All Creatures Great and Small's Rachel Shenton pays tribute to co-star ahead of comeback: 'Wonderful!'

All Creatures Great and Small cast

All Creatures Great and Small's Tristan Farnon is making a return in series five

Channel 5
Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 10/09/2024

- 16:24

Fans of the heartwarming series were delighted to learn Tristan will be back at Skeldale

All Creatures Great and Small fans will be pleased to learn that lovable Tristan Farnon (played by Callum Woodhouse) is making a return after being absent in last year's series.

The fan-favourite didn't appear in series four after the emotional Christmas Special the year prior which saw him bidding a sad farewell to brother Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) when he was called up to serve in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.


Fans missed the dynamic between the two brothers in the latest series and were calling for his comeback in last year's Christmas Special, but luckily their wish has been granted.

Tristan's comeback is already anticipated to be a series five highlight, and leading man Nichols Ralph, who stars as James Herriot, and Helen Alderson actress Rachel Shenton, described how nice it was to have the 30-year-old actor back on set.

"He's still in the WhatsApp group sending pictures of the dogs," Shenton said, adding: "But Tristan is finally set to return to Darrowby in the upcoming episodes."

"I've said it time and time again that the show missed Tristan, and we missed Callum," Ralph commented.

Speaking to Radio Times, he added: "It's just wonderful to have him back and always a treat to work with Callum. Any scenes we have together were brilliant and a lot of fun.

"Tristan, as a character, means so much to so many people within the house, so it was a joy having him back".

He continued: "Seeing him interact with [Richard] Carmody (James Anthony-Rose) is a lot of fun because they are both so different.

"And Callum is just a great laugh – a great guy to have around both on and off set. It was a real treat."

Siegfried and Tristan Farnon

All Creatures Great and Small's Tristan Farnon is making a return in series five

Channel 5

Shenton continued: "Helen and Tristan share that sort of cheeky mischief, because neither of them, especially at the moment because he's not practising at the Skeldale, neither of them are employed, so they can always manage to get away with a little bit more or laugh a little bit more."

Fans will be relieved by the update as it wasn't initially clear whether the character would be returning for series five.

However, Woodhouse since assured viewers it was "always the plan" for Tristan to make a comeback.

The Channel 5 series is a staple within the channel’s schedule, with series four bringing in a staggering 4.4 million viewers.

All Creatures Great and Small

Tristan was absent from series four of All Creatures Great and Small

Channel 5

Confirming the news of the new series earlier this year, Channel 5 wrote on its official X account: “Attention all #ACGAS fans. It’s official: All Creatures Great and Small series 5 is on its way, and a familiar face is coming back!” (sic)

Fans were delighted by the update and to find out Tristan would be back at the Yorkshire Dales vet.

The series will kick off later this month and will include its annual Christmas Special later in the year.

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