Jenny Alderson, the youngest daughter of the Alderson family, made a big decision in the latest season of All Creatures Great and Small that left many viewers emotional. The character, played by Imogen Clawson, chose to leave her home in the Yorkshire Dales to pursue nursing training in London. This departure sparked questions among fans about whether Jenny has left the show for good or if she will be back in future episodes. Here is what we know about her exit and what the future holds for Jenny.
Jenny’s Emotional Decision to Leave for Nursing College
In Season 6, Jenny received the news she had been waiting for—a letter confirming her place at a nursing college in London. While her sister Helen Herriot (Rachel Shenton) and father Richard Alderson (Tony Pitts) felt proud of her, they also struggled with the reality of her leaving home .
Helen, who has acted as a mother figure to Jenny after their mother passed away, initially found it hard to accept the move. She worried that Jenny was not ready for life in a big city like London. However, after talking with her husband James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) , Helen realised that leaving home is a natural part of growing up. James pointed out that no one is ever truly ready for such a big change, but it often leads to the greatest adventures in life .
Jenny herself had doubts. She admitted to Helen that she did not know anything about London, where things were, or anyone there. But Helen encouraged her, telling her that discovering all those new things is what makes an adventure worthwhile. By the end of the episode, Jenny made the brave choice to accept her place and move to London .
To help Jenny settle in, Richard suggested that Helen accompany her sister to London for a few weeks. Helen agreed, which meant leaving James to manage things at home with their two children. This temporary separation was felt both on-screen and off, as Rachel Shenton was also on maternity leave during part of the filming .
Will Jenny Return to the Show? Official Confirmation
Despite Jenny leaving for London, the character has not been written out of the series. Paramount Media Networks, the parent company of Channel 5 which broadcasts the show, confirmed that Jenny remains a part of the main cast .
In an official statement, they said: “Jenny Alderson is currently studying in London but continues to be an important part of the All Creatures Great and Small family and a core character in the show” .
This confirmation means that viewers can expect to see Jenny again in future episodes. The character is simply away at school, which leaves the door open for her to return home during holidays, for special family occasions, or even after she completes her training. Fans are already hoping to see her appear in the upcoming Christmas special, though this has not been officially confirmed yet .
Imogen Clawson’s Journey as Jenny
Imogen Clawson was only 13 years old when she first landed the role of Jenny when the series began in 2020. Over the years, viewers have watched her character grow from a young girl into a young woman ready to explore the world beyond the Dales .
Her co-star Rachel Shenton has spoken warmly about working with Clawson. She told Masterpiece that Clawson is “gorgeous, absolutely lovely” and “a joy to be around.” Shenton also mentioned that she is “so bright, and a pleasure on and off set,” and that it has been wonderful to see her grow as an actor. The two actresses even hang out outside of work, sometimes going to Nando’s together to catch up on life .
This close relationship between the actresses mirrors the bond between Helen and Jenny on screen, making their emotional goodbye in Season 6 feel even more authentic.
What Jenny’s Storyline Means for the Show
Jenny’s departure represents another wave of change for the characters in All Creatures Great and Small. Rachel Shenton explained ahead of Season 6 that Jenny’s storyline is about “another wave of change.” She noted that viewers had seen signs of Jenny wondering what else was out there, talking about cities and new experiences, especially after meeting Doris (Caroline Menton) , a volunteer with the Women’s Land Army who came from Leeds .
Doris, who traded a department store job for farm work, opened Jenny’s eyes to life outside the Dales. This friendship played a part in Jenny’s decision to seek new opportunities.
For Helen, watching her little sister leave made her reflect on her own life and the opportunities she did not have. As Shenton put it, it was “a bittersweet moment, but also a lovely evolution in their relationship” .
What About a Potential Season 7?
As of now, there has been no official announcement about Season 7 of All Creatures Great and Small. However, the show has delivered a new season every year since 2020, with seasons arriving in September or October. If Season 7 gets the green light, it would likely air around September or October 2026 .
Nicholas Ralph has expressed his desire to continue with the show, telling RadioTimes.com that he would love to do more. Callum Woodhouse (Tristan Farnon) is also keen to return, though he believes there is an end in sight eventually. He noted that the team does not want to outstay their welcome or keep going until the show starts to feel stale, but he also feels there are absolutely more stories to tell .
Should the show continue, it remains to be seen exactly when Jenny will reappear. She is now based in London for her nursing studies, but her family is still in Darrowby, providing plenty of reasons for her to visit home.
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Where to Watch All Creatures Great and Small
All Creatures Great and Small airs on Channel 5 on Thursdays at 9pm in the UK . In the United States, the show is available on PBS as part of the Masterpiece anthology, and all seasons can be streamed on the PBS website and the free PBS App, available on various devices including iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Samsung Smart TV .
For fans in other regions, the show is also available on 5 in the UK and through various streaming platforms internationally .
While Jenny has left Darrowby for now, the official confirmation from the network assures fans that this is not a permanent goodbye. Her journey to London opens up new storytelling possibilities, and viewers can look forward to seeing her again when she returns home to visit the family and friends she left behind.
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