In today’s television landscape, competition is fierce. Not only between TV shows and networks but also among the many devices we use, the streaming platforms we subscribe to and our ever-shortening attention spans. For a TV series to get renewed year after year in such an unpredictable, volatile environment is an impressive accomplishment that truly deserves recognition. 5’s All Creatures Great and Small not only achieved this but managed something that is even rarer: It got better! The show raised its own bar in its sixth year, delivering on every level, in every single episode. The new season seamlessly combines humor, drama, and grief, making the audience snort-laugh one second and ugly cry the next, perfectly portraying the ambiguity of life.
Recapturing the Magic of the Early Seasons
When it was announced that season 6 would start with a significant time jump, skipping three years of the Skeldale family’s life, fans were understandably concerned. Would the show change too much? Would viewers miss significant moments they have been looking forward to for years? The season 6 premiere put all those worries to rest right away, delivering a marvelous piece of television and handling the time jump exceptionally well. It put the characters into entirely new situations while leaving their emotional DNA unchanged. It is no exaggeration to say that season 6 of All Creatures is the show at its very best. It feels more confident, cohesive, and emotionally resonant than ever before.
When scrolling through the #ACGAS tag on Twitter, one regularly encounters posts from viewers mentioning that season 6 “recaptures the vibes of season 1”, especially when it comes to the emotional rhythm and the interactions between the characters. The family dinner scene with Siegfried, Mrs. Hall, James and Tristan at the end of episode 2 is only one of many examples of that. The four of them are having supper together, bickering. Not for a single moment is there any doubt that they are family.
Season 6 of All Creatures strikes a perfect balance between humor, warmth, and deeper themes like grief, war trauma and fear of abandonment. All characters have consistent storylines that develop and evolve over the course of the episodes and are interwoven with each other.
It’s All About the Skeldale Family
All Creatures has always been an ensemble show, though the focus has often leaned heavily toward James Herriot. This approach is not surprising and certainly made sense when the series started out. He was the most well-known character after all. However, the audience has quickly come to love and adore the entire Skeldale family, making it essential to give each character equal weight. All Creatures has long since become much more than just the story of James Herriot. It is, without a doubt, the story of the Skeldale family.
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| “Old Dogs, New Tricks” – ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, Pictured: Nicholas Ralph, Callum Woodhouse, Samuel West & Anna Madeley / © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2025 / © 5 Broadcasting Limited. All Rights Reserved |
Season 6 truly captures this reality beautifully, which is also reflected in the cast’s promotional photo featured at the top of this article. The characters all interact, trying to get the sheep that block the road out of the way. Not a single person is the centre of attention, they are all working together. And this is the spirit that defines the storytelling of season 6 as a whole: It is as much about Siegfried, Mrs. Hall, Tristan and Helen (though she is less present due to Rachel Shenton being on maternity leave) as it is about James. It feels truly balanced and organic. Not once does it seem like one character overshadows another. Instead, each character makes the other shine even brighter, bringing out the best in each other, highlighting how each and every one of the five main characters is essential to the show. This harmony keeps the sense of family intact, even as the household itself has spread out. They may no longer live under the same roof for most of season 6, but they remain one unit, one family. But that sense of unity extends far beyond the story itself. It’s mirrored in the people who bring the show to life: In the writing, the performances, and the collaboration behind the scenes.
The Power of the Right Team Behind the Magic
All Creatures has always greatly benefited from the brilliant synergy of creative minds both in front of and behind the camera. In season 6, that collaboration shines brighter than ever. The right voices seem to be back in the writers’ room and that shift is clearly felt. The storylines and themes build on each other across the season, nothing feels random, each thread contributes to the bigger picture. There are several nods to earlier episodes but what particularly stands out is the use of allegories where animal cases mirror the emotional journeys of the characters.
