‘All Creatures Great and Small’ is being rebooted with a new television adaptation.
The show – which ran for seven series from 1978 to 1990 and starred the likes of Peter Davison, Christopher Timothy and Robert Hardy – was based on vet James Herriot’s classic books, and Channel 5 is now planning a revival next year for the 50th anniversary of 1970 novel ‘If Only They Could Talk’.
The broadcaster will air six hour-long episodes and a Christmas special.
The cast is yet to be confirmed, but ‘Downton Abbey’ director Brian Percival will helm the project.
Producers have promised to remain faithful to the novels, which have never gone out of print and have sold more than 60 million copies to date.
TV company Playground’s Colin Callender said: "It’s a responsibility we take very seriously.
"It will embrace the nostalgia of revisiting the England of the past, while celebrating Herriot’s values that still underpin British life today."
Masterpiece’s Rebecca Heaton vowed to keep the "quirky charm of the original" series.
She added: "We promise the new series will have all the wit, warmth, and quirky charm of the original – and of course, lots of irresistible animals."
Channel 5’s Sebastian Cardwell said: "We hope the heart-warming stories of community and compassion will resonate with new audiences."
Filming is set to start in Yorkshire this year, while it’s not yet known if surviving original cast members Christopher, 78, or Peter, 68, will reprise their respective roles as James Herriot and Tristan Farnon.
All Creatures Great and Small to be revived in 2020
