Channel 5’s hit remake of All Creatures Great and Small is returning to screens, and just in time as those colder autumn nights set in.
The series continues to be based on James Herriot’s real-life memoirs, with the new season heading into 1939, with the start of the Second World War looming over our characters.
All of the central cast from the previous two seasons are returning, including Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton, whose characters James and Helen are about to get married.
Meanwhile Samuel West, Anna Madeley and Callum Woodhouse are all back as well, but who else stars in the series and who do they play?
Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of All Creatures Great and Small.
Nicholas Ralph plays James Herriot
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Who is James Herriot? The iconic young Yorkshire vet, played by Christopher Timothy in the original 1970s television series. Working in rural Yorkshire in the 1930s and ’40s, James struggles at first to adapt – but soon finds himself won over by both the community and animals he works with.
Where have I seen Nicholas Ralph before? The Scottish actor makes his television debut in All Creatures Great and Small. He’s previously performed at a variety of theatres in Scotland, in plays including Captain Amazing, Interference, and Cinderella.
Samuel West plays Siegfried Farnon
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Who is Siegfried Farnon? A wealthy and capricious veterinary surgeon who – reluctantly – hired the recently qualified James Herriot to become his assistant. Siegfried is also the proprietor of Skeldale House and its veterinary practice. He is a widower, and he also raised his younger brother Tristan after the death of their parents.
Where have I seen Samuel West before? The actor is no stranger to appearing in period dramas, having previously starred in the likes of Mr. Selfridge (as Frank Edwards), On Chesil Beach, and the Oscar-winning film Darkest Hour (as Sir Anthony Eden). His other credits also include The Crown (as Anthony Blunt), and the film Howards End. Just this year he has also starred in The Midwich Cuckoos and Slow Horses.
Rachel Shenton plays Helen Alderson
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Who is Helen Alderson? Helen is a local farmer’s daughter who has been helping raise her little sister ever since the death of their mother. It’s a hard life making a living from the farm, but Helen has a relentlessly positive can-do attitude. In season one, she had a longstanding romance with landowner Hugh, but by season two she’s started up a relationship with James.
Where have I seen Rachel Shenton before? Two years ago Shenton notably won the Oscar for Best Live Action short film, for The Silent Child. She’s otherwise known for playing Anne “Mitzeee” Minniver in Hollyoaks, Joanne Scott in White Gold, and Courtney in Waterloo Road.
Callum Woodhouse plays Tristan Farnon
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Who is Tristan Farnon? Siegfried’s popular but extravagant playboy brother. Going into season 3 he has finally passed all of his veterinary exams, but still feels like he’s missing something.
Where have I seen Callum Woodhouse before? The actor is best known for playing Leslie Durrell in the series The Durrells. He’s also starred in Cold Feet and Father Brown.
Anna Madeley plays Mrs Hall
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Who is Mrs Hall? The housekeeper of Skeldale House. Mrs Hall is a force to be reckoned with – often putting her employer in his place – but she is kind and loving heart, and usually knows what’s best. She previously left an abusive relationship and has a grown-up son called Edward who is somewhat elusive.
Where have I seen Anna Madeley before? The actress has previously starred opposite David Tennant in the acclaimed Deadwater Fell (as Kate), while also appearing in Patrick Melrose (as Cousin Mary), Silent Witness, The Crown (as Clarissa Eden), Mr Selfridge (as Miss Ravillious), Utopia (as Anya) and Anatomy of a Scandal (as Ellie Frisk).
Patricia Hodge plays Mrs Pumphrey
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Who is Mrs Pumphrey? A wealthy local resident and proud owner of an extremely spoilt Pekingese dog named Tricki Woo. Mrs Pumphrey was played by Dame Diana Rigg in the first season.
Where have I seen Patricia Hodge before? Olivier Award winning actress Patricia Hodge is best known for starring in Miranda, Rumpole of the Bailey, Betrayal, The Life and Loves of a She-Devil and Hotel du Lac.
Imogen Clawson plays Jenny Alderson
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Who is Jenny Alderson? Jenny is the younger sister of Helen Alderson.
Where have I seen Imogen Clawson before? Imogen Clawson made her acting debut in the first season of All Creatures Great and Small as Jenny Alderson.
Tony Pitts plays Richard Alderson
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Who is Richard Alderson? A farmer and widower, and the father of Helen Alderson and little Jenny Alderson (Imogen Clawson).
Where have I seen Tony Pitts before? You might recognise Pitts as Hargreaves from Line of Duty, or as Inspector Moss from Peaky Blinders; he’s also been in Jamestown (as Edgar Massinger), Wild Bill (as Keith Metcalfe), MotherFatherSon (as Lennox), Giri/Haji (as Steve), My Mad Fat Diary (as Chloe’s Dad), and Emmerdale (as Archie Brooks). On the big screen, he played Captain Pterro in Rogue One.
Matthew Lewis plays Hugh Hulton
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Who is Hugh Hulton? A wealthy landowner and Helen’s long-term love interest prior to James’ arrival in Darrowby.
Where have I seen Matthew Lewis before? You’ll of course recognise Matthew Lewis for playing the valiant (if accident-prone) Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter film franchise. However, he’s also starred in the likes of The Syndicate, Bluestone 42, Girlfriends (as Tom), and Happy Valley (as Sean Balmforth).
Mollie Winnard plays Maggie
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Who is Maggie? The barmaid, who took a shine to Tristan Farnon in season 1. They had a casual relationship, but then broke it off before things got too serious.
What else has Mollie Winnard been in? She previously starred as Kayla Clifton in Coronation Street and in BBC drama Four Lives. She is set to appear in the upcoming Happy Valley season 3.
You can order James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small from Amazon.
All Creatures Great and Small returns for season 3 at 9pm on Thursday 15th September on Channel 5 and My5. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what’s on tonight.
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