All Creatures Great and Small cast's off-screen style – including Samuel West, Rachel Shenton and more


As the popular Channel 5 show returns once again with a sixth season, we take a look at what the cast are wearing when the cameras stop rolling


Nicholas Ralph, Anna Madeley, Rachel Shenton and Callum Woodhouse all standing in a line© Getty Images
Nicky MorrisActing TV and Film Editor
Abby AllenTV writer
October 16, 2025
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All Creatures Great and Small has fast become one of Channel 5's most-loved dramas, and it's not hard to see why. The comforting period show transports us back to 1940s Yorkshire and follows the adventures of veterinary surgeon James Herriot, his wife Helen and their friends at Skeldale Hall. But it's not all denim overalls, lab coats and tweed button-up suits for the cast of the hit series. Away from the quaint village of Darrowby, Rachel Shenton, Nicholas Ralph, Samuel West and the rest of the cast couldn't look more different from their characters. As we return to Darrowby for season six, find out what the stars look like out of costume below…

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© © Channel 5/Instagram

Nicholas plays vet James

Nicholas Ralph

Nicholas leads the cast as James Herriot, who often sports a classic 1940s slicked-back hair look and in season five, donned an RAF uniform after joining the war effort. 

In real life, James' appearance is much more casual, with his hair loose and pushed to the side. 

On what he likes most about playing James, Nicholas told PBS: "As an actor, what I love is, because it's based on real people, these characters are so three dimensional and the relationships are so strong, that it’s so much fun to play. 

"I get to play James in a multitude of scenarios, varying emotions – it's never just two-dimensional. He's never just 'the funny guy' or 'this guy.' It’s a wonderful scope and a range, so it's brilliant because it's such a challenge, and every day is different."

WATCH: All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 Trailer

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© © Channel 5/Getty

Rachel actually matches her season 6 look with this floral dress

Rachel Shenton

While Helen often opts for a practical wardrobe with denim overalls and a tweed blazer, her real-life counterpart likes to have fun with her fashion.

Unlike Helen, Rachel tends to wear her brunette locks loose over her shoulders while sporting a bold red lip. 

Revealing her favourite item of Helen's, Rachel said: "She wears dungarees with this cute little waist belt and headband. I'm like, 'Oh, that's so good.' So more dungarees for me, definitely."

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© Channel 5/Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Samuel plays the eccentric Siegfried

Samuel West

Samuel's real-life look couldn't be more different from his on-screen character, who frequently sports tweed blazers with silk ties and lab coats. 

According to the show's costume designer, Samuel requested that Siegfried shouldn't look "too smart". Ros Little told PBS: "With Sam, when we first talked about this series, he said, 'I don't want to be too smart. I should be a bit shabby.' I said, 'Well, good. Because you would be,' because I’d spoken to people like older vets I'd made contact with."

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© © Channel 5/Getty

Anna plays Mrs Hall

Anna Madeley

While Mrs Hall often sports practical outfits for her housekeeping duties, Anna's real-life look is much more chic. 

The actress is frequently pictured wearing her locks loose while donning a stylish dress for red-carpet appearances. 

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© © Channel 5/Instagram

Callum plays Siegfried's brother, Tristan

Callum Woodhouse

While viewers are used to seeing Callum wearing knitted jumpers and a slicked-back side-parting for his role in the show, in real life the actor lets his curls go free and is often pictured wearing stylish shirts and jackets. 

All Creatures Great and Small season 6 landed on Channel 5 on 25 September, and is available to stream on My5 now.

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