Entertainment

Rachel Shenton looks jovial as she films scenes for All Creatures Great And Small reboot


She’s starring in the reboot of the much-loved series All Creatures Great And Small.

And Rachel Shenton, 31, was pictured on location on Thursday in North Yorkshire, as she shot scenes for the six-part Channel 5 remake.

Rachel plays Helen Alderson – who eventually becomes Helen Herriot – in the rebooted series, and stars alongside Nicolas Ralph as the famous vet and Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon. 

On location: Rachel Shenton looked thrilled to be in Yorkshire on Thursday, as she shot scenes for the six-part Channel 5 remake of All Creatures Great And Small, which is set to air in 2020

On location: Rachel Shenton looked thrilled to be in Yorkshire on Thursday, as she shot scenes for the six-part Channel 5 remake of All Creatures Great And Small, which is set to air in 2020

Taking shelter: The Oscar-winner stood under an umbrella between takes on location in the rural village and pulled a big smile as she prepared to get to work

Taking shelter: The Oscar-winner stood under an umbrella between takes on location in the rural village and pulled a big smile as she prepared to get to work 

The original All Creatures Great And Small ran from 1978-1990 and was based on vet and author James Herriot’s memoirs. 

In the original show, James Herriot was played by Christopher Timothy for all seven seasons, which aired for 90 episodes.

The Oscar-winner – who this time last year announced she had quietly married her former Hollyoaks co-star Chris Overton – sheltered under an umbrella between takes on location in the rural village.  

New role: Rachel plays Helen in the rebooted series and wore a vintage hairstyle for filming

New role: Rachel plays Helen in the rebooted series and wore a vintage hairstyle for filming

Taking the air: The 31-year-old wrapped up against the Autumn chill in costume as she stood outside Darrowby Cycle Stores

Taking the air: The 31-year-old wrapped up against the Autumn chill in costume as she stood outside Darrowby Cycle Stores 

Take ONE: She took to Instagram last month to share this picture and announce her casting in the series, which she was over the moon about

Take ONE: She took to Instagram last month to share this picture and announce her casting in the series, which she was over the moon about

She wrapped up against the Autumn chill in costume – which featured a pale green windbreaker and black trousers.

Her brunette locks were styled in bouncy waves and her make-up was kept basic for the countryside scenes, taking place in Grassington Square near Skipton.

Meanwhile, Rachel took to Instagram last month to announce her casting in the series, which she was over the moon about. 

One year on: This time last year Rachel announced she had quietly married her former Hollyoaks co-star Chris Overton

One year on: This time last year Rachel announced she had quietly married her former Hollyoaks co-star Chris Overton

The man himself: James Herriot wrote novels based on his experiences with animals as a vet and Rachel is thrilled to be involved with the project

The man himself: James Herriot wrote novels based on his experiences with animals as a vet and Rachel is thrilled to be involved with the project 

The old days: Actors Christopher Timothy and Robert Hardy are pictured on set in 1979

The old days: Actors Christopher Timothy and Robert Hardy are pictured on set in 1979

Alongside a snap of a TV clapper board, she wrote: ‘So excited that I can finally say I’m working on ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL for @masterpiecepbs… 

‘I’m also excited that I can now freely spam your feed with pictures of various farm animals #dreamjob #imallabouttheanimals #1937 #yorkshire’

Helen and now-husband Chris celebrated a mammoth year in their professional and private lives last year.

They took home the Academy Award for Best Short Film (Live Action) for their production The Silent Child, tying the knot later in 2018.  

Sage advice: Rachel was seen wearing a pale green windbreaker and black trousers as she chatted to a co-star

Sage advice: Rachel was seen wearing a pale green windbreaker and black trousers as she chatted to a co-star

Rural: The countryside scenes were taking place in Grassington Square near Skipton

Rural: The countryside scenes were taking place in Grassington Square near Skipton

Also cast: Rachel stars alongside Callum Woodhouse as Tristan who looked smart in a tweed suit

A light read: He was pictured sprinting across the set with a giant book under his arm

Also cast: Rachel stars alongside Callum Woodhouse as Tristan who looked smart in a tweed suit

Original: Pictured L-R are Rebecca Smith, Christopher Timothy, the late Lynda Bellingham and Oliver Wilson, seen in January 1988

Original: Pictured L-R are Rebecca Smith, Christopher Timothy, the late Lynda Bellingham and Oliver Wilson, seen in January 1988

Helen was played by Carol Drinkwater (seasons 1–3) and Lynda Bellingham (seasons 4–7) while Siegfried Farnon was played by Robert Hardy and Tristan Farnon by Peter Davison.

