Channel 5 has commissioned All Creatures Great and Small, for a third and fourth series.

Based on James Herriot’s iconic collection of stories, the critically acclaimed adaptation from Playground will return for two series consisting of six episodes (6 x 60”) each plus Christmas Specials respectively. MASTERPIECE on PBS in the US, which will air season 2 starting January 9,  will co-produce and All3Media International is the global partner.

All Creatures Great and Small will return to shoot on location in Yorkshire in the Spring for series three. Returning for the third series is Nicholas Ralph as young vet James Herriot, and Samuel West as his mentor Siegfried Farnon. Anna Madeley returns as the matriarch of Skeldale House, Mrs Hall, whilst Callum Woodhouse is Siegfried’s slowly maturing brother Tristan. Rachel Shenton returns as local farmer Helen Alderson and Patricia Hodge is back as Mrs Pumphrey.

Also returning for series three is lead writer and Executive Producer Ben Vanstone (The Last Kingdom). Joining Vanstone for the third installment is returning writer Chloë Mi Lin Ewart, who will write episodes two and four. Karim Khan has joined the writing team for episode five, and Jamie Crichton will write the script for episode six. Brian Percival (Downton Abbey) remains lead director and Executive Producer, and Richard Burrell (Alex Rider, Silent Witness) returns as Producer.

Series three and four were again commissioned by Deputy Director of Programmes, ViacomCBS Networks UK, Seb Cardwell; returning Executive Producers are Colin Callender and Melissa Gallant for Playground, Louise Pedersen and David Swetman for All3Media International and Rebecca Eaton and Susanne Simpson for MASTERPIECE. MASTERPIECE on PBS is presented by WGBH Boston.

On the double series order, Sebastian Cardwell, Channel 5 said: “It is clear that our viewers adore James Herriot’s adventures in Darrowby and so do we at Channel 5. I am looking forward to us all being reunited with the Skeldale House family when series three arrives on our screens this year.”

“Everyone at Playground wants to thank Masterpiece on PBS, Channel 5 and All3Media International for their support for the series. But most of all we want to thank the audience who have so fully embraced the new series. It is their vocal and loyal support that has resulted in this ongoing commitment to the series and we couldn’t be more delighted. It is a joy to produce the show but an even bigger joy to know that there is an audience all over the world hungry to revisit the world of Darrowby in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and to spend more time with the wonderful inhabitants of Skeldale House.”  says Sir Colin Callender CBE, Executive Producer and CEO of Playground.

“This is great news to our MASTERPIECE audience, who embraced this charming series and made it one of our most-watched shows. We look forward to what Ben Vanstone and Playground have planned for this wonderful ensemble of characters in seasons 3 and 4,” adds MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Susanne Simpson.

Executive Producer Louise Pedersen, CEO of All3Media International, commented: “All Creatures Great and Small has proven to be a perfect tonic for audiences around the world seeking a top quality production with a warm and positive  view of the world.  We are pleased to be able to offer  these further series to build the brand globally.”

Jon Creamer

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