It's Christmas in All Creatures Great and Small but with James and Tristan away helping the war effort, the mood at Skeldale House is subdued.

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And there's also the small matter of Helen, who is about to give birth any day now.

"An emotional phone call with a very pregnant Helen makes James determined to get back to her, but he doesn't have many options," reads the official synopsis. "James struggles to do the right thing. Will he find his way home in time for Christmas?"

Elsewhere, "Mrs Hall prepares a community Christmas celebration, whilst Siegfried and Carmody argue over who will be Father Christmas this year. Carmody is welcomed for his first Darrowby Christmas and finds himself enjoying it. James learns a very important lesson and is rewarded with a surprise".

Most of the series regulars have reprised their roles for the festive episode. Read on to find out who else stars in the All Creatures Great and Small 2023 Christmas special.

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All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special cast

  • Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot
  • Rachel Shenton as Helen Alderson
  • Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon
  • Anna Madeley as Mrs Audrey Hall
  • James Anthony-Rose as Richard Carmody
  • Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey
  • Imogene Clawson as Jenny Alderson
  • Tony Pitts as Richard Alderson
  • Sam Retford as FO Woodham
  • Antonio Galas as Michael Collins
  • Mollie Winnard as Maggie

Returning cast

Nicholas Ralph plays James Herriot

Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small.
Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small. Helen Williams / Playground Entertainment

Who is James Herriot? The iconic young Yorkshire vet, played by Christopher Timothy in the original 1970s television series. Working in rural Yorkshire in the 1930s and '40s, James struggles at first to adapt, but soon finds himself won over by both the community and animals he works with. He's currently away from Darrowby and his wife at an RAF training base.

Where have I seen Nicholas Ralph before? The Scottish actor makes his television debut in All Creatures Great and Small. He's previously performed at a variety of theatres in Scotland, in plays including Captain Amazing, Interference and Cinderella.

Rachel Shenton plays Helen Alderson

Rachel Shenton as Helen Alderson in All Creatures Great and Small.
Rachel Shenton as Helen Alderson in All Creatures Great and Small. Helen Williams / Playground Entertainment

Who is Helen Alderson? Helen is a local farmer's daughter who has been helping raise her little sister ever since the death of their mother. It's a hard life making a living from the farm, but Helen has a relentlessly positive can-do attitude. In season 1, she had a longstanding romance with landowner Hugh, but later broke things off to embark on a relationship with James. The two were married in the season 3 premiere and are now expecting their first child.

Where have I seen Rachel Shenton before? Two years ago, Shenton notably won an Oscar for Best Live Action short film, for The Silent Child. She's otherwise known for playing Anne "Mitzeee" Minniver in Hollyoaks, Joanne Scott in White Gold and Courtney in Waterloo Road. She recently appeared in Channel 5 drama For Her Sins with Jo Joyner.

Samuel West plays Siegfried Farnon

Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small.
Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small. Helen Williams / Playground Entertainment

Who is Siegfried Farnon? A wealthy and capricious veterinary surgeon who – reluctantly – hired the recently qualified James Herriot to become his assistant. Siegfried is also the proprietor of Skeldale House and its veterinary practice. He is a widower, and he also raised his younger brother Tristan after the death of their parents.

Where have I seen Samuel West before? The actor is no stranger to appearing in period dramas, having previously starred in the likes of Mr Selfridge (as Frank Edwards), On Chesil Beach and the Oscar-winning film Darkest Hour (as Sir Anthony Eden). His other credits also include The Crown (as Anthony Blunt), and the film Howards End. Just this year, he has also starred in The Midwich Cuckoos and Slow Horses.

Anna Madeley plays Mrs Hall

Anna Madeley plays Mrs Hall in All Creatures Great and Small
Anna Madeley plays Mrs Hall in All Creatures Great and Small. Channel 5

Who is Mrs Hall? The housekeeper of Skeldale House. Mrs Hall is a force to be reckoned with – often putting her employer in his place – but she is kind and loving at heart, and usually knows what's best. She previously left an abusive relationship and has a grown-up son called Edward who is somewhat elusive.

