The Cast of One By One
Main Characters (All Three Series):
Donald Turner played by Rob Heyland. Donald Turner is the main character in the series. Starting off in the 1950's as a fresh faced veterinary surgeon straight out of university, Donald heads home to his northern hometown to take up a job in the local surgery. He is horrified to learn that the surgery boasts the Great Northern Zoo as a client and he is expected to deal with them. From this ignoble beginning he realises that there is much more to dealing with exotic animals and that they deserve the same treatment as pet animals. Slowly he learns to love the exotic beasts and becomes the first ever Zoo Vet. Donald is based on the real life zoo vet David Taylor.
Ethel Ledbetter played by Sonia Graham. Ethel is the long suffering receptionist at the Rochdale surgery where Donald comes to work straight out of University. A devout Christian she rebukes Donald when he steps out of line. Over time her frosty demeanour melts and she becomes a mother figure to Donald, particularly after the death of his grandmother.
Patrick (Paddy) Reilly played by James Ellis. The irascible head keeper at the Great Northern Zoo, Paddy Reilly didn't take mistakes lightly and the worst thing in the world in his opinion is a newly qualified and inexperienced vet. Despite this Donald and Paddy (and Ethel!) become great friends and Paddy comes to realise that there is more to Donald's methods than meets the eye. Paddy was based on Matt Kelly, the real life Head Keeper at Belle Vue Zoo, Manchester.
Donald Turner played by Rob Heyland. Donald Turner is the main character in the series. Starting off in the 1950's as a fresh faced veterinary surgeon straight out of university, Donald heads home to his northern hometown to take up a job in the local surgery. He is horrified to learn that the surgery boasts the Great Northern Zoo as a client and he is expected to deal with them. From this ignoble beginning he realises that there is much more to dealing with exotic animals and that they deserve the same treatment as pet animals. Slowly he learns to love the exotic beasts and becomes the first ever Zoo Vet. Donald is based on the real life zoo vet David Taylor.
Ethel Ledbetter played by Sonia Graham. Ethel is the long suffering receptionist at the Rochdale surgery where Donald comes to work straight out of University. A devout Christian she rebukes Donald when he steps out of line. Over time her frosty demeanour melts and she becomes a mother figure to Donald, particularly after the death of his grandmother.
Patrick (Paddy) Reilly played by James Ellis. The irascible head keeper at the Great Northern Zoo, Paddy Reilly didn't take mistakes lightly and the worst thing in the world in his opinion is a newly qualified and inexperienced vet. Despite this Donald and Paddy (and Ethel!) become great friends and Paddy comes to realise that there is more to Donald's methods than meets the eye. Paddy was based on Matt Kelly, the real life Head Keeper at Belle Vue Zoo, Manchester.