Will James Herriot Be Called to War? All Creatures Great and Small's Nicholas Ralph on What's Next
The character's future seems to be up in the air.
The story of veterinarian James Herriot working in the lush greenery of the English countryside in the 1930s became the perfect feel-good show for millions of people on both sides of the Atlantic, as its cosy nature proved just what the doctor ordered for those long pandemic years.
And while the third series featured the same characters and continued previous storylines, the overall mood of this instalment proved to be more sombre as World War II shattered the idyll of the Yorkshire Dales.
In last season's finale, Tristan Farnon left his friends and family to fight in the war in a display of loyalty to his country, breaking fans' hearts. Callum Woodhouse, who plays Tristan, has already revealed that his character won't be returning for the upcoming Season 4, leaving fans worried that other characters from the show might be drafted to fight the Nazis, as well.
Of course, James Herriot seemed like a perfect fit for the draft, as his pilot training and perfect scores made him an ideal soldier before his medical condition prevented him from taking to the skies. However, the war may change that, and he may be asked to join the RAF, and even Nicholas Ralph himself doesn't seem at all sure what the writers have in store for his character.
'I don't know. So, TBC (to be confirmed), we know very little the actors on the show. I am excited to see how that will play out,' Ralph said.
With such an ominous answer as to whether James will be drafted to fight in the war, fans are even more apprehensive about the upcoming season, although some of them argue that the real Herriot, on whose writings the entire show is based, was never in the war - which can only mean one thing: on-screen James will probably be saved from being killed on the battlefield.
Channel 5 has yet to reveal the release date for Season 4, but the upcoming instalment will most likely premiere in September of this year, just like all three previous seasons.
Source: Masterpiece Studio podcast.