New Event Drama in the Works for BBC One

LONDON: KoCo Drama, part of the Shed Media Group, is to produce the 3×1-hour event Young James for BBC One, inspired the the true story of veterinarian and author James Herriot.

Along with the three hour-long episodes, a one-hour supporting documentary will be produced by KoCo and Twenty Twenty. The doc will tell the real story of the man behind the pseudonym James Herriot. The series was written for television by the late Johnny Byrne and is produced through BBC Scotland’s Anne Mensah for BBC1 One.

Kate Croft, the head of KoCo, said: “We are thrilled and honoured to be making this drama that sees James Herriot embark on his odyssey to qualify as a vet in what is a fascinating period in history. 1933, pre antibiotics, when veterinary practise was in the dark ages—as Herriot wrote ‘more art than science’. The drama will shine a light on James’s early friendships, his inspirational relationships with adults, his rocky quest for knowledge, and see his compassion for animals and principled humanity put to the test, in ironic, tragic and sheer comic episodes of animal – human relationships. We will shoot in and around Glasgow in the Spring.”

Jim Wight, the son of James Herriot, added, “There is still such great interest in Herriot. I am often asked about his life before the years depicted in Yorkshire. Now we have been able to piece together the never before told stories of his college days, and these stories are equally as fascinating. Young James will at last answer all those questions posed by his fans"