Classic bbc favourite about a vet’s practice in the yorkshire dales in the 1930s. Adapted from the james herriot bestsellers, starring christopher timothy, robert hardy and peter davidson.   classic bbc series about a vet’s practice in the yorkshire dales in the 1930s. Based on james herriot's autobiographical bestsellers if only they could talk and it shouldn't happen to a vet, the series stars christopher timothy as james herriot, robert hardy as siegfried farnon, peter davidson as his brother tristan, and carol drinkwater as james's wife helen. Contains all 89 episodes.