Where have I seen Anna Madeley before? The actress has previously starred opposite David Tennant in the acclaimed Deadwater Fell (as Kate), while also appearing in Patrick Melrose (as Cousin Mary), Silent Witness, The Crown (as Clarissa Eden), Mr Selfridge (as Miss Ravillious), Utopia (as Anya), Anatomy of a Scandal (as Ellie Frisk) and Secret Invasion.

James Anthony-Rose plays Richard Carmody

Carmody being bitten by a dog
James Anthony-Rose as Richard Carmody in All Creatures Great and Small Channel 5

Who is Richard Carmody? An undergraduate vet student who has been brought in ease the burden on Siegfried and James following Tristan's exit.

Where have I seen James Anthony-Rose before? He's had minor roles in Apple TV+ espionage drama Slow Horses and ITV period drama Belgravia.

Patricia Hodge plays Mrs Pumphrey

Patricia Hodge plays Mrs Pumphrey in All Creatures Great and Small: Series 2
Patricia Hodge plays Mrs Pumphrey in All Creatures Great and Small. Channel 5

Who is Mrs Pumphrey? A wealthy local resident and proud owner of an extremely spoilt Pekingese dog named Tricki Woo. Mrs Pumphrey was played by the late Dame Diana Rigg in the first season.

Where have I seen Patricia Hodge before? Olivier Award-winning actress Patricia Hodge is best known for starring in Miranda, Rumpole of the Bailey, Betrayal, The Life and Loves of a She-Devil and Hotel du Lac.

Imogene Clawson plays Jenny Alderson

Imogen Clawson as Jenny Alderson in All Creatures Great and Small.
Imogen Clawson as Jenny Alderson in All Creatures Great and Small. Helen Williams / Playground Entertainment

Who is Jenny Alderson? Jenny is the younger sister of Helen.

Where have I seen Imogene Clawson before? Imogene Clawson made her acting debut in the first season of All Creatures Great and Small as Jenny Alderson.

Tony Pitts plays Richard Alderson

Tony Pitts plays Richard Alderson in All Creatures Great and Small.
Tony Pitts plays Richard Alderson in All Creatures Great and Small.

Who is Richard Alderson? A farmer and widower, and the father of Helen and Jenny.

Where have I seen Tony Pitts before? You might recognise Pitts as Hargreaves from Line of Duty, or as Inspector Moss from Peaky Blinders. He's also been in Jamestown (as Edgar Massinger), Wild Bill (as Keith Metcalfe), MotherFatherSon (as Lennox), Giri/Haji (as Steve), My Mad Fat Diary (as Chloe's Dad) and Emmerdale (as Archie Brooks). On the big screen, he played Captain Pterro in Rogue One.

Sam Retford plays FO Woodham

Close-up of FO Woodham at the air base in his uniform
Sam Retford as FO Woodham in All Creatures Great and Small Channel 5

Who is FO Woodham? James's superior, who oversees proceedings at the RAF training base.

Where have I seen Sam Retford before? You might know him from Channel 4 comedy Ackley Bridge, Coronation Street and BBC drama Ralph and Katie.

There's also:

  • Antonio Galas (The Bay) as Michael Collins - his daughter's cat is missing
  • Mollie Winnard (Happy Valley, Coronation Strreet) as Maggie - a barmaid at The Drovers Arms

Is Tristan Farnon in the All Creatures Great and Small 2023 Christmas special?

Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small.
Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small. Helen Williams / Playground Entertainment

Following his absence from season 4, Callum Woodhouse does not appear in the 2023 Christmas special after his character was called up to serve in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

The All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special airs on Channel 5 at 9pm on Thursday 21st December, while seasons 1 to 4 are available to watch now on My5.

If you're looking for something else to watch, visit our TV Guide or take a look at the rest of our Drama coverage.

You can order James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small from Amazon.

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