All Creatures Great and Small cast: Who stars in season 6?
Nicholas Ralph plays the iconic Yorkshire vet alongside series co-stars Samuel West, Anna Madeley, Rachel Shenton and Callum Woodhouse.
All Creatures Great and Small returns to screens for season 6 – and it's all change as the war officially draws to a close.
"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," reads the synopsis.
Elsewhere, "Helen’s enjoying time with young Jimmy and Rosie but has big changes afoot at Heston to contend with", while "Tristan returns from several years at war and will have to re-adjust to life back home in Darrowby".
"Meanwhile, Mrs Hall works hard to bring everybody back together and restore harmony at the surgery," continues the logline.
Alongside the main cast, a number of new guest stars appear in the latest chapter.
Read more:
- All Creatures Great and Small actor teases that "things aren't all OK" with Tristan in season 6
- All Creatures Great and Small season 6 confirmed to "further" relationship between Siegfried and Tristan
Find a full rundown below.
All Creatures Great and Small cast
The main cast of All Creatures Great and Small is made up of the following:
- Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot
- Rachel Shenton as Helen Alderson
- Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon
- Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon
- Anna Madeley as Mrs Audrey Hall
For more information about who the cast play and what else they've starred in, read on.
Nicholas Ralph plays James Herriot
Who is James Herriot? The iconic young Yorkshire vet, played by Christopher Timothy in the original 1970s television series. Working in rural Yorkshire in the 1930s and '40s, James struggles at first to adapt, but soon finds himself won over by both the community and animals he works with. At the beginning of season 5, James is away from his wife and son Jimmy, who was born in the Christmas special, at an RAF training base, but has since returned home after being ruled unfit to serve due to contracting a bacterial disease.
Where have I seen Nicholas Ralph before? The Scottish actor makes his television debut in All Creatures Great and Small. He's previously performed at a variety of theatres in Scotland, in plays including Captain Amazing, Interference and Cinderella.
Rachel Shenton plays Helen Alderson
Who is Helen Alderson? Helen is a local farmer's daughter with a positive can-do attitude. She helped raise her little sister after the death of their mother. In season 1, she had a longstanding romance with landowner Hugh, but later broke things off to embark on a relationship with James. The couple married in the season 3 premiere and in the 2023 festive episode, Helen gave birth to a baby boy, Jimmy, and they also now have a daughter together called Rosie.
Where have I seen Rachel Shenton before? Two years ago, Shenton notably won an Oscar for Best Live Action short film, for The Silent Child. She's otherwise known for playing Anne "Mitzeee" Minniver in Hollyoaks, Joanne Scott in White Gold and Courtney in Waterloo Road. She has also starred in 5 dramas For Her Sins wand The Rumour.
Samuel West plays Siegfried Farnon
Who is Siegfried Farnon? A wealthy and capricious veterinary surgeon who – reluctantly – hired the recently qualified James Herriot to become his assistant. Siegfried is also the proprietor of Skeldale House and its veterinary practice. He is a widower, and he also raised his younger brother Tristan after the death of their parents, who he loves dearly, but regularly locks horns with – however they have taken steps to bond more in recent seasons.
Where have I seen Samuel West before? The actor is no stranger to appearing in period dramas, having previously starred in the likes of Mr Selfridge (as Frank Edwards), On Chesil Beach and the Oscar-winning film Darkest Hour (as Sir Anthony Eden). His other credits also include The Crown (as Anthony Blunt), and the film Howards End. Just this year, he has also starred in The Midwich Cuckoos and Slow Horses.
Callum Woodhouse plays Tristan Farnon
Who is Tristan Farnon? Siegfried's younger brother, who is also a vet, has been away serving with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. Tristan is a charmer and doesn't take life too seriously, which has led to a number of clashes with Siegfried over the years.
What have I seen Callum Woodhouse in before? Prior to All Creatures, he was best known for another period drama, ITV's The Durrells.
