span> Inspiration for fictional character Siegfried Farnon

Donald Vaughan Sinclair was a British veterinary surgeon who graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 1933. He was made famous as the inspiration for the eccentric character Siegfried Farnon, in the semi-autobiographical books of James Herriot, adapted for film and television as All Creatures Great and Small.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirlby</span> Village in North Yorkshire, England

Thirlby is a village and civil parish in former Hambleton District of North Yorkshire, England. With a population of about 120 in 2003, measured at 134 at the 2011 Census, Thirlby is situated approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Thirsk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darrowby</span> Fictional village in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England

Darrowby is a fictional village in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England, which was created by author Alf Wight under the pen name of James Herriot as the setting for the veterinary practice in his book It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet. The book has been adapted for two television series, both titled All Creatures Great and Small. The first was the BBC's 1978 series, which aired between 1978 and 1990. A new adaptation was produced for the 2020 series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies</span> University of Edinburghs vet school

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, commonly referred to as the Dick Vet, is the University of Edinburgh's vet school. It is part of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colin Blakely</span> Northern Irish actor (1930–1987)

Colin George Edward Blakely was a Northern Irish actor. He had roles in the films A Man for All Seasons (1966), The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and Equus (1977).

<i>All Creatures Great and Small</i> (film) 1975 British film by Claude Whatham

All Creatures Great and Small is a 1975 British film, directed by Claude Whatham and starring Simon Ward and Anthony Hopkins as Yorkshire vets James Herriot and Siegfried Farnon. It is based on the first novels by James Herriot : If Only They Could Talk (1970) and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1972).

<i>All Creatures Great and Small</i> (1978 TV series) British veterinary TV series (1978-90)

All Creatures Great and Small is a British television series made by the BBC and based on the books of the British veterinary surgeon Alf Wight, who wrote under the pseudonym James Herriot. Set in the Yorkshire Dales and beginning in the mid-1930s, it stars Christopher Timothy as Herriot, Robert Hardy as Siegfried Farnon, the proprietor of the Skeldale House surgery, and Peter Davison as Siegfried's "little brother", Tristan. Herriot's wife, Helen, was initially played by Carol Drinkwater and in the later series by Lynda Bellingham.

<i>It Shouldnt Happen to a Vet</i> 1976 British film

It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet, is a 1976 sequel to the 1975 film All Creatures Great and Small. Although having the same title as James Herriot's second novel, the film is actually based on his third and fourth novels, Let Sleeping Vets Lie and Vet in Harness, which in the United States were released as a compilation volume titled All Things Bright and Beautiful. It is part of a series of movies and television series based on Herriot's novels.

Thomas Jarvie was a Scottish professional footballer, veterinary surgeon and television personality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The World of James Herriot</span> Attraction in North Yorkshire, England

World of James Herriot Ltd is a visitor attraction in the former Thirsk home and veterinary surgery of author James Herriot.

<i>Young James Herriot</i> Television series

Young James Herriot is a three-part British television drama based on the early life of veterinary surgeon James Herriot. It is part of a series of movies and television series based on Herriot's novels. It features Iain De Caestecker as the title character following his arrival at veterinary college, alongside Amy Manson and Ben Lloyd-Hughes as fellow students Whirly Tyson and Rob McAloon. Directed by Michael Keillor and written by Ann McManus and Eileen Gallagher, it was a Koco Drama production for the BBC which first aired on BBC One in December 2011.

Julian Norton is a British veterinary surgeon, author and TV personality, best known for his appearances on thirteen series of The Yorkshire Vet, which has been broadcast on Channel 5 since 2015.

<i>All Creatures Great and Small</i> (2020 TV series) British television series

All Creatures Great and Small is a television series set in 1930s and 1940s Northern England, based upon a series of books about a Yorkshire veterinary surgeon written by Alf Wight under the pen name of James Herriot. The series, produced by Playground Entertainment for Channel 5, is a new adaptation of Wight's books, following the previous BBC series of 90 episodes that ran from 1978 to 1990 and a number of other films and television series based on Herriot's novels. It was filmed in the Yorkshire Dales, and received funding from Screen Yorkshire. 

Nicholas Ralph is a Scottish actor. He plays James Herriot in the Channel 5 and PBS Masterpiece television series All Creatures Great and Small, a remake of the long-running BBC series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cringley House</span> Historic building in Askrigg, North Yorkshire

Cringley House is an historic building in the English village of Askrigg, North Yorkshire. Standing on the south side of Market Place, it was built in the early-to-mid-19th century, and is now a Grade II listed building. Its railings are also of listed status.

References

  1. "James Herriot Biography". Biography.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  2. "All Creatures Great and Small: Who was the real James Herriot". Irish Times/New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  3. "All Creatures Great and Small Is Getting a Season 2". Town & Country. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021. Rigg, who played Mrs. Pumphrey, passed away in September at the age of 82
  4. Hibbs, James. "All Creatures Great and Small season 4: Release date speculation and news". Radio Times. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  5. James Herriot. James Herriot's Yorkshire. St. Martin's Press: 1979.
  6. "Who is James Herriot and How "True" is All Creatures Great and Small?". Thirteen Media. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  7. "Who is James Herriot and How "True" is All Creatures Great and Small?". Thirteen Media. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  8. Wight, Jim. 2000. The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father. New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN   978-0-345-42151-7
  9. "All Creatures Great and Small returns to TV". BBC News. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  10. "All Creatures Great and Small: The pubs, shops and other locations that feature in the new Channel Five series" - Yorkshire Post , 2 September 2020
  11. Blow, John (18 October 2019). "First look as Yorkshire Dales market town is transformed for All Creatures Great and Small reboot" . The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  12. "Here's how the new All Creatures Great and Small builds on the original books and TV series". Radio Times. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  13. "All Creatures Great and Small season 2 release date: cast, plot, and latest news". Radio Times. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021. Hopefully, that means it'll air on Channel 5 in the UK towards the end of 2021.
  14. White, Peter (2 September 2020). "'All Creatures Great And Small' Becomes Highest-Rated Show For Viacom's UK Net C5 In Nearly Five Years". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  15. "All Creatures Great and Small Is Getting a Season 2". Town & Country. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021. Rigg, who played Mrs. Pumphrey, passed away in September at the age of 82
  16. charlottelarson (30 November 2020). ""Big and Small of All Creatures": Channel 5, PBS Updates Season 2 Series". New York News Times. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  17. "All Creatures Great and Small season 2 release date: cast, plot, and latest news". Radio Times. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021. set in 1938
  18. The World of James Herriot, Culture 24, UK.
  19. World of James Herriot, Information Britain, UK.
  20. World of James Herriot Archived 2011-02-12 at the Wayback Machine , Yorkshire Attractions Archived 2011-09-06 at the Wayback Machine , UK.
  21. "The World of James Herriot". Great Potential. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  22. "The World of James Herriot in Thirsk set for a bright future as visitor attraction is given 30-year lease". Veterinary Practice. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  23. "New Appointment to the Main Board of the World of James Herriot Ltd". Harrogate News. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021. the appointment of John Gallery onto their main board ... joins the board following the recent appointment of Kate Pawlett, centre manager as a director