Family MATTERS

RACHEL SHENTON and NICHOLAS RALPH on the challenges ahead as their characters settle into parenthood

- CAREN CLARK

When Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton join TV Times for an exclusive chat about All Creatures Great and Small, they can’t quite believe that they are set to bring us a fifth series of tales centred around the lives and loves of Skeldale House’s dedicated residents.

‘Half a decade we’ve been working on this show,’ beams Nicholas, 34, who made his TV debut in the role of caring vet James Herriot when the Channel 5 period drama launched in 2020. ‘But what a treat it’s been!’

‘Yes, it’s lovely,’ agrees Rachel, 36, who plays James’ spirited wife, Helen. ‘We’re telling stories about community, togetherness and love that’ll never age.’

As the six-parter begins, World War Two is fully under way and spring 1941 is bringing change for the Herriots, who are now parents to baby Jimmy. But with James serving at RAF Abingdon, Helen must hold the fort at home in the (fictional) Yorkshire village of Darrowby.

Here, Nicholas and Rachel tell us more…

Where do we find Helen and James at the start of Series 5?

RACHEL With James off at war, Helen’s navigating motherhood single-handedly, although she has support from the surrogate Skeldale House family.