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The book dealt with Herriot's real-life experiences as a young veterinary surgeon in a Yorkshire farming community before the Second World War, many of them comical. Along with the series that followed, it became highly popular and in 1974 was made into a feature film of the same title, starring Simon Ward as James Herriot. Herriot's eccentric employer, Siegfried Farnon, was played by Anthony Hopkins.
In 1978, the BBC created a television series out of the books, again using the title, All Creatures Great and Small. The leading role was taken by an unknown actor, Christopher Timothy , and Siegfried Farnon was played by Robert Hardy (most recently seen as Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, in the Harry Potter movies). Siegfried's errant younger brother, Tristan Farnon, was played by Peter DavisonPeter Davison (born April 13, 1951) is a popular British actor, most commonly associated with the leading role in Doctor Who which he played from 1981 to 1984 (see List of Doctor Who serials). Davison's departure was regarded by many as the kiss of death, who became a household name as a result and went on take many other starring roles, notably as the fifth Doctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television series, produced by the BBC and concerning the adventures of a mysterious time travelling adventurer known only as The Doctor . It is also the title of a 1996 television movie featuring the same character.
The series ran for several years, but broke off at the stage where the characters were drawn into the war. After a break of a few years, the series was revived, carrying on the story after the war with the same cast - except that James's wife, Helen, was now played by Lynda BellinghamLynda Bellingham is an English actress. Her most famous role was in the 1980s as the head of the family in the Oxo television adverts. Other prominent roles included the James Herriot drama All Creatures Great and Small and the sit-com Second Thoughts''..