Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon, Anna Madeley as Mrs Hall,Tony Pitts as Richard Alderson, Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon, (Image: CHANNEL 5)
The cast of depicting Skeldale House’s wartime Yuletide. In anticipation of the festive episode, stars Callum Woodhouse and Nicholas Ralph, who portray Tristan Farnon and James Herriot respectively, shared some behind-the-scenes tidbits with Express.co.uk and other media outlets.
The series often depicts its characters savouring a drink at home or downing a pint at the Drovers, particularly during holiday episodes. Callum revealed that the beverage used as a stand-in for alcohol has evolved over time, much to his delight.
He elaborated: “Usually in past it’s been non-alcoholic Doom Bar, which, even alcoholic Doom Bar is absolutely revolting I think. Not my favourite drink, but in recent times they have started using 0% Guinness which tastes exactly like the real thing, and I love a Guiness, so that has been the best change in terms of food and drink.”
Nicholas chimed in about the peculiar experience of filming Christmas specials during summer, making merry amidst sweltering heat. He disclosed: “It’s burnt sugar water [they use] for whiskey so it doesn’t taste of anytihng but it keeps you hydrated when it’s 30 degrees and you are absolutely boiling.”
He continued: “You’re all decked up in hats and scarved and coats and gloves and they are handing out fans and ice lollies. Catering did put on a Christmas lunch for us, it was stunning and we were outside in the sun eating Christmas lunch and then after we had ice lollies.”
Mrs Hall takes centre stage in the Christmas episode (Image: CHANNEL 5)
The Christmas special shines a light on Mrs Hall, intriguingly portrayed by Anna Madely, who is confronted with unsettling news regarding her son, Edward.
Callum Woodhouse heaped praise on her “masterful” turn in what he described as a “tough” episode, noting: “It’s just a weird time trying to be Christmassy alongside the war and that bleeds into everything in terms of what’s going on with Edward, all the way to us not having a proper Christmas lunch.”
Despite the hardships, “She manages to scrape something together, it’s not that impressive but she’s managed to bend over backwards just to get that and it’s affected everything, people’s livelihoods.”
He reflected on the essence of the programme: “I think it speaks to what the nature of the show has always been, it’s more about family and being together at that time of year rather than anything else.”
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Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon in the festive special (Image: CHANNEL 5)
Extolling her skills, he continued: “She was absolutely fantastic, her performance in this episode is nothing short of masterful.”
Woodhouse expressed his admiration during filming: “I remember us all thinking it on the days we were filming with her. It sort of makes you a better actor as well, being in a scene with someone who is delivering that strong of a performance.”
He concluded with insights into the acting process: “Not only is there a subconscious thing of wanting to match it but when someone is that in the moment, it puts you in the moment.”
“You forget you’re acting, you think you’re opposite something that is actually happening. It makes you buy into the world more rather than being in your head.”
The All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special airs on Channel 5 on December 23.