TV Show review
Review basis: 6 seasons, 42 episodes · through December 24, 2025
September 1, 2020 · 50 min · TV-14 · Returning Series
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The show follows a young Scottish vet named James Herriot as he joins an eccentric practice in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1930s and works through the 1940s. It centers on caring for farm animals and the local people, along with the lives of his colleagues Siegfried and Tristan Farnon and housekeeper Mrs. Hall. The stories show rural community life, romance, daily work, and historical events like World War II in a straightforward way. Expanded roles for female characters support romance and emotional stories within the traditional period setting.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for All Creatures Great & Small.
Woke representation / casting
Core cast uses period-appropriate white British actors for the 1930s Yorkshire setting. Minor supporting roles feature some non-white characters in story-driven parts, such as a romance for Tristan. No prominent identity signaling or quota-style leads.
Woke political dialogue
Stories center on vet work, animal care, romance, and community life without activist language or modern identity messaging.
Identity-driven story themes
The narrative follows traditional rural adventures, human connections, and historical daily life from the source books.
Western institutional / cultural critique
The show presents historical life and community positively without reframing events through modern activist lenses.
Woke character or canon changes
Female supporting roles like Mrs Hall and Helen were expanded for more screen time and romance. These are standard adaptation choices, not identity-driven alterations to canon or historical figures.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
There was little to no audience or media complaint that the show pushes woke, DEI, or left-wing content. Pre-launch media spin about the BBC rejection framed the show as too traditional or white, which drew pushback from the producer.
Creator track record context
Colin Callender has produced many mainstream historical dramas and has spoken in favor of BBC funding. Lead writer Ben Vanstone emphasizes faithful adaptation of classic stories. Other creatives show no strong activist patterns.
Production
