South Yorkshire Teenager ‘Thrilled’ to Star in Channel 5 Show

A 13-year-old from South Yorkshire has expressed his excitement, stating he is “thrilled” to appear in the upcoming Christmas special of the popular television series All Creatures Great and Small. Owen Phillips, a Rotherham native, is scheduled to feature alongside actors Samuel West, Nicholas Ralph, and Rachel Shenton when the special episode broadcasts on 23 December. The young actor, who has previously appeared in productions like Casualty and Gentleman Jack, reiterated his “thrilled” reaction to securing the role. Even with considerable television experience, Owen admitted to experiencing “butterflies” during his audition for the series. All Creatures Great and Small, which adapts the renowned novels by real-life veterinarian Alf Wight, chronicles the initial professional journey of veterinary surgeon James Herriot in the Yorkshire Dales throughout the 1930s. During an interview with BBC Radio Sheffield, Owen recounted that despite feeling nervous at his audition for the Channel 5 production, the experience was “fun,” and he even had the opportunity to “meet an actual fox.” This animal plays a crucial role for Christopher, Owen’s character in the show, who brings an abandoned fox cub to the veterinary surgery at Skeldale House. Describing his character, Owen stated: “He doesn’t come from the best background, but he’s really kind and loves his family and he loves animals. He doesn’t have many friends and the fox is his best friend.” Owen expressed his enjoyment of his time on set, which provided him with cherished memories, notably the opportunity to become acquainted with lead actor Samuel West. Owen recalled: “We talked about the show, work and his family. He said, let’s go through our lines together, and he showed me some acting techniques. That was unbelievable.” At just 13 years old, Owen has already accumulated several television credits, such as a recurring part as Wes Oldfield in the CBBC series The Dumping Ground, all while conscientiously managing his school responsibilities. His family indicated that his acting talent was serendipitously discovered after they responded to a casting call for the Judge Rinder court program during a visit to London. Nick, the teenager’s father, commented: “I think Owen’s amazing. He is so good and so natural as an actor. It’s tearful to watch him sometimes.” The initial BBC adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small aired during the 1970s and 1980s, whereas the current Channel 5 series commenced in 2020.