Women's Health February 22, 2026 0 Comments

Behind the Scenes of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’: The Unexpected Challenges and Heartwarming Moments with the Animals You’ll Never Guess!

Have you ever wondered what it truly takes to bring a beloved story about animals—and more than a few eccentric characters—to life on screen? Well, let me tell you, All Creatures Great and Small isn’t just your average cozy drama set against the idyllic Yorkshire Dales backdrop. It’s a full-on, behind-the-scenes adventure where the cast doesn’t just pretend to interact with animals—they get nose-to-nose with everything from slithery snakes to massive bulls that would make even the toughest vet think twice. Based on James Herriot’s cherished novels, this international phenomenon goes beyond beautiful scenery and heartwarming scripts; it’s a testament to real animal teamwork, trust-building, and a bit of wild unpredictability that keeps the actors on their toes. Curious how they handle these furry, feathered—and sometimes downright daunting—co-stars? Dive into what it really means to work alongside these creatures in a world where every wagging tail and cautious nuzzle carries the magic of authenticity. LEARN MORE

All Creatures Great and Small has become something of an international phenomenon. Based on the novels by James Herriot, the series chronicles the day-to-day of a veterinary surgeon making a living in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales at a clinic run by the eccentric Siegfried Farnon. Also joining their adventures are Siegfried’s brother, Tristan, as well as fan-favorites like Mrs. Hall, Helen and Jenny. While it’s of course the beautiful scenery, heartwarming storylines and overall cozy feeling of this series that make it such a hit, it’s really the animals at the heart of the show. From snakes to parrots to bulls, the actors and actresses who bring this show to life have had to get up close and personal with creatures both cute and creepy over the course of the show’s run. Here, read all about what goes into handling the animals on the set of All Creatures Great and Small, as well as what the cast has said about bringing this series to life alongside them.

The ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ cast works closely with the animals on set

Though television and movie magic can make certain things on screen come to life, when it comes to All Creatures Great and Small, what you’re seeing is as real as it gets. Jill Clark is an animal handler who, alongside her son Dean, runs 1st Choice Animals. While illustrating James Herriot’s heartwarming story on screen is of course one of the main priorities, for Jill, making sure the animals are as comfortable and well taken care of as possible is most important to her. Though Clark didn’t grow up around animals or pets, she’s developed a deep love and admiration for them that continues to grow with each passing year—and how she managed to get into this particular profession is a rather funny story!

As revealed in conversation with PBS Masterpiece, the animal handler was working at a dog training school when she received a call with a peculiar request. On the other end was an agent, asking if she’d be able to train a dog to bite a postman. “They were doing an ad campaign about dogs biting postmen and they actually wanted to put postmen being bitten on their poster! So I had a little border collie that used to do a lot of man work, and I trained it to just nip the end of the trouser leg and pull. I did that, and then we had to do a reshoot, and then they asked me to go on and do a feature film.” And the rest is history!

For Jill, building trust with the animals and keeping them happy and comfortable takes priority. She and her team are careful to ensure no animal is being overworked, stressed or agitated—and that they receive plenty of treats and positive reinforcement! “If you watch all the animals on here, the tails are wagging, they’re happy, and they’re natural. They’re not scared of anything, because we haven’t put them into a position where they would be scared about anything, and they have total trust in us,” she explains.

The ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ cast has enjoyed getting to know their furry friends

Though working alongside cats and dogs is light work, it’s the bigger—and more exotic—animals that have given the cast of All Creatures Great and Small a run for their money. Rachel Shenton recalled to PBS Masterpiece one of her earliest experiences on set working with a two-ton bull. “I had to handle him myself. Had to look like I did it every day. I was absolutely terrified. I was really proud of myself in that moment,” she recalled.

Rachel Shenton, Jester as Clive the bull, All Creatures Great and Small, 2021©PBS/Playground Television/All3Media Intl. / Courtesy Everett Collection

Samuel West, on the other hand, reflected back on a more frightening interaction he had with a royal python, where he had to learn how to breathe through his nose downward. “If they get too much carbon dioxide in the space in front of their tongue, they get nervous and strike,” he remembered.

From Jill Clark’s dedication behind the scenes to the cast’s willingness to face their fears (and two-ton bulls!), All Creatures Great and Small is a true labor of love. Every wagging tail, gentle nuzzle, and even nerve-wracking encounter with exotic creatures adds to the authentic magic that makes this show so special.