New BEGINNINGS

NICHOLAS RALPH and RACHEL SHENTON on the changes ahead as their hit show jumps forward in time

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World War Two has brought triumphs and turmoil to the fictional Yorkshire Dales town of Darrowby in All Creatures Great and Small.

Now, as the sixth outing of 5's nostalgic vet drama begins, the action moves forward to May 1945 - nearly four years on from the events of the last series - and the conflict in Europe is coming to a close.

However, the intervening period has resulted in fresh developments for the dedicated residents of Skeldale House.

James Herriot (played by Nicholas Ralph) and loyal wife Helen (Rachel Shenton) are parents of two as young son Jimmy has a sister, Rosie.

Elsewhere, Tristan Farnon (Callum Woodhouse) arrives home from serving in Italy with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, and stalwart housekeeper Mrs Hall (Anna Madeley) has also had some time away.

Meanwhile, Tristan's big brother, irascible head vet Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West), has been busy causing ructions at the surgery.

Here, in an exclusive interview, Nicholas, 35, and Rachel, 37, tell TV Times about the new era ahead for their much-loved characters in the six-part run...

How did you feel about the story's time-hop?

NICHOLAS It felt like we could get bogged down if we kept going through the war years, so this is the beginning of the next chapter in their lives. All of them have changed. But now it's a return to basics, back to veterinary life.