Samuel West

All Creatures Great and Small is back on Channel 5 and will see the return of all the fan-favourites including Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot and Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon

All Creatures Great and Small is making a triumphant return to Channel 5, bringing back all the beloved characters including Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot and Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon.

The first episode, dubbed Gathering the Flock, showcases James and Tristan (portrayed by Callum Woodhouse) taking drastic measures after witnessing Siegfried’s wild and disorderly conduct, with some touching behind-the-scenes moments.

Anna Madeley reprises her role as Mrs Hall, alongside Rachel Shenton as James’s wife Helen. Tony Pitts and Imogen Clawson also make a comeback as Helen’s father and sister, Richard and Jenny.

The sixth series will also welcome back Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey and Mollie Winnard as Maggie.

Here’s everything you need to know about the guest stars for the first episode of the sixth series.

READ MORE: All Creatures Great and Small star confirms character’s exit in series 6 updateREAD MORE: All Creatures Great and Small star shares thoughts on Siegfried and Mrs Hall – and fans will be upset

All Creatures Great and Small series 6 episode 1 cast

Archie Tredwell – Wayne Foskett

Wayne Foskett joins the cast for the opening episode. The 61 year old English actor is renowned for his roles in Merlin, Silent Witness and Midsomer Murders.

He’s also an avid artist and has showcased his works at the Jardiniere art exhibition.

Fans might also recognise him as Richard Stark from Game of Thrones or as Tom in Lightfields.

Jimmy Herriot – Thomas Riches

James’s son Jimmy is portrayed by Thomas Riches, but little is known about the young star at this point.

Susan – Lucy-Jo Hudson

Susan, an acquaintance of Siegfried’s, is played by Lucy-Jo Hudson, a 42 year old actress hailing from Leeds.

She’s the sister of rugby league player Ryan Hudson and was previously married to Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall, who portrays Tyrone Dobbs, until 2018.

The mum-of-two is recognised for her roles as Katy Harris in Coronation Street, Rosie Trevanion in Wild at Heart and Donna-Marie Quinn in Hollyoaks.

Rosie Herriot – Arlie and Autumn Doyle

Arlie and Autumn Doyle join the cast as James and Helen’s daughter Rosie, but little is known about these young twins.

Mary – Siena Marsden

Siena Marsden joins the cast as Mary, Edward’s daughter, although not much is known about this young actress yet.

Edward Hall – Conor Deane

Conor Deane returns as Mrs Hall’s son Edward, and he is also known for his roles as Fred Holdsworth in The Hardacres and Kyre Branson in Sherwood.

His other credits include Ridley, Happy Valley and What It Feels Like for a Girl.

All Creatures Great and Small airs on Channel 5 on September 25 at 9pm

All Creatures Great and Small’s Siegfried Farnon actor Samuel West has opened up about his role and feeling ‘slightly jealous’ of his co-star

The sixth series of All Creatures Great and Small is set to grace Channel 5 on Thursday 25 September at 9pm.

In anticipation of the new series, Samuel West, who portrays Siegfried Farnon, has shared insights into the upcoming season. The 59 year old actor has been bringing Siegfried to life since 2020.

Siegfried, the quirky proprietor of Skeldale House veterinary practice, shines in Channel 5’s rendition of All Creatures Great and Small.

This beloved family drama is inspired by the treasured writings of Yorkshire vet Alf Wight, who wrote about his experiences as a rural veterinarian under the pen name James Herriot.

The colourful personalities that inhabit the All Creatures books and their screen adaptations are drawn from real people, with Siegfried being based on Alf’s actual employer, Donald Sinclair, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Samuel, the actor behind Siegfried, has divulged details about series six and the animal escapades his character encounters.

He revealed: “We have our first Shire horse. That’s an amazing animal. I don’t know how it took us that long to get round to a Shire, but it was a beautiful, beautiful creature, and very well looked after. I had to get good at pulling up the hoof to look at it from the side.”

Samuel also confessed feeling ‘slightly jealous’ of his fellow cast member Callum Woodhouse, who plays Tristan Farnon.

He confessed: “I wish I had more to do with horses. When they said that Tristan was going to start looking at horses with me, it was the first time I felt slightly jealous.

“‘Let it be me! Siegfried is the one who’s good at horses! I’m the one who they asked for by name!’ But of course, you shouldn’t let me be comfortable in that – there are always new things to learn.”

He went on to say: “And there is such a thing as an aura around people. You meet it, and you can almost see it in people who are very calm or very disturbed – and animals certainly know it. Horses pick up on it immediately.

“So, working with them, I don’t know… I remember realising that our crew was so concentrated and so still and so talented that if I was doing a two-handed scene with a horse, and it was just me looking at the horse and waiting for a reaction, almost waiting for eye contact, or just sharing something that didn’t take words, I could probably wait there for a minute and nobody would say cut.

“And that’s an extraordinary feeling. It’s really good, because you’re filming something that’s invisible – something that’s happening between an animal that can’t speak and somebody else who is trying to read their thoughts, their feelings.

