Helen Alderson is a fictional character portrayed by Rachel Shenton in the TV series All Creatures Great and Small.
In the first episode they appeared in, titled You've Got to Dream (season 1), they were 33 years old.
They appear in all 28 aired episodes so far and have accumulated 535 positive votes.
The character of Helen Alderson is mainly associated with James Herriot, Tristan Farnon and Richard Alderson.
Episodes28
You've Got to Dream
episode S1.E1 january 2021James Herriot follows his dream to become a vet.
Another Farnon?
episode S1.E2 january 2021Helen provides James with a reason to stay in the Yorkshire Dales, and he discovers that there is another Farnon brother with an equally unique personality.
Andante
episode S1.E3 january 2021Siegfried hopes to become the attending vet at the local racecourse. Meanwhile an encounter with a racehorse threatens to end James's career. Tristan resorts to an unusual method of covering the loss of the surgery's income.
A Tricki Case
episode S1.E4 january 2021James is alarmed to receive a call from Mrs Pumphrey who fears her beloved dog Tricki Woo might be dying.
All's Fair
episode S1.E5 february 2021James is as pleased as punch to be the Attending Vet at the Darrowby Show, but Siegfried and Tristan take bets on how long he will last.
A Cure for All Ills
episode S1.E6 february 2021James celebrates his birthday, but personal and professional worries put a damper on the event. James and Tristan ignore Siegfried's advice and operates on a prized cow.
The Night Before Christmas
episode S1.E7 february 2021James still has feelings for Helen and is struggling to cope as she prepares to get married to Hugh. On Christmas Eve James is called out to help a dog struggling to give birth and Helen volunteers to come along. But a thick fog comes over the Dales and it looks like the pair will be trapped together.
Where the Heart Is
episode S2.E1 january 2022It's spring in 1938, and a trip back home to Glasgow presents James Herriot with a dilemma that will mean choosing between the people he loves when he is offered a position at his old mentor's forward-thinking practice.
Semper Progrediens
episode S2.E2 january 2022With Tristan's encouragement, James asks Helen if she'd like to go to the local spring dance. But village resident Gerald's arrival with his injured dog, Rock, puts a spanner in the works. Meanwhile, Tristan worries that Siegfried is in danger of losing his edge.
We Can But Hope
episode S2.E3 january 2022The fate of a struggling young widow causes difficulties for James and Helen's burgeoning romance. Meanwhile, Siegfried has another scheme to whip Tristan into shape, and a visit from Tricki Woo causes chaos in Skeldale House.
Many Happy Returns
episode S2.E4 january 2022It's an important day for Tristan in more ways than one, as he celebrates his birthday and Siegfried gives him new responsibilities as a vet. Tristan has to withstand the pressure and succeed in the challenge set by his older brother before returning to Skeldale for his birthday festivities. Meanwhile, Mrs Hall reminds James that he needs to tell Helen some home truths.
The Last Man In
episode S2.E5 february 2022When a familiar face from Helen's past returns to Darrowby, James worries that he has to vie for her attention and steps up to compete against them at Mrs Pumphrey's annual cricket match. The rest of Skeldale House are apprehensive as the game can be brutal. Siegfried tries his best to train James and get a reluctant Tristan to step in, but it's not looking good for their Darrowby Eleven team.
Home Truths
episode S2.E6 february 2022As Chamberlain heads to meet with Hitler in Munich, James prepares to face his parents and give them some difficult news. Meanwhile, the prospect of a return to war acts as a timely reminder to make the most of life while you can. But James's agenda is derailed by an emergency with the Alderson's pregnant mare, Candy.
The Perfect Christmas
episode S2.E7 february 2022James and Helen spend their first Christmas together, but must agree on where to spend it. Despite all seeming idyllic, the vets are troubled as Tricki Woo is sick.
Second Time Lucky
episode S3.E1 january 2023It's spring 1939, as the period drama returns for a 3rd series. Tristan is now a qualified vet, and James enters a new stage of his life with Helen; however, with war looming, all have to consider their purpose in Darrowby and beyond.
Honeymoon's Over
episode S3.E2 january 2023James struggles to get Siegfried to let him share responsibility now that he's junior partner at the practice. With Helen's help, James learns how lucrative the Ministry of Agriculture's Bovine TB testing programme could be for Skeldale.
Surviving Siegfried
episode S3.E3 january 2023Siegfried receives some difficult news and becomes even more irascible than usual. The perfect distraction comes along in the form of Major Sebright Saunders, who asks Siegfried to look at a difficult young racehorse called River.
What a Balls Up!
episode S3.E4 january 2023James is finally succeeding with the farmers' uptake of the Ministry of Ag's TB testing scheme. Tristan is outgrowing running the small animal surgery and buys a car to help with errands at the practice, enabling him also taking a date out
Edward
episode S3.E5 february 2023When Mrs Hall takes time off to meet up with an important person from her past, Siegfried immediately puts Tristan in charge of housekeeping duties, while he focuses on running the practice and educating a visiting work experience boy.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
episode S3.E6 february 2023James finds a case of TB while testing his father-in-law's herd. Could it be the end of the farm? Meanwhile, Tristan proposes marriage while Mrs Hall tries to save an abandoned dog. Suddenly, Britain declares a state of war.
