By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Rocket Licensing and Spotlight Licensing are building a global consumer products program for the drama, All Creatures Great and Small.
Spotlight will lead in markets in North America and Rocket will be focused on markets outside North America.
“All Creatures Great and Small is a great brand which really resonates with UK consumers, and we are looking forward to discussing the exciting opportunities this property offers for licensed merchandise and collaborations with potential licensees. The demand for British brands is bigger than ever right now and this property fits the bill perfectly,” said Charlie Donaldson, joint MD of Rocket Licensing.
The series is based on best-selling stories written by Alf Wight under the pen name James Herriot. It follows the humorous adventures of a young veterinarian from Glasgow working in the Yorkshire Dales. Herriot’s books have sold 60 million copies internationally, becoming a global cultural phenomenon with devoted fans around the world.
Spotlight Licensing and Brand Management, Inc. is a New York City-based boutique licensing agency that specializes in representation of entertainment, art, digital properties, and character brands.
Rocket Licensing is one of the UK’s leading licensing agencies. The company represents a diverse and focused roster of brands that spans entertainment, preschool, heritage, lifestyle, and specialist interest properties.
Rocket and Spotlight will be looking to target both the young adult and older age-group fans of the show with licensed products including gifting, homewares, stationery, apparel, and more. They will also be searching for experiential partnerships.
The series airs in the UK as Channel 5’s top rated British Drama with five million viewers to date for the latest series. It is the second highest-rated program on the channel, behind The Drowning.
In the U.S., the television show is currently in its second season on PBS Masterpiece, after debuting as one of PBS’s biggest hits of 2021.
PBS Masterpiece, Channel 5 and All3Media International recently announced that All Creatures Great and Small has already been renewed for a third and fourth season.
“All Creatures Great and Small is a wonderful property for anyone who loves and cares for animals, enjoys the beautiful British countryside, and appreciates that small town community life which Herriot portrays with such warmth and humour.” said Carole Postal, president of Spotlight Licensing. “U.S. audiences love the character and charm of this quintessentially British show and we are excited to get a consumer products licensing programme started here in North America.”
The drama series features a high-profile cast, including Nicholas Ralph, Samuel West, Anna Madeley, Callum Woodhouse and Rachel Shenton. It is written by Ben Vanstone (The Last Kingdom) and directed by Brian Percival (Downton Abbey) and Metin Huseyn (Merlin).