All Creatures Great and Small season 4 cast: Meet the characters
Nicholas Ralph plays the iconic Yorkshire vet alongside series co-stars Samuel West, Anna Madeley and Rachel Shenton.
If you're looking for a comfort watch, there's simply nothing better than All Creatures Great and Small, which is back on our screens for season 4.
"We are thrilled to be back in the glorious Yorkshire Dales for a fourth season of family, community and, of course, animal hijinks," said exec producer and CEO of Playground Sir Colin Callender CBE.
"Our wonderful cast and crew are all delighted to be returning to adapt more of James Herriot's joyful and life-affirming stories."
The action unfolds in 1940, with Winston Churchill in office and the situation in Europe continuing to deteriorate.
Meanwhile at Skeldale House, James and Helen are now "happily married", and some new recruits have also arrived on the scene due to Tristan's absence, which shakes up proceedings.
Read on to find out about the new and established cast of All Creatures Great and Small.
All Creatures Great and Small season 4 cast
- Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot
- Rachel Shenton as Helen Alderson
- Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon
- Anna Madeley as Mrs Audrey Hall
- Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey
- Imogene Clawson as Jenny Alderson
- Tony Pitts as Richard Alderson
- Will Thorp as Gerald Hammond
- Cleo Sylvestre MBE as Anne Chapman
- Neve McIntosh as Miss Harbottle
- James Anthony-Rose as Richard Carmody
- Paul Copley
- James Bolam MBE
- Sam Retford
Returning cast
Nicholas Ralph plays James Herriot
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.
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
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 one, 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.
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
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
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.
Recently, Mrs Hall has developed a heartfelt friendship with Gerald Hammond (Will Thorp), and Madeley has spoken about the potential for this to blossom into something more.
"I think you've seen her go on a bit of a journey," she began. "He has opened her mind up to the idea that – [although] she's still technically married – there might be life on the other side of that if she chose to pursue it.
"And I think that's too much for her at the moment. But I think he's been all out and made himself vulnerable and she hasn't quite taken up the offer."
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.
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Patricia Hodge plays Mrs Pumphrey
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
Who is Jenny Alderson? Jenny is the younger sister of Helen Alderson.
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
Who is Richard Alderson? A farmer and widower, and the father of Helen Alderson and little Jenny Alderson (Imogene Clawson).
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.
Additional cast include:
- Will Thorp (Casualty) as Gerald Hammond - he previously shared a kiss with Mrs Hall
- Cleo Sylvestre (Crossroads) MBE plays Anne Chapman - an elderly woman living in the village
New cast
- Neve McIntosh (Shetland) as Miss Harbottle - the new bookkeeper
- James Anthony-Rose (Slow Horses) as Richard Carmody - undergraduate vet student
- Paul Copley (Coronation Street)
- James Bolam MBE (New Tricks)
- Sam Retford (Ackley Bridge)
Is Tristan Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small season 4?
Callum Woodhouse's character will not appear in season 4 after he was called up to serve in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
All Creatures Great and Small seasons 1 to 3 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.
Like this? You might want to try Outlander. Available now on Lionsgate+.
You can order James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small from Amazon.
Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
