All Creatures Great and Small season 5 cast: Meet the characters

"With World War II now fully underway, Siegfried is taking up the slack at the surgery, Mrs Hall and Helen are considering their contribution within the community, and Carmody is eager to step up.

"Siegfried is keen to have everyone back, but Tristan's surprise return won't be quite as straightforward as he hoped."

Speaking about the return of Tristan following his absence from season 4, Nicholas Ralph said: "I've said it time and time again that the show missed Tristan, and we missed Callum.

"It's just wonderful to have him back and always a treat to work with Callum. Any scenes we have together were brilliant and a lot of fun."

Read more:

• All Creatures star rejects criticism story is "boring": "It’s the opposite"
• All Creatures star teases Tristan and Carmody's dynamic: 'They're opposites'

He went on to say that "Tristan, as a character, means so much to so many people within the house, so it was a joy having him back."

Find out more about the rest of this season's cast below.

All Creatures Great and Small season 5 cast

The main cast of All Creatures Great and Small is made up of the following:

• Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot
• Rachel Shenton as Helen Alderson
• Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon
• Callum Woodhouse as Tristan 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

For more information about who the cast play and what else they've starred in, read on.

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. At the beginning of season 5, James is away from his wife and son Jimmy, who was born in the Christmas special, 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

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 couple married in the season 3 premiere and in the 2023 festive episode, Helen gave birth to a baby boy, Jimmy.

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. Siegfried has since taken on an assistant in Tristan and James's absence, which has been an adjustment for him.

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.

Callum Woodhouse plays Tristan Farnon

Who is Tristan Farnon? Siegfried's younger brother, who is also a vet and has been away serving in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. But he's returning in season 5. Tristan is a charmer and doesn't take life too seriously, which has led to a number of clashes with Siegfried over the years.

What have I seen Callum Woodhouse in before? Prior to All Creatures, he was best known for another period drama, ITV's The Durrells.

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. Mrs Hall previously enjoyed a very sweet romance with a man called Gerald, but he has since left Darrowby to care for his sick sister.

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

Who is Richard Carmody? An undergraduate vet student who has been brought in ease the burden on Siegfried and James following Tristan's exit. In season 5, Carmody takes on more responsibility at work.

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

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.

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 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.

Additional cast includes:

• Samir Mahat (Sex Education) as Banerjee and Luke Hammond as Hibbert – James's flight crew.
• Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso) as Mr Bosworth – a colonel who's coordinating war preparation efforts in Darrowby.
• Simon Paisley Day (This England) as Wing Commander Whiteley.
• Callum Coates (Grantchester) as Medical Officer Reid.
• Caroline O'Neill (Endeavour) as Dot Fawcett – a Darrowby local who's recuperating from a hysterectomy. She has a black cat called Frisk.
• George Potts (Ackley Bridge) as Mr Edwards – a farmer.

All Creatures Great and Small seasons 1-4 are available to watch on My5. Season 5 will air on Thursday 19th September at 9pm on Channel 5 and My5. You can order James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small from Amazon.

If you're looking for something else to watch, visit our TV Guide or take a look at the rest of our Drama coverage. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.