All Creatures Great and Small season 6 brings a much darker emotional journey for Tristan Farnon (Callum Woodhouse) as he returns from the frontlines of World War II carrying deep psychological scars. While the Yorkshire Dales celebrate peace, Tristan struggles to find peace within himself. Enter Charlotte Beauvoir (Gaia Wise), a new love interest who does something no one else in Darrowby canโshe helps him heal on his own terms. Woodhouse recently opened up about why Charlotte is exactly what Tristan needs right now and how their bond develops during this difficult time.
Tristan’s Hidden Wounds Come to Light
When viewers catch up with Tristan in season 6, he is not the same carefree younger brother who left Skeldale House. The war has changed him. Callum Woodhouse explained that Tristan experienced “a more traditional experience of war” during his service in Italy, and the impact runs deep .
Throughout the season, an “undercurrent of emotional distress” follows Tristan everywhere . He struggles to readjust to civilian life, and the sights and sounds of the Dales, once his comfort zone, now feel foreign. The Christmas special brings his pain to the surface when he admits he cannot stop thinking about the horrors he witnessed, including the death of his best friend .
Tristan wants to embrace the festivities and be present with his family, but the noise in his head will not shut off. This is where Charlotte Beauvoir enters the picture and proves she is different from any woman Tristan has known before.
Charlotte’s Gentle Approach to Healing
Instead of running away from Tristan’s pain or telling him to simply “get a grip,” Charlotte does something far more effective. She stands firmly by his side and gently encourages him to open up, understanding that talking is part of the healing process .
Woodhouse explained why Charlotte works so well for Tristan at this moment in his life: “I think she’s come into his life at a time when he just really, really needs her” . The actor emphasized that while Tristan and Charlotte have great chemistry and genuinely enjoy each other’s company, there is something deeper at play.
“Tristan, right now, needs someone who is sympathetic and understanding to what he’s been through, and is very much still going through. And Charlotte is just that, in spades” .
What makes Charlotte uniquely qualified to help Tristan? According to Woodhouse, she brings two crucial qualities to their relationship. First, she has been through some of it herself, given her own service during the war. This shared experience gives her a level of understanding that others cannot offer. Second, and perhaps more importantly, “she’s just a very kind character who allows Tristan to, in his own time, and in his own way, find his way back” .
A Love That Accepts Tristan As He Is
Perhaps the most beautiful aspect of Charlotte’s love for Tristan is that she accepts him completely in his current state. Woodhouse shared that Charlotte “loves Tristan for who he is, not for who he once was, or could be again” .
This acceptance matters enormously for someone dealing with trauma. Tristan does not feel pressure to pretend he is okay or to revert to his pre-war personality. Charlotte gives him space to be exactly where he is, while gently supporting his journey forward.
Their relationship reaches a turning point during the Christmas special at a tree farm surrounded by firs. In a supremely romantic moment, Tristan tells Charlotte he loves her, and she says it back . The confession feels earned because viewers have watched Charlotte stand with Tristan through his darkest moments.
The Christmas Tree Farm Confession
The Christmas special scene at the tree farm carries extra weight because of everything that leads up to it. Tristan finally allows himself to be vulnerable with someone, and Charlotte receives his love without hesitation. Woodhouse described working with Gaia Wise as “a joy,” adding that “she plays it wonderfully” .
Anna Madeley, who plays Mrs. Hall, also weighed in on Tristan’s new relationship during interviews. She noted that it is “lovely” to see Tristan finally find someone he can be his authentic self around and share all of his worries with . Madeley observed: “He’s a man now and he needs, it’s not just a maternal figure, he needs a partner and needs that kind of care and fun in his life. It has all been really beautiful” .
Why Charlotte Is Different From Tristan’s Past Romances
Fans of All Creatures Great and Small remember Tristan as something of a ladies’ man in earlier seasons. He jumped from girl to girl without much thought about the future. But Woodhouse confirmed that season 6 shows a matured Tristan who is past that stage .
“Tristan is maturing, becoming more independent, and taking on more responsibility,” the actor revealed. “I think he’s past that stage now, where he’s jumping from girl to girl. So, is he ready for something more serious? It’s been really fun to play” .
Charlotte represents that seriousness. She is not just another fling but a genuine partner who sees Tristan clearly and loves what she sees. Their relationship develops naturally through the season, beginning when Tristan answers a call to examine her beloved horse . Despite the class barrier between themโCharlotte comes from extreme wealth while Tristan has modest meansโhe manages to win over even her father .
A Parallel Love Story
Interestingly, Woodhouse pointed out that Tristan and Charlotte’s relationship mirrors another dynamic happening at Skeldale House. While Tristan and Charlotte navigate their class differences with her wealthy background and his more humble origins, Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) and Mrs. Hall (Anna Madeley) face their own social barriers with Mrs. Hall as the housekeeper and Siegfried as the man in charge .
“It’s just funny that you’ve got those two playing sort of in tandem,” Woodhouse observed. He added that both couples have “really great chemistry,” and he is interested to see how both relationships are further explored in future episodes .
The Church Scene Breakthrough
The emotional climax of Tristan’s healing journey comes in episode 6, titled “Our Hearts Are Full.” After Japan surrenders, Tristan experiences intense guilt about the circumstances under which he earned his Military Cross. He isolates himself in his room with premium whisky, unable to join the celebrations .
Seeking escape, Tristan retreats to the church. Mrs. Hall and Siegfried find him there, and what follows is one of the most powerful scenes in the series. Siegfried initially babbles awkwardly, but when he finally signals that he is truly listening, Tristan pours out his story and his heart .
Siegfried’s comforting hug provides the release Tristan has needed all season. The review from Lady Geeks Media described this moment perfectly: “The close-up of their embrace shows Tristan sobbing and Siegfried being a container for some of the pain” . This brotherly moment, combined with Charlotte’s steady support, allows Tristan to finally begin processing his trauma.
Woodhouse Praises Co-Star Gaia Wise
Behind the scenes, Callum Woodhouse has nothing but praise for his new co-star. Gaia Wise, daughter of famous actors Emma Thompson and Greg Wise, joined the cast in season 6 and quickly became a beloved member of the ensemble .
Woodhouse told reporters: “Gaia’s absolutely amazing. I think we had a really nice chemistry on set. She’s a great actress. And I think her character, Charlotte Beauvoir, is a great addition” .
He also shared how quickly Wise integrated into the cast family. When Rachel Shenton (Helen) returned for a week of filming after giving birth, the entire cast went out for a big family dinner. “Gaia came along and Patricia [Hodge] as well, so it was like a slightly extended family dinner and it was glorious” .
Interestingly, Samuel West has worked with Emma Thompson in the past, giving him common ground with Wise. Woodhouse noted that West experienced moments of deja vu on set, telling him “it was like he suddenly felt transported back 30 years ago to being on set with Emma” .
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What’s Next for Tristan and Charlotte
With All Creatures Great and Small officially renewed for seasons 7 and 8, fans have plenty of time to watch Tristan and Charlotte’s relationship develop . Woodhouse hinted that he believes wedding bells could be in their future.
“I think so,” he nodded when asked about potential marriage. “I think they’re a really great pair” .
The actor added that he finds the parallel love stories fascinating and is eager to see how both relationships are explored in upcoming episodes. For now, Tristan has found something preciousโa partner who sees his wounds and loves him anyway, who gives him space to heal, and who accepts him exactly as he is.
As Woodhouse beautifully summarized: “Not only has she been through some of it herself, but she’s just a very kind character who allows Tristan to, in his own time, and in his own way, find his way back” .
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