All Creatures Great and Small: Classic Christmas special to air on BBC - what to expect
The BBC will be showing a classic episode of All Creatures Great and Small this weekend! 🐑📺
- All Creatures Great and Small is a true family favourite.
- The BBC will be treating fans to a classic Christmas episode.
- But when can you watch it and what to expect?
Nothing says Christmas quite like a special episode of All Creatures Great and Small. The modern version treated viewers to a festive feast just before the big day - but there will be a little dessert for fans this weekend.
The BBC will be airing one of the classic holiday episodes from the original TV adaptation. It means there is another James Herriot adventure to look forward to.
Viewers have been told when exactly the Christmas favourite is on - and how to watch it. Here’s all you need to know:
BBC to show classic All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special
In the 2020s, audiences might associate the beloved historical drama with 5 - since it is home of the modern adaptation. However, for decades in the 20th century, it was the BBC who were home to the popular show.
The original adaptation of James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small books was broadcast between 1978 and 1990. It featured Christopher Timothy as main character and featured 90 episodes in total.
Just like last year, the BBC has dived into the archives to pull out one of the classic episodes. It will be showing the 1990 Christmas special Brotherly Love - which was actually the last episode.
It is Christmas 1953 and Tristan has taken up bell-ringing, but all might not be jolly. A case of foot-and-mouth threatens to ruin the holidays.
The cast included:
- James Herriot - Christopher Timothy
- Siegfried Farnon - Robert Hardy
- Tristan Farnon - Peter Davison
- Helen Herriot - Lynda Bellingham
- Mrs Alton - Jean Heywood
- Mr Biggs - John Sharp
- Jonathan Bradley - David Ellison
- David Bradley - Sydney Livingstone
- Mrs Bradley - Megs Jenkins
- Linda Marston - Dee Sadler
What time is All Creatures Great and Small on today?
The classic Christmas episode is set to be broadcast this evening (December 27), it has been confirmed. It is due to start at 7pm and will run for a lengthy 90 minutes.
All Creatures Great and Small is due to finish at around 8.30pm tonight. It is also set to be repeated at 1.40am on Sunday (December 28).
How to watch All Creatures Great and Small today?
Unlike the modern series, this classic episode is set to be broadcast by the BBC. It will be on BBC Four, which can be found on channel nine on your TV guide.
For those who can’t watch it live, it will also be available to watch on demand via iPlayer afterwards. The on demand service also has 87 of the 90 episodes, if you want to enjoy even more - including the 1978 Christmas special Merry Gentlemen.
What did you think of the 2025 All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special? See how to watch it here, if you missed it as it was broadcast.