COMFORT JOY

As All Creatures Great and Small leads our cracking Christmas preview, star NICHOLAS RALPH reveals why fans are in for a tree-mendous treat

- WORDS: CAREN CLARK

The festive specials of 5’s hit period drama All Creatures Great and Small always sparkle with nostalgic magic – and this year’s upcoming seasonal trip to Skeldale House looks set to be no exception.

Now that the devastating days of World War Two are over, the residents of the fictional Yorkshire village of Darrowby are hoping to celebrate Yuletide 1945 in style. While dedicated vet and dad of two James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) is helping out poorly wife Helen (Rachel Shenton) by taking over nativity duties, housekeeper Mrs Hall (Anna Madeley) is trying to secure a turkey, Tristan Farnon (Callum Woodhouse) is seeking the perfect tree, and sick goat Hilda is causing chaos for Tristan’s big brother Siegfried (Samuel West).

‘It’s a wonderful Christmassy episode that will make you feel warm inside because it’s got a bit of everything,’ promises Nicholas, 35, as he joins TV Times for an exclusive chat. ‘I always get asked about the Christmas special. People look forward to it and love it! It’s gorgeous that viewers want to tune in.’

Here, Nicholas tells us more...

This will be the sixth festive edition of All Creatures. What can we expect?

The prominent themes are community, togetherness, joy and humour. But there is also pathos and loss. That’s what All Creatures does well – you have laughs, then it turns on a dime into something emotional.

With it being the first Christmas after the war, all the Darrowby regulars must be keen to make it extra special...

Yes, although wanting it to be the best Christmas ever can come with pressures. But that festive spirit is there. The community pulls together because they’ve just come out of this long five years and they want it to be memorable.