All3Media secures commissioning deal with Channel 5

All3Media International recently landed a commissioning deal with Channel 5 for "All Creatures Great And Small" and "Masterpiece." The deal was handled by Deputy Director of Programmes, ViacomCBS Networks UK, Seb Cardwell. “This is great news to our 'Masterpiece' audience, who embraced this charming series and made it one of our most-watched shows. We look forward to what Ben Vanstone and Playground have planned for this wonderful ensemble of characters in seasons 3 and 4,” Executive Producer Susanne Simpson said.

 "All Creatures Great and Small" is scheduled for its next shooting in Yorkshire in the Spring for series three. Returning for the third series is Nicholas Ralph as young vet James Herriot, and Samuel West as his mercurial mentor Siegfried Farnon. The series made a successful return in the UK on Channel 5 earlier this year with an average of 4.1 million loyal viewers tuning in across the series run.“'All Creatures Great and Small' has proven to be a perfect tonic for audiences around the world seeking a top quality production with a warm and positive  view of the world," Executive Producer Louise Pedersen, CEO of All3Media International, said. "We are pleased to be able to offer  these further series to build the brand globally.”

The adaptation from BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning production company Playground will return for two series consisting of six episodes. Similarly, Channel 5 originally announced the commission for "Masterpiece" on PBS in the US, scheduled to air season 2 starting January 9,  bringing in All3Media as a global co-production partner. “It is clear that our viewers adore James Herriot’s adventures in Darrowby and so do we at Channel 5," Sebastian Cardwell, Channel 5 said regarding the double series order. "I am looking forward to us all being reunited with the Skeldale House family when series three arrives on our screens this year.”

Also returning for series three is lead writer and Executive Producer Ben Vanstone, who will work alongside returning writer Chloë Mi Lin Ewart, who will write episodes two and four. Karim Khan has joined the writing team for episode five, and Jamie Crichton will write thescript for episode six. Brian Percival  remains lead director and Executive Producer, and Richard Burrell returns as Producer.

“Everyone at Playground wants to thank Masterpiece on PBS, Channel 5 and All3Media International for their support for the series," Colin Callender CBE, Executive Producer and CEO of Playground, said. "It is a joy to produce the show but an even bigger joy to know that there is an audience all over the world hungry to revisit the world of Darrowby in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and to spend more time with the wonderful inhabitants of Skeldale House.”