Merry Bloody Christmas
episode S3.E7 february 2023As Christmastime is overshadowed by war, the Farnons have taken in a refugee child. Siegfried must choose between the well being of a racehorse and safeguarding Tristan's future. Mrs. Hall also grapples with upsetting news.
Broodiness
episode S4.E1 january 2024As Easter 1940 approaches, James tries to help a young boy and his sick dog, Audrey faces her past, while Siegfried misses Tristan.-
Carpe Diem
episode S4.E2 october 2023Siegfried hires an experienced bookkeeper, but her efficient approach doesn't suit everyone. James and Helen arrive at a decision, and a ferret presents a challenge for the practice. -
Right Hand Man
episode S4.E3 january 2024When new vet Richard Carmody joins the practice, James feels his place by Siegfried's side is threatened. Conflicts come to the surface at Mrs Pumphrey's community tea party. -
By the Book
episode S4.E4 january 2024Helen rallies the community to help the new farmers while she waits for some personal news. Carmody meets Bernard the tortoise and tries to treat the owner too. -
Papers
episode S4.E5 november 2023The day that James and Helen have been dreading arrives. Mrs Hall takes a step forward with Gerald. Carmody finds his place at Skeldale, assisted by a surprising mentor. -
The Home Front
episode S4.E6 february 2024Helen decides to move back with her father while James is away. Mrs Hall is trying to find the right time to give notice. Siegfried is frustrated by a constant leaking tap in the kitchen. -
On a Wing and a Prayer
episode S4.E7 february 2024Faced with a daunting future, James longs to see Helen, but an injured bird stands in his way. Siegfried and Carmody try to support Mrs Hall's community efforts.
- You've Got to Dream
- Another Farnon?
- Andante
- A Tricki Case
- All's Fair
- A Cure for All Ills
- The Night Before Christmas
- Where the Heart Is
- Semper Progrediens
- We Can But Hope
- Many Happy Returns
- The Last Man In
- Home Truths
- The Perfect Christmas
- Second Time Lucky
- Honeymoon's Over
- Surviving Siegfried
- What a Balls Up!
- Edward
- For Whom the Bell Tolls
- Merry Bloody Christmas
- Broodiness
- Carpe Diem
- Right Hand Man
- By the Book
- Papers
- The Home Front
- On a Wing and a Prayer
Best moments10
- It's spring 1939, as the period drama returns for a 3rd series. Tristan is now a qualified vet, and James enters a new stage of his life with Helen; however, with war looming, all have to consider their purpose in Darrowby and beyond.
- James finds a case of TB while testing his father-in-law's herd. Could it be the end of the farm? Meanwhile, Tristan proposes marriage while Mrs Hall tries to save an abandoned dog. Suddenly, Britain declares a state of war.
- With Tristan's encouragement, James asks Helen if she'd like to go to the local spring dance. But village resident Gerald's arrival with his injured dog, Rock, puts a spanner in the works. Meanwhile, Tristan worries that Siegfried is in danger of losing his edge.
- James struggles to get Siegfried to let him share responsibility now that he's junior partner at the practice. With Helen's help, James learns how lucrative the Ministry of Agriculture's Bovine TB testing programme could be for Skeldale.
- The fate of a struggling young widow causes difficulties for James and Helen's burgeoning romance. Meanwhile, Siegfried has another scheme to whip Tristan into shape, and a visit from Tricki Woo causes chaos in Skeldale House.
- James still has feelings for Helen and is struggling to cope as she prepares to get married to Hugh. On Christmas Eve James is called out to help a dog struggling to give birth and Helen volunteers to come along. But a thick fog comes over the Dales and it looks like the pair will be trapped together.
- As Chamberlain heads to meet with Hitler in Munich, James prepares to face his parents and give them some difficult news. Meanwhile, the prospect of a return to war acts as a timely reminder to make the most of life while you can. But James's agenda is derailed by an emergency with the Alderson's pregnant mare, Candy.
- James is finally succeeding with the farmers' uptake of the Ministry of Ag's TB testing scheme. Tristan is outgrowing running the small animal surgery and buys a car to help with errands at the practice, enabling him also taking a date out
- When a familiar face from Helen's past returns to Darrowby, James worries that he has to vie for her attention and steps up to compete against them at Mrs Pumphrey's annual cricket match. The rest of Skeldale House are apprehensive as the game can be brutal. Siegfried tries his best to train James and get a reluctant Tristan to step in, but it's not looking good for their Darrowby Eleven team.
- James and Helen spend their first Christmas together, but must agree on where to spend it. Despite all seeming idyllic, the vets are troubled as Tricki Woo is sick.
- Second Time Lucky
- For Whom the Bell Tolls
- Semper Progrediens
- Honeymoon's Over
- We Can But Hope
- The Night Before Christmas
- Home Truths
- What a Balls Up!
- The Last Man In
- The Perfect Christmas