All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 Cast Revealed: New Faces, Big Returns, and Shocking Additions

Nicholas Ralph saddles up as the iconic Yorkshire vet, joined by Samuel West, Anna Madeley, Rachel Shenton and Callum Woodhouse.

Good news, animal lovers: All Creatures Great and Small is back for season 6, and the war is finally, officially over. Peace in Europe does not magically fix life in Darrowby, though, so expect less air-raid sirens and more everyday chaos in the surgery, the fields, and at home.

So where are we picking things up?

The season opens in the aftermath of VE Day. That promise of calm? It is more of a vibe than a reality. James is trying to keep the practice running while also being present for Helen and the kids, and Siegfried is... well, Siegfried, only a little more 'challenging' than usual. Helen is soaking up time with Jimmy and Rosie but has some big shifts happening back at Heston. And after several years serving, Tristan finally comes home and has to figure out how to be Tristan-in-Darrowby again. Meanwhile, Mrs Hall is quietly moving heaven and earth to knit the whole crew back together.

"As victory in Europe is declared, there is the promise of peace at last, but James is wishing for a greater sense of peace at the surgery as he juggles vet work with a busy family life and an exceptionally challenging Siegfried."

New faces are in the mix, too, which usually means more animals, more emergencies, and at least one person falling asleep somewhere they absolutely should not.

Who is back (and who is new)

• Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot

  The original show made James the iconic 'new vet in the Dales' (Christopher Timothy played him in the 1970s version); here, he is older, wiser, and a dad twice over. At the start of season 5 he was stuck at an RAF training base, but he was sent home after a bacterial illness ruled him unfit for service. Now he is striving for that elusive balance: out on rounds, in the surgery, and back home with Helen, Jimmy, and Rosie.

  Ralph made his TV debut with this series. Before that, he was on stage in Scotland in productions like Captain Amazing, Interference, and Cinderella.

• Rachel Shenton as Helen Alderson

  Farmer's daughter, problem-solver, and the beating heart of Skeldale life. She broke off her early romance with landowner Hugh back in season 1, married James in the season 3 opener, welcomed baby Jimmy in the 2023 Christmas special, and the family now also includes daughter Rosie. This season she is happily in mum mode but facing some big changes at Heston.

  Shenton won an Oscar for the short film The Silent Child. You might also know her as Anne 'Mitzeee' Minniver in Hollyoaks, Joanne Scott in White Gold, and Courtney in Waterloo Road. She has also appeared in Channel 5 dramas For Her Sins and The Rumour.

• Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon

  Skeldale's mercurial boss, owner of the house and the practice, and a man who can terrify a junior vet and melt over a horse in the same afternoon. He is a widower and essentially raised his younger brother Tristan after their parents died. They have been trying to be less combative lately, but sparks always fly. This year, Siegfried is particularly prickly.

  West is all over period drama: Mr Selfridge (Frank Edwards), On Chesil Beach, Darkest Hour (as Sir Anthony Eden), The Crown (Anthony Blunt), and Howards End. More recently, The Midwich Cuckoos and Slow Horses.

• Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon

  The charming younger Farnon brother and a vet in his own right, back from several years with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. His easygoing style has historically clashed with Siegfried's ironclad rulebook, and re-entry to village life is not as simple as picking up where he left off.

  Before All Creatures, Woodhouse was best known for The Durrells.

• Anna Madeley as Mrs Audrey Hall

  Skeldale's organizer-in-chief and the person most likely to tell Siegfried what he needs to hear. She left an abusive marriage years ago and has an adult son, Edward, who came perilously close to not returning from service. She had a lovely romance with Gerald, but he left Darrowby to care for his ailing sister. This season, she is the glue trying to restore harmony under one very busy roof.

  Madeley's credits include Deadwater Fell (Kate), Patrick Melrose (Cousin Mary), Silent Witness, The Crown (Clarissa Eden), Mr Selfridge (Miss Ravillious), Utopia (Anya), Anatomy of a Scandal (Ellie Frisk), and Secret Invasion.

• Imogene Clawson as Jenny Alderson

  Helen's younger sister. The two are close, but there has been friction before over whether Jenny should stay put or chase the city. This time, her sights are set on London. Fun fact: this show was her first acting job.

• Tony Pitts as Richard Alderson

  Helen and Jenny's dad, a widower and a farmer with firm ideas about family and the future. He and James do not always see eye to eye on what path young Jimmy might take.

  Pitts has popped up in Line of Duty (Hargreaves), Peaky Blinders (Inspector Moss), Jamestown (Edgar Massinger), Wild Bill (Keith Metcalfe), MotherFatherSon (Lennox), Giri/Haji (Steve), My Mad Fat Diary (Chloe's dad), and Emmerdale (Archie Brooks). On the big screen, he played Captain Pterro in Rogue One.

• Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey

  Grande dame of the district and devoted human to Tricki Woo, her beloved Pekingese. She once lived in a mansion, which she donated to the war effort. As you do.

  Hodge is best known for Miranda, plus Holding the Fort and Rumpole of the Bailey.

• Mollie Winnard as Maggie

  The local barmaid with a past flirtation with Tristan.

  You may recognize her from Coronation Street and Happy Valley.

• Thomas Riches as Jimmy Herriot

  James and Helen's eldest. Born in the 2023 Christmas special, growing fast, and already dictating everyone's sleep schedules.

• Arlie & Autumn Doyle as Rosie Herriot

  The youngest Herriot, joining big brother Jimmy in turning Skeldale into a family home as much as a veterinary practice.

• Wayne Foskett as Archie Tredwell

  A farmer in a bind with one of his sheepdogs. Foskett previously appeared in Lightfields.

• Lucy-Jo Hudson as Susan

  She and Siegfried cross paths, and she ends up dozing off on his sofa after a heavy night. Hudson's credits include Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, and Wild at Heart.

• Conor Deane as Edward Hall

  Mrs Hall's son, whose wartime service nearly cost him everything. Deane previously appeared in Sherwood.

• Siena Marsden as Mary

  Mrs Hall's granddaughter.

When and where to watch

Season 6 airs Thursdays on Channel 5.

If you want to go straight to the source, James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small is available to order on Amazon.