Behind the Scenes of All Creatures Great and Small

Speakers: Donna Metcalfe and Mark Roodhouse

How have the creators of Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small reimagined James Herriot’s Yorkshire Dales characters for 21st century audiences? Taking us into the writers’ room and onto set, the hit show’s script executive Donna Metcalfe reflects on the experience of readapting the books.

Based loosely on his experiences as a Dales vet from the 1930s to 1950s, the gently comic Herriot books pose unique opportunities and challenges for would-be adapters. For example, what do historical accuracy and authenticity mean when adapting semi-autobiographical books for the screen? And what licence is there to introduce new characters and storylines?

Donna discusses these issues and many others as she takes you behind the screen in conversation with the series’ historical consultant Mark Roodhouse of the University of York.

Image credit: Channel 5/Playground, photographer Jay Brooks

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Host or Publisher York Festival of Ideas