Todas las criaturas grandes y pequeñas

People like me of a certain age grew up with the wildly popular books and TV series in the 70's so there are some who will never accept a re-filming of this tale of a vet in post WW1 North Yorkshire. I happen to live near there and know people who actually knew Alf Wight who wrote the books in which he renamed himself 'James Herriot'. Channel 5 who made this already produce 'The Yorkshire Vet' reality show which features the same vets practice still working today along with 'The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard' which features our local preserved steam railway (The North Yorkshire Moors Railway). As such Channel 5 already have a 'track record' (groans) of filming up here and this series has been on the cards for a while. The only question was 'Would this be up to the standard of the original?'. One episode in and I'd have to give it a resounding 'Yes!'. Don't expect complex plots or action chases in this unless you include angry 1 ton+ bulls or roller-coaster local roads traversed in 1930's cars with dodgy brakes. Just instead enjoy the Yorkshire scenery pretty much unchanged since the time it is set populated with little 'feel-good' stories of veterinary life among the very wily Yorkshire folk. It really still is pretty much like this today and the people haven't changed much either...

It's difficult these days to find a series that does not have violence or sex as main components of the storyline. Not that I don't enjoy that too. But this series is wonderful with a nice story, well acted, transporting the viewer to a different time. Very enjoyable.

I don't write reviews often but just wanted to say I love this show it's a joy to watch.

I remember watching the original BBC series and worries this wouldn't be as good but it is and maybe even a bit better.

The acting is great and the scenery is wonderful in these uncertain times it's an hour of joy.

Lovely to see the mesmerising Dame Diana Rigg.

I honestly didn't want to watch this, although my wife persuaded me to sit down and watch, and by jiminy do I love it. It reminds me weirdly of death in paradise, they are in no way alike, but after watching both shows you realise that you are just that little bit happier than you were an hour ago. It's just good old fashioned feel good programming.

WELL DONE CHANNEL FIVE, you have made me quite a happy chap

The BBC apparently turned down the opportunity of making this programme/series as it did not tick the correct boxes for their target audience. What a big mistake. Yes it is a remake and that is always risky but so far it's been like a breath of fresh air. There's no politics, no social agenda, it's just pure family entertainment set in a beautiful part of England.