‘Masterpiece’ British period drama hailed as ‘better than Call the Midwife’
Fans of British period dramas have singled out All Creatures Great and Small as a standout series, with some even declaring it better than Call the Midwife. The much-loved Channel 5 drama has won praise for its warmth, humour, memorable characters and beautiful portrayal of life in the Yorkshire Dales.
With season seven on the way, enthusiasm for the series remains strong. The show is a 2020 adaptation of the original All Creatures Great and Small, which first aired on the BBC in 1978. Both versions are based on the 1972 autobiographical memoir by British vet James Alfred Wight, better known by his pen name, James Herriot.
A heartwarming story set in the Yorkshire Dales
The series follows newly qualified veterinarian James Herriot after he lands a job working in the Yorkshire Dales. Set in the 1930s, the drama charts his early experiences as a country vet as he gets to know his colleagues, the local community and the animals in his care.
The combination of rural life, gentle humour and personal relationships has helped the series develop a loyal following. Its appeal has also drawn comparisons with Call the Midwife, another long-running British period drama that has built a devoted audience.
Call the Midwife, which first arrived on television in 2012, follows a group of nurse-midwives working in the impoverished East End of London. The story spans the changing social landscape of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
While the two shows explore very different communities and professions, viewers have found a similar sense of warmth and nostalgia in both.
Fans praise the Channel 5 favourite
For some viewers, however, All Creatures Great and Small has emerged as the clear favourite.
One fan described the series as a “heartwarming comfort show” and said they loved it more than Call the Midwife, giving it a full 10/10.
Another viewer wrote: “Totally recommended. Sweet story, great characters. Couldn’t love it more. Now who knows how long I’ll have to wait for the next season!”
The show’s ability to recreate a bygone period has also been praised. One fan said they “absolutely love this programme”, adding that it beautifully captures a “hard but simpler time” and does justice to the way James Herriot portrayed the era in his books.
Another viewer highlighted how closely the remake remains connected to its literary roots.
“The new ACG&S is fantastic,” they said, praising the series for keeping “to the spirit of the books”. They also noted that the remake brings more humour to the story, while the main cast were described as “perfect for their roles”.
For that fan, the Yorkshire Dales scenery was another major attraction, with the combination of the setting, characters and humour making the show “one of the hits of the year.”
Other viewers were equally enthusiastic, with one calling the series “such a masterpiece” and praising its storytelling, casting and views as a fitting tribute to Herriot’s books.
Another described it as one of the most wonderful series they had watched, praising its warmth, humour and uplifting characters. The Yorkshire countryside was again singled out, with the viewer describing it as breathtaking and saying the show had a comforting quality that simply made them feel good.
Seasons seven and eight are on the way
There is good news for viewers already looking ahead to more of the drama. All Creatures Great and Small has been renewed for both seasons seven and eight.
Each season will consist of six one-hour episodes, accompanied by the show’s annual Christmas Specials.
The exact premiere date for season seven has yet to be confirmed. Production on the new episodes has already begun, although details about the upcoming storylines are being kept under wraps.
For fans who have come to regard All Creatures Great and Small as one of television’s most comforting period dramas, the wait for its return is already underway.