A farmer has highlighted something “strange” about the new series of Clarkson’s Farm, pointing to a mood of “grim resignation”.
In a recent piece about the return of the successful Amazon Prime series, fronted by the ex-Grand Tour star, Jamie Blackett, a farmer, writer and former leader of the All for Unity party, weighed in on the show’s depiction of the agriculture sector.
Clarkson’s Farm returned for its fourth season last Friday (May 23rd). Jeremy Clarkson parted ways with the popular Kaleb Cooper, who’s set off on tour, and welcomed new addition Harriet Cowan.
In the latest season, Jeremy has to navigate Diddly Squat’s management alone and has taken on Harriet as a freelance substitute for Kaleb. Meanwhile, Jamie, whose headline claimed that the series’ portrayal of the sector is “bang on”, also noted something he found “strange”.
He wrote in the Telegraph: “It seems strange in droughtridden 2025 to be watching Clarkson and his team squelching through 2024 with hunched shoulders as the ceaseless rain falls on west Oxfordshire. The mood is one of grim resignation at Diddly Squat Farm.”
Last year, farmers endured record-breaking rainfall that flooded fields and impacted crops and livestock, writes the Guardian. The Met Office added at the time that England had experienced a record-breaking 18-month period of rain (ending in March 2024).
In stark contrast, 2025 has seen the driest start to the spring in a whopping 69 years, leading to failing crops and the Environment Agency suggesting that people ration water as firms ready themselves for potential drought over the summer months.
David Exwood, the deputy president of the NFU, told the publication this month: “The dry conditions and lack of any substantial rainfall has meant farmers in some parts of the country have started to irrigate crops much earlier than normal.
“The extreme weather patterns we have experienced over the past few years are impacting our ability to feed the nation.”
Meanwhile, things appear to be shaping up for newcomer Harriet, who’s already proven to be a hit among viewers. “A ‘Star’ is born Harriet Cowen!” one wrote. Another said: “S4 and I already love Harriet.”
A third said that Harriet would be “massively famous” and “could be worth bringing back”. A fourth added that they’re “already rooting” for the new star.
Harriet, who works as a nurse but was brought up on her family’s farm, would help her dad, Eddy, handle the land and livestock. Although she admitted to never watching the show, she was taken on by contractor Charlie Ireland.
Kaleb has reportedly returned to the series and quashed any rumours that he was leaving it on ITV’s This Morning. He told Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley that he’s “still involved”.
He said: “I’m still involved, yeah. There’s lots of rumours going out that I’ve been replaced, but I’m still here.”
