All Creatures Great and Small star opens up on 'big responsibility' as she makes admission

All Creatures Great and Small star Rachel Shenton has opened up on the "big responsibility" she faces as she made an admission.

The Channel 5 series, based on James Herriot's cherished collection of short stories, revolves around a group of vets working in the Yorkshire Dales in the late 1930s.

It features veterinary surgeon Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West), who hires James (Nicholas Ralph) to join his practice at Skeldale House. They are joined by Siegfried's younger brother, Tristan (Callum Woodhouse), and their housekeeper, Mrs Hall (Anna Madeley).

READ MORE: Freddy Brazier 'can't wait to be a dad' as he shares first picture of 'baby mother'

READ MORE: 'We won Race Across the World and this is how we spent the £20,000 prize'

Rachel portrays Helen Alderson, a farmer's daughter who falls for James, with the couple eventually marrying and having two children.

Ahead of the eagerly awaited sixth season premiering next week, Rachel has shared the pressures of playing such an important character, reports the Manchester Evening News.

In an interview with Radio Times, she expressed her desire to do justice to the role, particularly as James and Helen's relationship is central to the show.

"When we started, I didn't realise quite how global and loved it was, you know the world of James Herriot, so you want to get it right," she said.

Rachel also revealed that meeting James Herriot's real-life children, James Alexander and Rosemary Page, whom he had with his wife, Joan Danbury, made her even more nervous.

"Then I met Jim and Rosie and that feeling of wanting to do All Creatures justice becomes very real because here are two people who will be watching their parents on TV," the star explained.

"Now, we're an adaptation and it's a drama, but of course you want to find and capture the essence of their mum. So, I did feel personal responsibility, yes."

Rachel also disclosed that several of Helen's traits have resonated with her, including the character's "genuine joy" with the small things, as well as her mischievous and carefree attitude to life.

Series five witnessed James reuniting with Helen and their baby son, Jimmy, after he came back home from RAF training following his brucellosis diagnosis, which rendered him unable to serve.

The newest chapter will track the characters as Victory in Europe is announced. However, life in Darrowby is anything but straightforward.

James balances his veterinary duties with family life, whilst Helen is occupied raising Jimmy and Rosie, just as major changes approach.

Fresh guest stars for the series include Coronation Street actors Lucy-Jo Hudson and Chris Gascoyne, alongside Gaia Wise, Jonathan Hyde and Philip Martin Brown.

All Creatures Great and Small returns to Channel 5 on Thursday, September 25 at 9pm