Carol Drinkwater is a multi-talented individual, excelling in the fields of acting, writing, and filmmaking. She is an English-Irish author and actress, best known for her role as Helen Herriot in the television adaptation of the James Herriot book series All Creatures Great and Small. Drinkwater has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry with her appearances in various television series and films, including Chocky, Golden Pennies, Father, A Clockwork Orange, Queen Kong, and The Shout.
In addition to her acting career, Drinkwater is a prolific and successful author. She has written books for both children and adults, establishing herself as a bestselling novelist. Drinkwater's literary work is diverse, but she is perhaps most renowned for her series of memoirs centered around her experiences on her farm in the South of France. These memoirs, which include The Olive Farm, The Olive Season, The Olive Harvest, and Return to the Olive Farm, have become international bestsellers.
Drinkwater's fascination with the olive tree led her on a seventeen-month, solo Mediterranean journey, where she explored the tree's mythical secrets. This journey resulted in two travel books, The Olive Route and The Olive Tree, and a five-part documentary film series entitled The Olive Route. Drinkwater's passion for the olive tree has also led her to work with UNESCO to help fund an Olive Heritage Trail around the Mediterranean. This project aims to create peace in the region and honor the ancient heritage of the olive tree. Drinkwater's dedication to this cause is a testament to her deep connection to the olive tree and its cultural significance.