All Creatures Great and Small (1978)
The warmhearted BBC classic that brought James Herriot's Yorkshire veterinary adventures to life across seven beloved seasons.
All Creatures Great and Small - Series Information
- Original Title: All Creatures Great and Small
- First Air Year: 1978
- Last Air Year: 1990
- Created by: Bill Sellars
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 55 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 87
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 8, 1978 (United States - TV-PG), January 8, 1978 (Canada - G), January 8, 1978 (Germany - 12), January 8, 1978 (France - 12), January 8, 1978 (Australia - PG), January 8, 1978 (Brazil - L), January 8, 1978 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
- Alternative Titles: Der Doktor und das liebe Vieh (DE), О всех созданиях, больших и малых (RU)
All Creatures Great and Small - Plot
The trials and misadventures of the staff at a country veterinary office in Yorkshire. James Herriot, a young animal surgeon, moves to a small Yorkshire town to begin his first job.
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All Creatures Great and Small - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Bill Sellars
Main Cast
- Robert Hardy
- Christopher Timothy
- Carol Drinkwater
- Peter Davison
- Lynda Bellingham
- Mary Hignett
- John McGlynn
- Margaretta Scott
- Andrea Gibb
- Teddy Turner
Writers
- Johnny Byrne
- Brian Finch
- Anthony Steven
- Roger Davenport
- Michael Russell
All Creatures Great and Small - FAQs
Where can you stream All Creatures Great and Small?
The original 1978 BBC series is available to stream on BritBox, BritBox via Amazon Channel, BritBox via Apple TV Channel, PBS, Thirteen, and WETA+. Availability may vary by region. Check JustWatch for the most current streaming options in your area.
Is All Creatures Great and Small based on a true story?
Yes. The series is adapted from the memoirs of James Alfred Wight, a real Yorkshire veterinarian who wrote under the pen name James Herriot. His books drew directly from his experiences practicing in the Dales, making the characters and settings closely rooted in genuine rural life.
Who are the main actors in All Creatures Great and Small?
The principal cast includes Christopher Timothy as James Herriot, Robert Hardy as Siegfried Farnon, Peter Davison as Tristan Farnon, Carol Drinkwater and later Lynda Bellingham as Helen Herriot, and Margaretta Scott as the eccentric Mrs. Pumphrey.
How many seasons does All Creatures Great and Small have?
The original BBC series ran for 7 seasons plus a collection of specials, totalling 87 episodes. It aired from January 1978 to December 1990, spanning more than a decade of warmly received television on BBC One.
Why did Carol Drinkwater leave All Creatures Great and Small?
Carol Drinkwater, who played Helen Herriot in the first two seasons, chose to pursue other acting opportunities and departed after Season 2. Lynda Bellingham stepped into the role from Season 3 onward and became equally beloved by audiences throughout the remainder of the series.
What is the content rating for All Creatures Great and Small?
The series carries a TV-PG rating in the United States, making it suitable for general family viewing. It is rated G in Canada, PG in Australia, and carries age guidance ratings of 12 or 13 in Germany, France, and Spain.
When did All Creatures Great and Small first air?
All Creatures Great and Small first aired on January 8, 1978, on BBC One in the United Kingdom. The series concluded in December 1990 after seven seasons, enjoying an exceptionally long and popular run of over twelve years on British television.
Is there a newer version of All Creatures Great and Small?
Yes. A critically acclaimed remake, also titled All Creatures Great & Small, launched in 2020 on Channel 5 in the UK and PBS Masterpiece in the US. It stars Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot and Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon, and has been warmly received by both critics and fans of the original.
More About All Creatures Great and Small
Explore further details about the series on these authoritative reference sites.