Channel 5 Orders More All Creatures Great and Small

All Creatures Great and Small, based on James Herriot’s iconic collection of stories, has been renewed for a second season by Channel 5.

From BAFTA- and Golden Globe-winning production company Playground (Howards End, Wolf Hall), the series is set to return for a further six episodes and a Christmas special. Masterpiece on PBS in the U.S. will co-produce, with all3Media international serving as the global partner. The production will also receive funding and support from Screen Yorkshire.

In season two of All Creatures Great and Small, viewers will see more of the young country vet James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) as he joins his unconventional mentor, Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West), matriarch of Skeldale House Mrs. Hall (Anna Madeley), Siegfried’s errant brother Tristan (Callum Woodhouse) and independent local farmer’s daughter Helen Alderson (Rachel Shenton), alongside an ensemble of farmers, animals and townsfolk living in 1930s Yorkshire Dales.

Ben Vanstone (The Last Kingdom) remains lead writer and executive producer, Brian Percival will return as lead director and executive producer, and James Dean joins the production team as producer. The series will return to shoot on location in the Yorkshire Dales next year.

all3media international has signed a brand-new acquisition for All Creatures Great and Small with Chinese streaming platform Huanxi Media, which has picked up SVOD rights for both seasons. Further new deals announced by all3media International include BritBox, for its new SVOD service in Australia; and Polyband Medien has signed a Home Entertainment deal covering Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and German-speaking Luxembourg and Switzerland.

Sebastian Cardwell, deputy director of programs at ViacomCBS Networks UK, said: “In challenging times, this new adaptation gained a special place in the heart of the British public. With values of community spirit, solidarity and heart-felt compassion, these stories are important ones for us to tell, now more than ever. I’m delighted that we will be seeing more of James and his Darrowby family when they return to our screens soon.”

Colin Callender, executive producer and CEO of Playground, said: “Working with Channel 5, all3Media International, Masterpiece and Screen Yorkshire on the first series has been an absolute joy. All Creatures Great and Small has struck such a chord with audiences worldwide who were hungry for an entertaining, family-friendly show that provided some respite from the complicated and messy times we live in. We’re very excited to return home to our family at Skeldale House and to transport viewers back to Darrowby for more veterinary antics in the Yorkshire Dales!”

Susanne Simpson, Masterpiece executive producer, said: “We can’t wait to premiere the first season of All Creatures Great and Small in January—the perfect time for our audience to enjoy the humor and warmth of the series. Knowing there’s a second season will make watching and engaging with these characters even better.”

Caroline Cooper Charles, head of creative at Screen Yorkshire, said: “In an uncertain world, the warmth and charm of All Creatures Great and Small and its delicious cast of characters is comfort food for the soul. Screen Yorkshire is delighted to have invested in both series and can’t wait to welcome the production team back to Yorkshire for more fantastic and uplifting stories from Darrowby.”

Louise Pedersen, CEO of all3Media international, said: “The international reception to this series has been tremendously positive—and we are very proud that so many territories in Asia, Europe and the Americas have fallen for the charms of this wonderful drama.”

Honglin Jia, head of international acquisitions at Huanxi Media, said “We’re looking forward to showcasing this quintessentially British drama to our subscribers in China. With its glorious landscapes and acclaimed cast and crew, All Creatures Great and Small brings James Herriot’s classic stories vividly to life for a brand-new generation – offering premium drama infused with family values, warmth and humor.”