The sun has set on another series of All Creatures Great and Small, and while the skies over Darrowby were lit with celebratory bonfires marking the end of World War II, the Season 6 finale left viewers with several emotional and narrative threads that are yet to be tied up. As the Skeldale family looks toward a peaceful future, the journey to get there for some characters has only just begun.
The episode, titled “Our Hearts Are Full,” which aired on PBS on February 22, 2026, brought the war to a close but opened new, deeply personal battles for the Farnon brothers and those they love. With the show already renewed for both a Season 7 and Season 8, here is a look at the biggest questions heading into the next chapter .
Tristan’s Long Road to Recovery
The most significant and heart-wrenching storyline of the finale centered on Tristan Farnon (Callum Woodhouse) . After months of keeping up a brave face, Tristan finally broke down in the village church, confessing to his brother Siegfried (Samuel West) the traumatic realities of his service during the war.
Tristan revealed that he earned his Military Cross not just for bravery, but under horrific circumstances. He described how his unit was caught in a minefield, where his close friend Billy was mortally wounded. Billy’s warning not to move saved Tristan’s life, allowing him to tend to wounded horses and a few other men, but he was unable to save his friend. “The cross should be his, not mine,” Tristan sobbed .
The trigger for his breakdown was a frightened shire horse named Weissmuller, whose panic mirrored the fear Tristan saw in the horses during the attack. While the finale showed a glimmer of hope—Tristan was able to face the horse with Siegfried’s help and even lit the V-J Day bonfire while wearing his medal—his recovery is far from over .
The biggest question for Season 7 is whether Tristan can truly heal. Callum Woodhouse has described his character’s state as one where “the cloud descends over his brain again” when he is left to his own thoughts . The joy of peacetime will now be shadowed by the psychological wounds of war, known today as PTSD. Will Tristan return to his cheerful, mischievous self, or will the war have permanently changed him? His relationship with Charlotte Beauvoir (Gaia Wise), who shared a meaningful connection with him during his leave, also hangs in the balance. Can he build a future while still haunted by his past?
The Fate of Siegfried and Mrs. Hall’s Relationship
For several seasons, fans have noticed a growing warmth and mutual dependence between Siegfried Farnon and his housekeeper, Mrs. Audrey Hall (Anna Madeley) . The finale subtly pushed this relationship further into the spotlight. When Siegfried realized he couldn’t find Tristan, he immediately turned to Mrs. Hall, admitting, “I’ve learned the answer is usually Mrs. Hall” .
Later, at the celebratory bonfire, Siegfried told Mrs. Hall that he would “always need her.” This line, delivered with deep affection, has fueled fan speculation that a romantic relationship is on the horizon. Online fan communities have noted the increasing closeness between the characters, with many expressing they are “glad we’re getting closer to Audrey & Siegfried” .
Season 7 will need to address whether these two will finally acknowledge their feelings. With the war over and the household settling back into a routine, the dynamic at Skeldale House is poised to shift. Will they remain employer and employee, or will they take a step toward becoming a true partnership in every sense of the word?
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Will Skeldale House Fully Reunite?
The war scattered the Skeldale family. James and Helen Herriot (Rachel Shenton) had been living at Heston Grange farm to help her father, and Mrs. Hall had been away. The finale saw them all coming together to celebrate the end of the war, but the logistical questions of daily life remain unanswered.
With the return of peace, the core question is: will everyone move back to Skeldale House? Now that James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) and Helen have their growing family, including young Jimmy, will they return to live under Siegfried’s roof, or will they seek a place of their own? The close quarters of Skeldale have always been central to the show’s charm, but the post-war era may bring changes to their living situation and how the veterinary practice is run.
The Fate of Returning Soldiers Like Tom Chapman
The finale also touched on the struggles of another returning soldier. Tom Chapman (Lamin Touray) , husband to barmaid Grace (Cat Simmons) , had been discharged but was struggling to readjust, avoiding company and finding it difficult to settle back into village life . By the end of the episode, he found purpose by accepting a job at Richard Alderson’s farm.
His story serves as a parallel to Tristan’s and raises questions about how the community will support its returning servicemen. Season 7 may delve deeper into the social changes happening in the Dales, exploring how the war has reshaped not just individuals, but the entire fabric of the community. The presence of characters like Tom suggests the show will continue to handle the post-war adjustment with the same gentle sensitivity it always has.
What’s Next for James and Helen’s Family?
James and Helen spent much of Season 6 navigating life away from Skeldale while caring for her father, Richard. With the war’s end, their focus may shift back to their own family and their future in veterinary practice. James has always been a dedicated veterinarian, but with more vets returning to the area, will the practice face new challenges or competition?
Furthermore, the dynamic between James and Siegfried may evolve. With Tristan home and potentially struggling, Siegfried’s attention might be divided, leaving James to take on more responsibility. The professional and personal balance at Skeldale is sure to be a central theme as the series moves forward.
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All Creatures Great and Small Season 7 Release Info
For fans eager to see how these stories unfold, the wait won’t be too long. All Creatures Great and Small has been officially renewed for a seventh and eighth season, each consisting of six episodes and a Christmas special .
Filming for Season 7 is scheduled to begin in the Yorkshire Dales in early 2026 . Following the show’s typical release pattern, viewers in the UK on Channel 5 can likely expect the new season around September 2026. For audiences in the USA, PBS Masterpiece will probably air the season in early 2027, following the Christmas special . The show’s ability to blend emotional depth with the comfort of rural life ensures that the answers to these lingering questions are highly anticipated by viewers around the world.
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