Siegfried Farnon, the quirky proprietor of Skeldale House veterinary practice, is a standout character in Channel 5's adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small, which has recently landed on Netflix . The heartwarming family drama's first season is now available for streaming, drawing from the beloved books by Yorkshire vet Alf Wight, who wrote under the pseudonym James Herriot about his adventures as a rural vet. The colourful characters populating the All Creatures books and their television renditions are drawn from real-life figures, including Siegfried, modelled after Alf's actual employer, Donald Sinclair.
Samuel West, who brings Siegfried to life on screen, discussed how the series depicts his character and if it aligns with Donald Sinclair's true experiences. He expressed satisfaction with the portrayal when questioned about the inclusion of his character's history with his late wife. For those curious about the true story behind Siegfried Farnon, here's what became of him, including aspects of his personal life.
Donald Sinclair took over his veterinary practice in 1939, but wartime duties called him away to serve in the Royal Air Force the next year. Alf Wight was brought in to manage the practice during Donald's absence, but due to lying about his age, Donald was soon asked to hang up his RAF uniform and return to veterinary work. The Irish Times reports that Donald Sinclair had a complex relationship with his portrayal in Alf's literary works, describing it as a ".