There is no denying that the writing, directing, and editing play a substantial role that absolutely cannot be underestimated, as do the fabulous teams behind the set design, costume, and production. However, without the right actors taking on the characters, the show would not work, it would fall flat. The ensemble cast consisting of Anna Madeley, Nicholas Ralph, Rachel Shenton, Samuel West and Callum Woodhouse are a team of exceptional artists who work seamlessly together. Their outstanding performances give the show its soul and the warmth the audience fell in love with in season 1.
Anna Madeley and Samuel West in particular made season 6 truly stand out, showing entirely new sides of their characters, redefining Siegfried and Audrey’s relationship, letting their walls down a little further, not only for each other but also for the audience. There is so much care and heart behind their performance, it is palpable in every single scene. Their ability to convey so much with just a glance, a subtle expression or even a single sound is breathtaking. It is a joy to watch them, whether they are bickering, sharing a deeply emotional moment or racing through the Yorkshire Dales in their “getaway car” after stealing a dog.
Season 6 is exceptionally strong overall. It is one of the best, if not the best, season of the series so far. Still, there are a few moments here and there where small missteps are noticeable (we are really nitpicking here). A handful of scenes appear to have been shortened or left out entirely, which makes the editing feel somewhat abrupt at times. Most notably during the emotionally charged scene between Siegfried and Mrs. Hall at the end of episode 3, which concluded rather suddenly. These trims are the result of Channel 5’s limited runtime – no one’s fault but the format’s. Thankfully, fans will likely see the full versions of most scenes when season 6 of All Creatures premieres on PBS in the US in January.
Hope And Renewal in a Changing World
Set in the aftermath of the Second World War, season 6 carries a quiet current of positivity and hope. It is about getting the family back together (“Gathering the Flock” is a brilliant title for episode 1), rebuilding homes and trust. The show reminds us that humor and grief are interconnected, and that healing takes time and rarely happens all at once.
Siegfried is in a rather bad place when the season starts out, greatly missing the presence of the Herriot family at Skeldale. What ultimately gets him to spiral, however, is the absence of Mrs. Hall in his life. He seems utterly lost without her. When she returns to Skeldale after having lived with and rebuilt her relationship with her beloved son Edward, it takes time for the two to find their way back to their old rhythm. At the same time, however, it becomes clear that the time apart has made
them realise just how rare and precious their friendship is, and how
deeply they value one another’s presence in their lives. They are not going back to the way things were, they are building something new, something they have been laying the foundation for for over a decade.
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| “Our Hearts Are Full” – ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, Pictured: Anna Madeley & Samuel West / © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2025 / © 5 Broadcasting Limited. All Rights Reserved |
In season 6, we also see a new side of our beloved, mischievous Tristan. For most of the show, we have experienced him as carefree and charming, though it has always been clear he craves Siegfried’s approval. After being deployed to Egypt in season 5, where he seemed shielded from the harsher realities of war, his return from Italy this season reveals a very different experience. He has not only lost many comrades but also a very close friend. He does not speak of it but the weight of it is ever-present, even as he finds love with Charlotte, a posh yet wonderfully down-to-earth young woman.
All the while, James finds himself torn between two houses: Skeldale, where the surgery is, and Heston Grange, where Helen and the children live. He is determined to do right by both, even if it means stretching himself thin, which gives us some hilarious scenes of him racing through the Dales on an old bike in the process. We see him be a devoted dad, an understanding husband and a dedicated, responsible vet, just as we’ve always known him to be. There is not too much else going on for him this season, which is actually a welcome change. The focus has shifted slightly away from him, creating a more balanced distribution of screentime among all characters.
Helen is less present this season, mainly because Rachel Shenton was on maternity leave during part of the filming. She still appears in most episodes, though to a smaller extent. What stands out this year is how often we see her sitting behind a table, a clever way to hide the actress’s pregnancy, but rather atypical for the usually very active Helen. Despite her smaller role this season there is one episode that focuses mainly on her and her younger sister Jenny, a story that is entirely heartwarming and exceptionally well acted. It certainly helps make up for Helen’s absence in episodes 5 and 6.
