Good news All Creatures Great and Small fans: the long, agonizing wait for the return of our beloved Skeldale family is almost over! The first episode of season 6 is set to air on Sept 25th at 9pm on UK’s Channel 5 and has quite a few surprises in store.
To get you ready for the new season, we at Spoiler TV offer you a little preview of what’s to come and remind you where things were left off in season 5.
What Happened in Season 5?
Season 5 opens with James returning to Darrowby after being discharged from the Royal Air Force following a brucellosis diagnosis. Though he never saw active battle, it soon becomes clear that the war has still left its mark on him and that there are still ghosts he must face.
Fatherhood, too, proves more difficult than expected for the young vet, while Siegfried is a natural with little Jimmy, doting on him and proudly becoming his godfather alongside everyone’s favorite miracle worker, Mrs. Hall.
Audrey herself decides to volunteer as a blackout warden to support the war effort. And while Siegfried is proud and supportive of her work, he strongly dislikes her meticulous boss, Mr. Bosworth, with whom he regularly clashes. Still, his irritation with Bosworth at least distracts him somewhat from his constant worry about Tristan, still stationed in Egypt.
Helen flourishes in her role as a mother, tending to the community garden as her contribution to the war effort and supporting James with patience and care as he works through his trauma.
To everyone’s relief, Tristan eventually returns safely to Skeldale and finds new purpose in teaching at the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in Doncaster. Though Siegfried had promised himself never to utter a cross word to his brother again, their familiar bickering resumes almost instantly.
“Homecoming” – ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, Pictured: Callum Woodhouse & Samuel West, © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2024 / © 5 Broadcasting Limited. All Rights
Reserved
Meanwhile, Siegfried’s brief flirtation with a posh woman ends when her superficiality surfaces, to the big relief of those rooting for him and Mrs. Hall.
In season 5 we also had to say goodbye to Richard Carmody, Siegfried’s conscientious and bowtie-loving student assistant, who reluctantly leaves Skeldale after being offered a prestigious research opportunity in London.
The season concludes with the Christmas Special which centers on the remarkable Mrs. Hall, whose son Edward is missing after the ship he served on was attacked and sunk. Though the entire family rallies around her, she withdraws from everyone until finally confiding in Siegfried. For her sake, he even goes against his professional judgment to save a fox she had grown attached to, underscoring the deep trust and unique bond between them. The season ends on a hopeful note when Edward calls to inform his ma he is injured but very much alive.
What to look forward to in Season 6
Instead of picking up where the Christmas special left off, Season 6 makes a bold leap forward to May 1945, the end of the Second World War, skipping three years in the process.
“Gathering
the Flock” – ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, Pictured: Callum Woodhouse & Nicholas Ralph, Photo: Helen Williams / © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2025 / © 5 Broadcasting Limited. All Rights
Reserved
However, there is no need to worry about the fate of the show’s beloved characters, as they will all be back, though some may take center stage more than others. With Rachel Shenton having been on maternity leave (congratulations on the new arrival!), we may see a little less of Helen. In turn, viewers can likely look forward to more moments with the ever-beloved Mrs. Hall, flitting around Skeldale and working her magic.
In episode one especially the audience can expect to find Siegfried in a rather unusual state, more irritable than ever, chaotic, constantly finding new ways to land himself in trouble. He is likely affect by changes at Skeldale, missing the usual family dynamic. James is overwhelmed dealing with his erratic behavior and Tristan is rather shocked to see the changes in his brother when he returns from the continent where he served king and country.
“Gathering
the Flock” – ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, Pictured: Samuel West, Photo: Helen Williams / © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2025 / © 5 Broadcasting Limited. All Rights
Reserved
Throughout the season there will be new additions to the family and we will also get to wittness the arrival of some technical advances. Season 6 promises plenty of lighthearted moments, witty exchanges, and big celebrations, along with bittersweet turns that may have you reaching for a handkerchief.
“Gathering
the Flock” – ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, Pictured: Anna Madeley, Photo: Helen Williams / © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2025 / © 5 Broadcasting Limited. All Rights
Reserved
Fans of the show will be especially happy to know that Conor Deane, the actor who plays Mrs. Hall’s son Edward, is returning for the new season. Since the Christmas Special focused so strongly on Edward’s fate, it would have felt like a missed opportunity not to bring Deane back straight for episode 1. While we don’t yet know what his storyline will be, we can say that he’ll be arriving with a surprise in tow.
“Gathering
the Flock” – ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, Pictured: Anna Madeley & Conor Deane, Photo: Helen Williams / © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2025 / © 5 Broadcasting Limited. All Rights
Reserved
Among the new faces this season is Gaia Wise, playing a character who some fans suspect may be connected to Tristan.
And finally, a word to my fellow passengers on the Siegfried and Mrs. Hall train: Do not let the promo pictures discourage you. There is quite a bit to look forward to when it comes to our favorite grumpy vet and Skeldale’s fairy godmother.
Make sure to catch season 6 of All Creatures Great and Small on Sept 25th at 9pm (GMT+1) on UK’s Channel 5!
