The residents of Darrowby are back with new stories as All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 continues to air in 2026. The beloved period drama, set in the Yorkshire Dales, has moved into the spring of 1945, with the war in Europe coming to an end. While the Farnon brothers and the Herriot family navigate big changes, one constant source of charm and gentle humor remains Mrs. Pumphrey, the elegant and overly doting owner of the Pekingese dog Tricki Woo.
Viewers watching the current season on PBS in the United States or those who caught the series on Channel 5 in the UK have seen Mrs. Pumphrey return with new concerns about her beloved pet. The actress behind this fan-favorite character is the highly accomplished Patricia Hodge, who has been bringing warmth and wit to the role since the second season. Her portrayal of the eccentric widow who spoils her dog rotten has become a highlight of the series, offering light relief alongside the more dramatic storylines of post-war recovery.
Who is Patricia Hodge? The Actress Behind Mrs. Pumphrey
Patricia Ann Hodge is an English actress with a career spanning nearly six decades. Born on September 29, 1946, she is now 79 years old and shows no signs of slowing down . She trained at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) before beginning her career on the stage, quickly establishing herself as a versatile performer capable of handling both classical theatre and contemporary television .
Hodge took over the role of Mrs. Pumphrey in All Creatures Great and Small Season 2, following the passing of the original actress, Dame Diana Rigg. Dame Diana had played the part in the debut season but died in 2020 at the age of 82. Stepping into a role previously held by a beloved icon like Rigg could have been daunting, but Hodge made the character her own. She retained the elegance and posh demeanor while adding her own layers of comedic timing and genuine affection for Tricki Woo. Fans quickly embraced her interpretation, and she has remained a regular guest star ever since, appearing in every subsequent season and Christmas special .
Mrs. Pumphrey’s Role in Season 6: Concerns Over Tricki Woo
In All Creatures Great and Small Season 6, life has changed for everyone in Darrowby, and Mrs. Pumphrey is no exception. After donating much of her wealth to the war effort, she has moved from her grand estate into a more modest cottage. However, her devotion to her Pekingese, Tricki Woo, remains as strong as ever .
This season, Mrs. Pumphrey calls upon the vets at Skeldale House for a new set of worries. Initially, she fears that Tricki Woo is angry with her because he stops responding to her calls. The ever-practical Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) diagnoses the real problem: Tricki has an ear infection and simply cannot hear her. While Siegfried treats the infection, Mrs. Pumphrey is visibly offended when he refers to Tricki as an “old dog” .
Later in the season, Mrs. Pumphrey presents the vets with a new challenge. She is determined to find a mate for Tricki Woo to continue his legacy. James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) and Siegfried explain that finding a match for an older dog can be difficult, as breeders typically look for younger animals. Mrs. Pumphrey refuses to accept this, insisting that her Tricki is superior to any younger dog. The search for a suitable companion leads to some humorous situations, including a potential match with a dog that is not a Pekingese. In the end, the dogs get along, providing another heartwarming moment for the characters .
In one episode titled “Captain Farnon?” , viewers see Mrs. Pumphrey and James preparing Tricki for a special visitor, which adds a touch of warmth to the episode as Tricki’s antics always bring a smile . Her storylines consistently provide a gentle, comedic contrast to the heavier themes of the season, such as Siegfried’s struggles with loneliness and Tristan’s difficulty adjusting to life after the war.
Notable Career Highlights and Other Projects
Patricia Hodge’s career is far more extensive than just her role in All Creatures Great and Small. British audiences, in particular, will recognize her from a wide range of television roles spanning the 1970s to the present day.
Television Fame: From Rumpole to Miranda
One of her most famous early roles was as Phyllida Erskine-Brown (née Trant) in the long-running legal drama Rumpole of the Bailey. She played the poised and ambitious barrister’s wife for many years, becoming a familiar face to viewers in the late 1970s and 1980s .
For younger generations, Hodge is best known as Penny, the embarrassing but well-meaning mother of the title character in the hit BBC sitcom Miranda, starring Miranda Hart. Her role as the socially awkward, posh mother who constantly tries to marry off her daughter brought her to a whole new audience and showcased her brilliant comedic skills .
Her extensive television resume also includes guest appearances in major series such as:
- Downton Abbey as Mrs. Pelham
- Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Marple
- A Very English Scandal as Ursula Thorpe
- The Crown? (While not listed in the provided search results, this is a common query, but her confirmed work includes The Falklands Play where she portrayed Margaret Thatcher in 2002)
- Hotel du Lac, for which she received a BAFTA TV Award nomination for Best Actress
Film and Theatre Work
Hodge has also appeared in numerous films. Her movie credits include The Elephant Man (1980), where she played a small but memorable role, Betrayal (1983) alongside Ben Kingsley and Jeremy Irons, and more recently the 2024 comedy Arthur’s Whisky featuring Diane Keaton .
On stage, she is a highly respected theatre actress. She made her West End debut in 1972 and has received two Olivier Award nominations for Best Actress in a Musical. In 2000, she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the play Money . This blend of stage prestige and television popularity makes her one of Britain’s most respected character actors.
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Continuing the Legacy in the Dales
Patricia Hodge continues to delight audiences with her portrayal of Mrs. Pumphrey. As All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 progresses, her scenes offer a comforting presence. The series has already been renewed for Seasons 7 and 8, ensuring that viewers will see more of Hodge’s wonderful performance in the future .
For international viewers, the season is available on PBS in the US, having premiered in January 2026. In the UK, the series aired on Channel 5 in the autumn of 2025 . Whether she is fussing over Tricki Woo or engaging with the vets with her characteristic blend of high-society grace and gentle stubbornness, Patricia Hodge remains an integral part of the magic that makes All Creatures Great and Small a global favorite.
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