All Creatures Great and Small's Helen star 'fell apart' filming emotional moment

All Creatures Great and Small star Rachel Shenton has revealed her emotional turmoil during a particular scene, confessing she was "falling apart".

The actress is renowned for her portrayal of Helen Alderson in the Channel 5 hit series, which is set to return for its fifth and sixth instalments.

In the upcoming series, audiences will be transported back to 1940s Darrowby, reuniting with the distinctive Skeldale family and the eclectic mix of farmers, animals, and local residents that populate the Yorkshire Dales.

Joining Rachel in the forthcoming series is actor Callum Woodhouse, reprising his role as Tristan Farnon, along with his on-screen friend James Herriot, portrayed by Nicholas Ralph.

Samuel West will resume his role as the enigmatic Siegfried Farnon. Anna Madeley will return as the steadfast matriarch of Skeldale House, Mrs Hall, alongside James Anthony-Rose who is also set to reprise his role as Richard Carmody, reports Yorkshire Live.

As fans eagerly anticipate the new series and Christmas special, Rachel shared insights into previous episodes and how one scene left her feeling "emotional" as soon as she read the script.

During a previous chat with Masterpiece Studio, Rachel was asked if she learned anything from Jim and Rosie, when they were expecting their first child.

Rachel revealed: "We learned that when Alf signed up, Joan wasn't pregnant yet, and then, of course, she was. I think they wove that into the story really well, the sense that actually, had Helen been pregnant, who knows what James would have done. Would he have gone? Who knows? That wasn't the case, and they dealt with his departure like they dealt with everything: as a team."

Discussing the emotional impact of the scene, she said: "But that actually was one of the few scenes that has ever really rocked me and I almost couldn't get through it, when he was going to war in Episode 5."

She went on to add: "I was so emotional from the moment I first read it because I just was so invested in this story, and James was leaving.

"Helen said, 'Do you mind if I don't come to the bus stop? I can't face it,' and there was that real moment where you can put yourself in that position, like, 'Oh my goodness-this person might not come back. That's the reality.'

"And that was so overwhelming for me. I was very grateful that our brilliant director, Jordan Hogg, managed to do it in one take, because I was falling apart, so I'm glad that they didn't make me do it again and again."

All Creatures Great and Small returns for season 5 later this year.