Channel 5 fans of All Creatures Great and Small 'need' to watch incredible adaptation

If you've made your way through all four seasons of the family-favourite Channel 5 show, All Creatures Great and Small, there's no reason why you wouldn't love the original show that ran from 1978 all the way up until 1990. Set in Northern England during the 1930s, the story follows James Herriot as he's starting out his career as a vet in the Yorkshire Dales. When he joins the practice, he finds himself working alongside Siegfried Farnon, an eccentric character, and his brother, as well as their housekeeper, as he navigates the challenges of rural veterinary life.

The series, released in 2020, is a readaptation of the previous BBC show that ran for an impressive 90 episodes and garnered a real fan base of its own during the 1970s. Both series are based on the books by a real-life veterinary surgeon, Alf Wight, who published the books under the pseudonym of James Herriot, the shows' main character.

For many viewers, as much as they praise the new series, can't help but hold the original show close to their hearts and encourage fans to watch if they are yet to. One fan took to IMDb to say: "I saw an episode not too long ago, and I must say, the series hasn't lost its charm after all these years.

"It seems almost timeless, which in my opinion is one of the best compliments possible. The scenery in the series is breathtakingly beautiful, and the stories are charming, entertaining and very 'feel good'. Good memories!"

Many fans have left 10-star reviews of the site, claiming it's their favourite show, all these years later. Someone shared: "This television series is something special. It makes me laugh, brings a tear to my eye and puts a lump in my throat, often all in the same episode...

"Whenever I feel that I don't fit in this modern world and that All Creatures Great and Small was made for me alone, I know that I must have friends worldwide that I've never met, because we all love this show!"

Naturally, others have been quick to draw comparisons between the two shows. When talking about the newer 2020 series, they made it clear to say: "I wouldn't say that this is a remake of the BBC series. Rather, it's a new take on the books by James Herriot. And while the BBC series may be more faithful to the books, this series is basically what it says on the tin, 'based on'."

Therefore, if you're looking for a deeper dive into the stories you already know and love, it seems the original episodes offer further insight into the world Alf Wight created. At the time of its airing, the 1978 series occupied a slot on Sunday evenings and so at its peak, became a household staple for millions of families, as they fell in love with the English countryside setting.

Another reviewer claimed the original show is one of their favourites, writing: "The series is beautifully filmed, for instance, with picturesque scenery and lovely photography and period detail. The music is pleasant and memorable too, the writing is outstanding, making me laugh and cry, and the stories are compelling with seldom a dull moment.

For fans wanting to sink their teeth into the 1978 series, All Creatures Great and Small, all episodes are streaming for free on BBC iPlayer.