The All Creatures Great & Small 2025 Christmas Special About And When Can You Watch The Behind-The-Scenes Documentary

The 2025 All Creatures Great & Small Christmas special is set in 1945. It follows James Herriot organizing the village Nativity play while Helen is unwell. A companion documentary, All Creatures Great & Small: Behind The Scenes, airs before the special. You can watch the documentary at 8pm on Christmas Eve.

Getting cosy on the sofa with a hot chocolate is a key part of the Christmas routine, and it's even better when there's a brilliant festive special on the telly. Fans of the much-loved All Creatures Great & Small have been given an early Christmas present, as a brand-new trailer for the 2025 festive episode has just been released.

This isn't just any old episode; it's the much-anticipated Christmas special, set to bring a dose of heartfelt warmth to screens on Christmas Eve. And as if that wasn't enough, there's also a special behind-the-scenes documentary planned, giving a peek into how this fantastic Yorkshire period drama gets made.

A first look at the festive episode trailer

Channel 5 has dropped the trailer for the 2025 Christmas special, giving everyone a glimpse of what to expect from Darrowby this winter. Straight away, it’s clear the festive spirit is in full swing. The short clip is packed with classic Christmas scenes, from kids getting into their costumes for the village nativity to plenty of twinkly lights and decorations.

Of course, it wouldn't be All Creatures Great & Small without a bit of romance, and the trailer hints that love is in the air. But some viewers might be wondering where the high-stakes animal drama is. Are there any adorable animals in peril? Well, the official summary for the festive episode promises there will be plenty of veterinary action alongside the mince pies and mulled wine. This beloved British 40s-set drama knows how to balance the sweet with the serious, making it a perfect watch for the season. The trailer certainly sets a wonderfully heartfelt tone.

What’s the drama in this christmas special?

So, what exactly is going on in this Christmas special? The story is set at Christmas 1945. This is a pretty big deal because it’s Darrowby’s first peacetime festive season after the war, so the atmosphere is sure to be extra special and reflective. The official synopsis teases a lot of activity: "In this festive episode, it's Christmas 1945 and Darrowby is preparing for its first peacetime festive season."

It seems James Herriot has his hands full. "With Helen (Rachel Shenton) unwell, James (Nicholas Ralph) steps in to organise the village Nativity, but juggling rehearsals and veterinary duties proves challenging, especially when Tricki's future as a father comes into question." So, not only is he trying to direct a stage full of kids, but he's also dealing with poorly Helen and the future of the most pampered dog in Yorkshire. That definitely sounds like a classic James predicament, full of heartfelt moments. And it’s not just James who is busy. "Siegfried returns to Mrs Stokes' (Susan Hilton) Farm, where Hilda the goat is causing trouble again." Anyone who watches the show knows that where there's a troublesome goat, there's a story.

Over at Skeldale House, the heart of the show, there’s more festive fun. "At Skeldale, Mrs Hall (Anna Madeley) rallies the team for the Drovers' darts competition, while Tristan (Callum Woodhouse) scrambles to sort the Christmas tree, with help from Charlotte (Gaia Wise)." The whole episode sounds like it will be full of community spirit and gentle chaos. The summary ends with a promise that captures the spirit of the period drama perfectly: "As old friends reappear and heartfelt conversations unfold, the festive spirit brings laughter, reflection and a few surprises." The air date is set for 24 December, making it a perfect Christmas Eve watch, unlike some of the more intense dramas you might find on the BBC.

A special behind-the-scenes treat

Just when you thought a Christmas special was the best gift, there’s more. Airing right before the main event at 8pm on Christmas Eve is a special documentary called All Creatures Great & Small: Behind The Scenes. This is a real treat for anyone who’s ever wondered about the making of the show. It offers a look behind the curtain of the hugely popular drama. The documentary is presented by Graeme Hall, who many will know as the Dogfather from Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.

He visits the set in Yorkshire to uncover some of the secrets of the show’s production. It sounds like it will answer all those little questions that pop into your head while watching. For instance, what do the actors really have in those old-fashioned medicine bottles? And does anyone actually get to eat Mrs Hall's delicious-looking food? The synopsis for the behind-the-scenes show reveals just what Graeme Hall will be exploring: "From what really goes into the medicine bottles and who eats Mrs Hall's mouthwatering creations to how the team films complex animal sequences, Graeme shares fascinating insights as the cast reflect on six years of making 5's most popular drama series."

Filming with animals is notoriously tricky, so seeing how they manage to create those touching and sometimes tense scenes will be brilliant. This look at the making of the show is the perfect appetiser before the main festive episode.

Why everyone loves this british drama

It’s no secret that All Creatures Great & Small is a massive hit. It’s Channel 5's most popular drama, and it’s not just viewers who adore it; the critics do too. When you look at the reviews, the response is overwhelmingly positive. It’s the kind of show that seems to get everything right, from the casting to the stunning Yorkshire scenery.

To put it in numbers, the period drama has an incredible average score of 99% positive on the review site Rotten Tomatoes. That’s nearly perfect. While only the first four seasons have enough collated reviews to get an official score, the numbers are fantastic. Season one sits at 97% positive, and seasons two, three, and four all have a flawless 100% score.

This is extremely rare and shows a consistent level of quality that few series achieve. This 40s-set programme has captured the hearts of many with its gentle storytelling and focus on community, a welcome change from some darker dramas. The incredible reviews show that there’s a real appetite for this kind of heartfelt, character-driven British television. It’s a true gem in the 2025 TV calendar.