The series spun off from a film adaptation of the books in 1975, which starred Anthony Hopkins.

This is the second time the show has been revived; its original three-season run ran from 1978-1980 and 1988-1990 saw four more seasons follow.

It was announced this year that Channel 5 would be remaking it into a six-part series and will air in 2020 to mark the 50th anniversary of Herriot’s books, with a festive special at Christmastime.

A co-production with the American broadcaster PBS, The Channel 5 remake is set in 1937.

Beloved: The final season was shot in 1990 in Grinton, North Yorkshire [pictured L-R Christopher Timothy, Robert Hardy, Penny the dog and Peter Davison]

Beloved: The final season was shot in 1990 in Grinton, North Yorkshire [pictured L-R Christopher Timothy, Robert Hardy, Penny the dog and Peter Davison]

Cast and crew: The actors donned typical attire for the 1930s setting

Cast and crew: The actors donned typical attire for the 1930s setting

Cast and crew: The actors donned typical attire for the 1930s setting

Star role: Nicolas Ralph plays vet James Herriot

Star role: Nicolas Ralph plays vet James Herriot

Chit chat: The actors shot the breeze between takes in the village square

Chit chat: The actors shot the breeze between takes in the village square

Sebastian Cardwell, the digital channel controller at Channel 5, said: ‘James Herriot has a special place in the heart of the public and the commission of this iconic drama series, against the stunning backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales, is set to bring joy to a new army of TV viewers.

‘The original books affectionately captured a unique slice of British life. In challenging times we hope the charming and heartwarming stories of community and compassion will resonate with new audiences.’

The reboot comes as Herriot’s real-life son, 76-year-old Jim Wight, locked horns with Sue Paterson, the new president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), who said his father’s novels portray vets as people who can be called on anytime and paid with slices of cake.

She said: ‘I think James Herriot is to blame because we’re all supposed to love animals and work for nothing, but we all run businesses. All the Herriot stuff about a cat being ill and the owner cuts him a big slab of chocolate cake and he doesn’t charge her – well, it’s a hard business nowadays.’

Vintage: The set was peppered with props reflective of the time setting

Vintage: The set was peppered with props reflective of the time setting

Sebastian Cardwell, the digital channel controller at Channel 5, said: 'James Herriot has a special place in the heart of the public and the commission of this iconic drama series'

Sebastian Cardwell, the digital channel controller at Channel 5, said: ‘James Herriot has a special place in the heart of the public and the commission of this iconic drama series’

Reboot: A co-production with the American broadcaster PBS, The Channel 5 remake is set in 1937

Reboot: A co-production with the American broadcaster PBS, The Channel 5 remake is set in 1937

Jim told The Express: ‘I was very put out because it seemed so ridiculous. I was seething with anger, in fact. It is nonsensical to say he is out of date. You might equally say Winston Churchill is out of date. My father is an iconic and historic figure, and to compare veterinary practice in those days to now is completely unrealistic.

‘He gave free treatment to a tiny portion of his clientele who were in genuine hardship; it was a charitable and Christian act. He started with no money at all.

‘It is a different world, and you cannot compare the two. It is so unfair to blame that man for the woes of our profession today. Of course his scientific training may be dated, but his compassionate, careful and thorough approach is never going to be out of date.’ 

Jim and his sister Rosie approved the 2020 reboot and said of it: ‘The scripts are very interesting and the public will find them entertaining!’ 

Way back when: Rachel and Chris met on the set of Hollyoaks in 2010

Way back when: Rachel and Chris met on the set of Hollyoaks in 2010

Success: They went on to win the Best Live Action Short Film Oscar for The Silent Child at the 90th Annual Academy Awards in 2018

Success: They went on to win the Best Live Action Short Film Oscar for The Silent Child at the 90th Annual Academy Awards in 2018



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