The BBC’s new three-part drama about James Herriot has drawn a step closer now that the main characters have been cast.
UPDATE 16 December 2011: The first episode screens this Sunday, 18 December on BBC1 at 9pm, with episodes 2 and 3 on Monday, 19 December and Tuesday, 20 December also at 9pm on BBC1.
The advance screening of Young James Herriot in London on 16 November went very well – and it was enjoyed by all those present from the broadcast media and the critics. We understand the show will screen on the BBC in December…
The series tells the story of Herriot’s training and college days as a veterinary student in Glasgow and stars Iain De Caestecker as the young James. Iain’s previous roles include Paul in The Fades, Darren in Lip Service and Adam Barlow in Coronation Street. As Iain puts it, “It was great to play such an iconic character in his formative years. Young James is wide-eyed, innocent and very eager which means he gets himself into numerous exploits with both the animals and owners. Filming in Glasgow was a huge bonus.”
Amy Manson (Fleur Morgan in Outcasts, Daisy in Being Human, Lizzie Siddal in Desperate Romantics and Abby Evans in Casualty) plays Herriot’s friend Whirly Tyson. Amy says, “Young James Herriot was a challenge with a difference because it brought me in line with some of my own ideals. My character, Whirly, is a fighter. She is struggling to be taken seriously in the male dominated veterinary Industry. She’s not afraid to challenge authority. Whirly has a beautiful honesty about her coupled with a gutsy zest for life. Whirly and her good friend McAloon, take young Herriot under their wing and the three characters share the trials, tribulations and laughter of James’ first term at college. I had great fun filming in Glasgow and fell in love with the city. It was amazing to be part of such a great series filmed in my homeland.”
Rob McAloon, another friend of James and Whirly is played by Ben Lloyd-Hughes (Ralph Sherwin in The Hour, Ed Miliband in Miliband of Brothers, Josh Stock in Skins and Dominic Fitzwallace in Personal Affairs) and the other leading roles are taken by Gary Lewis (Edwin Stickley in Silent Witness and Jackie Elliot in Billy Elliot) and Tony Curran (King Stephen in The Pillars Of The Earth and Vincent Van Gogh in Dr Who).
James Herriot is the pen name of the author Alf Wight. His series of Herriot books were based on his experiences as a vet based in Thirsk in North Yorkshire. His former practice is now a museum – The World of James Herriot.
Young James Herriot is produced by Koco Drama (a Shed Media company) for the BBC and will be screened this autumn.
And if you’d like to read the fascinating tale of young James Herriot’s early years at veterinary college, you can buy it on Amazon by clicking the image below:
You can read an earlier article about Young James Herriot (at which point the programme was planned to be called Young James) here.
In the meantime, if you’re looking to come and stay in Herriot Country, check out some of the places to stay in Yorkshire and things to do in Yorkshire on Hello Yorkshire.
Footnote: this article was amended on 23 November to reflect the BBC’s announcement that the name of the programme had changed from Young Herriot to Young James Herriot
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