A Perfect Ending to a Remarkable Season
Season 6 concludes with another exceptional episode that once again perfectly highlights what makes All Creatures Great and Small so very special: togetherness, heart and humanity.
In the middle of the night it is announced that Japan surrendered and the Second World War is finally truly over. The Skeldale family gathers in the kitchen, listening to the prime minister speak on the wireless. Their relief at the announcement is so palpable, their joy raw and contagious, it almost feels as though we are in the room with them.
What follows is a beautiful depiction of community. The entire village comes together to prepare a celebration, led by none other than the remarkable Mrs. Hall of course. She is the pillar not only of the Skeldale family but also of Darrowby. When Tristan disappears after having been acting rather peculiar, Siegfried is worried and together with Mrs. Hall goes to look for him. All the while Charlotte, Tris’ girlfriend, takes the lead on the preparations for the party, impressing with her hands-on attitude.
As the festivities unfold, the episode’s emotional weight deepens, carried by moving performances that make the finale truly unforgettable. Callum Woodhouse in particular stood out in this episode, delivering an entirely heartbreaking moment. The scene of Tristan finally opening up to Siegfried about his harrowing war experiences is a masterpiece. Both Woodhouse and Samuel West are at the top of their game, delivering a powerful, profoundly touching portrayal of their characters and their brotherly bond that did not leave a single eye dry.
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| “Our Hearts Are Full” – ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, Pictured: Callum Woodhouse & Samuel West / © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2025 / © 5 Broadcasting Limited. All Rights Reserved |
Balancing the heavy emotions, one of the youngest cast members brings lightness and warmth to the table. Thomas Riches, who plays young Jimmy Herriot, is an absolute scene-stealer. He is funny, and endlessly charming – a true natural. Just like the delightful Charlotte (Gaia Wise), he fits seamlessly into the growing Skeldale family, adding a spark of humor and innocence to the ensemble.
Amid all of this, the ever-growing bond between Siegfried and Mrs. Hall is another highlight of the episode. If anyone was still questioning whether their friendship is really evolving into something deeper, this episode leaves no doubt. Siegfried made it abundantly clear that he is utterly taken with Audrey. He is not even trying to hide it anymore, telling her outright that he will always need her and that, to him, the answer to every question in the universe is always her. While Audrey is more restrained with her words, the tender looks she gives him and her many gentle touches speak volumes. Siegfried and Audrey’s friendship is truly special. It is built on trust, respect and shared history. It is natural that some viewers expressed worry that their wonderful dynamic might change if they entered a romantic relationship. But the way the show handled it so far was done with so much care, tenderness and patience that those fears feel unfounded.
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| “Our Hearts Are Full” – ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, Pictured: Anna Madeley, Samuel West, Gaia Wise, Callum Woodhouse, Nicholas Ralph & Thomas Riches / © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2025 / © 5 Broadcasting Limited. All Rights Reserved |
The episode ends with a great bonfire on a hill in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, brass music beautifully playing I Vow to Thee, My Country, the sky bathed in the orange and gold light of the setting sun. There is a magnificent view over the Dales, with other bonfires glowing in the distance, showing the entire county and, in extent, the entire world coming together to celebrate the newfound peace. Little Jimmy perched on James’ shoulders, Tristan and Charlotte huddled close together, while Siegfried and Audrey stand side by side, surely wishing they could take each other’s hand.
It is an absolutely breathtaking, cinematic conclusion: tender, hopeful and deeply moving. It is the kind of ending that doesn’t just close a season, it very much deepens our love for this world and the people who live in it.
Season 6 may be over, but there’s still one more story to come! All
Creatures Great and Small returns this December with a festive new
Christmas special!
Thank you to M. and the wonderful ACGAS community for sharing your thoughts and insights!
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