All creatures great and small.

I love the new series and find the way Mrs Hall has a back story far more interesting. I read an article about the new series in which it said it’s filmed with Grassington as Darrowby so more stone buildings than further South.
I too have read the biography of “James” by his son and found it rounds things out well. Apparently Siegfried was fairly obnoxious, hated his partner’s depiction of him and liked to ignore his fame. ?

I love this and really like the new version. The only one I feel isn't quite right is housekeeper. I think she needs to be a bit older to be so outspoken with Siegfried.

Did enjoy the first series and now the new one. Since visiting the house in Thirsk I find I can relate to it a lot.

Having been a big fan of the books since way before the first series I find myself vastly irrirated by thecextentto which they've mucked about with the story lines even to the point of re-christening 'our Gracie"! Also, my daughter and I spent much of the time shouting, "shut the bloody gate!" at the screen! Not so good as thefirst series though the characterisation of James and Helen is a better, Carol Drinkwater was dreadful and so was Christopher Timothy - (he plays an awful drunk) Just wish they'd stick to the story lines and research the farming more thoroughly.

So glad its back not wooden for me just such nostalgia and happy tv.

Patricia Hodge is new Mrs, Pomphrey. She is very good at Imperious. Does anyone remember her pet pig (Nugent) called nudist by the gardener!

No Diana Rigg in the later episodes ?

I do like Mrs Pumphrey (Diana Rigg) ?

I liked Peter Davidson as Tristan but I also like this new one.
It's such a lovely programme. I want to be there!

I would have enjoyed it more had I not seen the original series, as for me it couldn't be topped.
Didn’t like Tris at all, the original Tris had charm, the new one has none.

I love it. It's such a good programme. I loved the books and the original BBC version too. It's not a documentary or a straight copy of previous versions. I think the writer has made a good job of tales from a Yorkshire vets. Thoroughly enjoyable.

I loved the original series and read the books. This is a different interpretation, with some dramatic licence. Not as true to the books, but perhaps more appropriate dramatically for current tastes. It's watchable as an enjoyable drama if you don't try to compare - because it doesn't!

I do think that, in a household of bachelors, a housekeeper could very well take charge!

Well, back in the 50s our housekeeper always ate with us. A doctor's household.

And you are right about the huge social divide in that era. There is no way that there would have been any personal familiarity between the Vets and the housekeeper. Had there been, both sides would have felt extremely uuncomfortable.

Of course Margatetta Scott, I couldn't think of her name and was too lazy to look it up! She was fantastic as Mrs Pumphrey.

I find it very gentle viewing. Lovely pre dropping off time.

Margaretta Scott was lovely as the original Mrs. Pumphrey. I agree about Mrs Hall, there would have been a huge social gap between a housekeeper and a group of university educated men in those days. she would have been well aware of their short comings but would have kept them to herself.

Floradora9. you're right, Mrs Hall is completely wrong. She would certainly never have had her meals with them and is much too young and too familliar. She was a proper housekeeper aged mid to late fifties? It was hard to tell! and very set in her ways and always faintly disaproving, a real character! Although She was a lovely, excellent actress I didn't like Diana Rigg as Mrs Pumphrey. She was just too over the top and rather silly.

I absolutely love it! It the best programme on TV and it's even better than the first series. All the characters are well drawn and my favourites are James and Mrs Hall. Can't wait for next Thursday. My only criticism is that it should be on a Sunday, not Thursday.

My message has got attatched to the wrong quote, sorry folk pity you cannot change your message like you can on facebook .

Boz

Much better than the old version, which was good but seems dated now. The new James Herriot is believable unlike the suave Christopher Timothy with the wrong accent for a Scot!
Helen seems real not a "bisto" mum like all the other characterisations in the past.
The script is well-written and the scenery shots wonderful.

A 5 star hit.

I could not agree more especially Mrs. Hall . she would never have sat down at meals with the family her role is all wrong. I have read the books and read James Herriot's biography of his dad and this is not ringing true.I would not watch it but DH likes it and that does not happen often. Even if you take it as fiction it is too predictable.

DanniRae

I am enjoying this new series but I have to force myself to not keep thinking "Helen didn't have a sister" etc. I too love the house but I am sure that in the original there was a pack of dogs charging about in it. Oh, sorry there I go again!!

I miss that pack of dogs. They would charge at the front door every time the doorbell rang, closely followed by a bustling Mrs Hall.

Whenever Siegfried came in he would bellow, 'Hello dogs!'

I also miss him ending any controversial conversation with, 'That's it and all about it.'

Oh I loved the old series. I used to watch it with my mum and the music can almost reduce me to tears thinking of her.

I agree Maggymay

It’s very different from the books and the 1970s tv series,but I am still enjoying it,makes a change from all the thrillers and police drama’s that are usually on.