Anna Madeley plays Mrs Hall
Who is Mrs Hall? The housekeeper of Skeldale House. Mrs Hall is a force to be reckoned with – often putting her employer in his place – but she is kind and loving at heart, and usually knows what's best. She previously left an abusive relationship and has a grown-up son called Edward, who nearly died while serving in the military. Mrs Hall previously enjoyed a very sweet romance with a man called Gerald, but he left Darrowby to care for his sick sister.
Where have I seen Anna Madeley before? The actress has previously starred opposite David Tennant in the acclaimed Deadwater Fell (as Kate), while also appearing in Patrick Melrose (as Cousin Mary), Silent Witness, The Crown (as Clarissa Eden), Mr Selfridge (as Miss Ravillious), Utopia (as Anya), Anatomy of a Scandal (as Ellie Frisk) and Secret Invasion.
Long-running guest stars
Imogene Clawson plays Jenny Alderson
Who is Jenny Alderson? Jenny is the younger sister of Helen. Though the pair largely get on, there was previously tension between them when Jenny considered leaving Darrowby for Leeds. This time, she has her heart set on London.
Where have I seen Imogene Clawson before? Imogene Clawson made her acting debut in the first season of All Creatures Great and Small.
Tony Pitts plays Richard Alderson
Who is Richard Alderson? A farmer and widower, and the father of Helen and Jenny. Richard often clashes with James about what profession his grandson will go into.
Where have I seen Tony Pitts before? You might recognise Pitts as Hargreaves from Line of Duty, or as Inspector Moss from Peaky Blinders. He's also been in Jamestown (as Edgar Massinger), Wild Bill (as Keith Metcalfe), MotherFatherSon (as Lennox), Giri/Haji (as Steve), My Mad Fat Diary (as Chloe's Dad) and Emmerdale (as Archie Brooks). On the big screen, he played Captain Pterro in Rogue One.
Patricia Hodge plays Mrs Pumphrey
Who is Mrs Pumphrey? A wealthy widow whose best friend is a Pekingese called Tricki Woo. She used to live in a mansion, but she donated it to the war effort.
Where have I seen Patricia Hodge before? She's best known for Miranda. Other credits include Holding the Fort and Rumpole of the Bailey.
Mollie Winnard plays Maggie
Who is Maggie? The local barmaid. She also enjoyed a brief romance with Tristan.
Where have I seen Mollie Winnard before? You might know her from Coronation Street and Happy Valley.
All Creatures Great and Small new guest stars
Episode 1
- Thomas Riches as Jimmy Herriot - Helen and James's eldest.
- Arlie & Autumn Doyle as Rosie - Helen and James's youngest.
- Wayne Foskett (Lightfields) as Archie Tredwell - a farmer who's having trouble with one of his sheep dogs.
- Lucy-Jo Hudson (Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Wild at Heart) as Susan - she winds up falling asleep on Siegfried's sofa after a drinking session.
- Conor Deane (Sherwood) as Edward Hall - Mrs Hall's son.
- Siena Marsden as Mary - Mrs Halls' granddaughter.
Episode 2
- Thomas Riches as Jimmy Herriot - Helen and James's eldest.
- Arlie & Autumn Doyle as Rosie - Helen and James's youngest.
- Elexi Walker (Doctors) as Sister Rose.
- Stefan Escreet (Wilmot) as Mr Jubb 0 the greengrocer.
- Rayyah Mccaul (Emmerdale) as Beryl Jubb - Mr Jubb's sister. She was the Skeldale House housekeeper for three days in Mrs Hall's absence.
Episode 3
- Thomas Riches as Jimmy Herriot - Helen and James's eldest.
- Arlie & Autumn Doyle as Rosie - Helen and James's youngest.
- Gaia Wise (Dead of Winter) as Charlotte Beauvoir - she seeks out the services of "Captain Farnon" when her horse takes ill.
- Jonathan Hyde (Jumanji, The Nummy) as General Beauvoir - Charlotte's father.
- Philip Martin Brown (Waterloo Road, The Worst Witch) as Mr Bolton - James arranges for his dog to breed with Tricki.
All Creatures Great and Small season 6 airs on Thursdays on 5. You can order James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small from Amazon.
If you're looking for something else to watch, visit our TV Guide or take a look at the rest of our Drama coverage. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
