Scripted

Channel 5, BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning production company Playground and MASTERPIECE on PBS today announce the casting of acclaimed drama series All Creatures Great and Small, as it gears up for its fourth season produced in association with All3Media International.

Based on the collection of stories by best-selling author James Herriot, the critically acclaimed adaptation returns to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales for a fourth season, picking up in 1940 as Churchill takes office and Europe is under serious threat. The 6x60’ new episodes, plus a Christmas Special, will air on Channel 5 in the autumn. In the US, MASTERPIECE on PBS will air season four early in 2024.

Season four sees Nicholas Ralph reprise his role, as well as Rachel Shenton, Samuel West, Anna Madeley, Patricia Hodge. Neve McIntosh joins the cast, alongside James Anthony-Rose.

Also returning for a fourth season is executive producer Ben Vanstone, who will write the Christmas special. Writer Jamie Crichton also returns, this time as lead writer and executive producer. Joining them for season four are writers Maxine Alderton and Helen Raynor. Andy Hay is Lead Director, with Stewart Svaasand and BAFTA winner Jordan Hogg also directing.

Season 3 aired in 2023, averaging a huge 3.8 million viewers, and an impressive 18% share, making Channel 5 the most popular linear channel during that slot while the TV series was on air.

Sir Colin Callender CBE, Executive Producer and CEO of Playground said: “We are thrilled to be back in the glorious Yorkshire Dales for a fourth season of family, community and, of course, animal hijinks. Our wonderful cast and crew are all delighted to be returning to adapt more of James Herriot’s joyful and life-affirming stories.”

Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+ said: “All Creatures Great and Small is one of the highlights of our year and we are eager to return to the glorious Yorkshire Dales this autumn. We can’t wait to welcome some new additions to our stellar cast for series 4.”.

The fourth season was commissioned by Deputy Director of Programmes, Paramount, Seb Cardwell, alongside Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+; Executive Producers are: Colin Callender, Melissa Gallant, Jamie Crichton and Ben Vanstone for Playground, Susanne Simpson and Rebecca Eaton for MASTERPIECE, and Louise Pedersen and David Swetman for All3Media International.

Series four is currently filming on location in Yorkshire.