“But when we get it, we get it. We can see it. It’s like magnetism. It may not be visible, but we can sense that it’s there. I find that really exciting.

“It works with horses mostly, but you also get it with cows and obviously dogs and cats as well – but mostly with the larger animals.”

All Creatures Great and Small returns on Thursday 25 September at 9pm on Channel 5.

The period piece has garnered much praise

Fans of historical dramas can’t afford to miss out on this cracking series of ITV films that are streaming now, after others have enjoyed a 10/10 period drama and a “superbly filmed” BBC series.

The film saga has many fans, who’ve previously lauded the series on IMDb.

One person titled their 10/10 review: “One of the all time great seafaring adventures!”

The user added: “It ranks up there with the original Mutiny on the Bounty,The Sea Hawk and Master And Commander as one of the greatest of its kind.”

Another person said in their 10/10 review: “This is one of the most realistic historical dramas out there.

“Everything in Hornblower is played to perfection, from the sets (fantastic, towering ships) to the costumes to the cast. The actors are all so believable in their roles that it’s hard to pull yourself out of that world. I had only flicked onto it by accident on TV, but I couldn’t pull myself away.”

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A third described the drama as a “True Swashbuckling Adventure” and added: “A great cast and the sight of the beautiful sailing vessels in full rigging — I’d forgotten how much I love them.”

Someone else commented: “Storytelling at its best!” and elaborated: “The first in the Horatio Hornblower series, this installment is absolutely stunning. After watching this, you will find yourself longing for more. There is enough action, drama, and humor to satisfy just about anyone [sic].”

Yet another person hailed the show as “top notch entertainment” and said: “I viewed this show with some trepidation, as the name Hornblower to me (as with many others) is synonymous with Gregory Peck.

“But this is a different Hornblower and the magic is very much the same – fancy uniforms, good guys and bad guys, lots of sailing ships and lot of blood and thunder. What more can one ask for?”

Hornblower was a series of historical films led by Hollywood star Ioan Gruffudd and was based on the three of the 10 novels written by C. S. Forester.

The drama followed the fictional title character Horatio Hornblower, a Royal Naval officer during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

The films ran on ITV from 1998 to 2003, and there were eight in total.

Other cast members included Robert Lindsay, Paul McGann, Paul Copley, Sean Gilder, and Jamie Bamber.

There were also some other big names who made appearances, including Denis Lawson, Ian McNeice, Samuel West, Cherie Lunghi, and Greg Wise.

Prior to the ITV films, there were other adaptations of Forester’s novels, with Hollywood star Gregory Peck taking on the character in the 1951 movie Captain Horatio Hornblower.

While David Buck starred in an American TV series as the character in 1963 and Michael Redgrave appeared in a radio adaptation in the 1950s

Hornblower is streaming on ITVX now

All Creatures Great and Small will return for a sixth series later this year, and ahead of the new instalment, 5 has released a first-look trailer

The wait is almost over for fans of All Creatures Great and Small, as the official release date for the sixth series has finally been announced.

In anticipation of its eagerly awaited return later this month, Channel 5 has unveiled a trailer teasing the sixth chapter of the critically acclaimed series.

Set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales during the mid-20th century, All Creatures Great and Small, based on the cherished books by James Herriot, centres on the lives of vets and their families.

The new series will kick off on Channel 5 on Thursday, 25th September, promising to deliver more “heartwarming human and animal tales” to viewers.

The official synopsis reveals: “But, this time, we find our beloved Skeldale gang in a somewhat different situation as we join them in 1945, just as the war in Europe is coming to a close.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.

“We arrive back in Darrowby to veterinary advancements, expanded families, and new faces as they all look ahead to a brighter and more peaceful future.

“This series will see Herriot’s wonderful characters navigating the opportunities that a new world brings, a host of animals great and small, and of course, each other.”

Nicholas Ralph will be returning to his role as vet James Herriot, with Samuel West reprising his part as Siegfried Farnon, James’ business partner.

Deadwater Fell star Anna Madeley will once again portray Mrs Hall, and Rachel Shenton will reprise her role as Helen Herriot, while Callum Woodhouse will continue to play Tristan Farnon.

Mrs Pumphrey will be portrayed by Patricia Hodge once more, whilst Tony Pitts makes his comeback as Richard Alderson alongside Imogen Clawson reprising her role as Jenny.

Fresh faces joining the All Creatures Great and Small lineup for the sixth series feature Hollyoaks favourite Lucy-Jo Hudson, Lord of the Rings’ Gaia Wise, Titanic legend Jonathan Hyde, Waterloo Road performer Martin Brown and The Feud’s Chris Gascoyne.

Viewers expressed their delight following the trailer’s debut, with one fan declaring: “Can’t wait! This is my FAVOURITE show,” whilst another enthused: “Can’t wait for the new season.

“Really hoping the show gets renewed for two more seasons like before. We need a show like this in today’s world. Heartfelt, fun, emotional, nice, charming and wonderful. Thank You!!”

All Creatures Great and Small series six will air from Thursday, 25 September at 9pm on 5. All other series are available to stream on 5.