Meet All Creatures Great and Small season 5, episode 1's rising stars

All Creatures Great and Small is set to return to Channel 5 with a fresh season on September 19. In the village of Darrowby, Mrs Hall (portrayed by Anna Madeley) and Helen Herriot (Rachel Shenton) are seen attending a community meeting about the local war effort.

In the meantime, Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) faces the challenge of keeping the surgery running in the absence of James (Nicholas Ralph) and Tristan (Callum Woodhouse). He turns to Richard Carmody (James Anthony-Rose) for additional assistance.

Over at RAF Abingdon, James and his crew gear up for a crucial training flight. However, when James is unexpectedly grounded, a Medical Officer delivers some unexpected and disappointing news.

When James is assigned to farm labour, he is reminded of his calling as a vet. In other developments, Carmody's new surgery triage system lands him in hot water with Siegfried, while Mrs Hall pledges her support to the community.

The series will introduce new characters in each episode. Here's everything you need to know about the guest stars of the first episode.

Mr Bosworth - Jeremy Swift

Mr Bosworth, who oversees the local war effort and gives Mrs Hall a tough time, is played by Jeremy Swift. Swift is a 64 year old English actor who began his career in theatre.

Audiences may recognise him from roles in Ted Lasso, Downton Abbey, The Smoking Room and Blind Men.

He is married to Mary Roscoe and they have two children.

Wing Commander Whitely - Simon Paisley Day

James's superior is extremely strict but acknowledges James's competence at his job.

Simon Paisley Day, a 57 year old English stage and screen actor known for his roles in Sherlock, Being Human and Midsomer Murders, plays the character of James.

Hibbert - Luke Hammond

Luke Hammond, a young theatre star seen in Where Do We Belong? and Where Do We Stand?, portrays one of James's comrades and close friends, Hibbert.

Banerjee - Samir Mahat

Banerjee, another of James's comrades who is extremely nervous about the task he has been set, is played by Samir Mahata. Mahata is a London-based actor of Nepalese heritage who recently graduated with a Law degree from Durham University and has starred in Sex Education and Foul Evil Deeds.

Medical Officer Reid - Callum Coates

Callum Coates, whose TV credits include Gentleman Jack, Grace: Looking Good Dead, The Crown, The Witcher, EastEnders and Emmerdale, plays Medical Officer Reid who brings bad news to James.

Dot Fawcett - Caroline O'Neill

Caroline O'Neill, a 66 year old English television and theatre actress known for playing Andrea Clayton in Coronation Street and Win Thursday in Endeavour, portrays Dot Fawcett, whom Helen supports and helps solve the puzzle of her cat, 'Frisk'.

Other cast members joining the series include George Potts, Jennifer Hennessy, Adrian Hood, Ryan Hawley, Nicholas Asbury, Angela Lonsdale, Bailey Brook, Nicholas Collett, Mark Chatterton, Jon Furlong, Olivia Paige Marsh and Juliet Aubrey.

All Creatures Great and Small returns to Channel 5 on September 19