Alf Wight (the real James Herriot) initially stipulated that all the incidents in the TV series had to be closely based on those in his books. By the end of Season 3, all of Wight's books had been televised, and it was thought that the series would have to end. However producer Bill Sellars persuaded Wight to let the scriptwriters devise new stories as long as the scripts were approved by him and remained faithful to the spirit of his books.
Robert Hardy had problems with the writers in the later seasons of the show in that they seemed to be inserting scenes in every episode where Siegfried Farnon would lose his temper and "blow up" to comic effect. Hardy had to fight with the writers to give Siegfried the dimensions and depth of character he felt he'd had in the show's early seasons.
Cringley House, the building in Askrigg that was used as the filming location for the exterior of Skeldale House, was for many years a home for vulnerable adults. However new owners opened it as a bed-and-breakfast and tea-room on 23 March 2013. Jim Wight, son of Alf Wight (aka James Herriot) was due to perform the opening ceremony but was unable to attend because the roads to Askrigg were blocked by heavy snow. The building was renamed Skeldale House in honour of its connection with the programme.
Peter Davison's role in the series led directly to him being cast as the Fifth Doctor in Doctor Who (1963), because producer John Nathan-Turner had worked with him when he was the production unit manager on this series.
During the first three seasons of the show, Christopher Timothy and Carol Drinkwater, who played James and Helen Herriot, had an off-screen relationship. Although the relationship ended amicably, Drinkwater decided not to return to the show when it was revived for Seasons 4-7. Lynda Bellingham was cast to replace her.