The residents of Skeldale House are back, and life in the Yorkshire Dales is as eventful as ever. Samuel West, who plays the mercurial veterinarian Siegfried Farnon, has been sharing some delightful behind-the-scenes stories from the making of All Creatures Great and Small Season 6. The current season, which premiered in the US on PBS on January 11, 2026, has taken fans on an emotional journey through the end of World War II, complete with time jumps, returning characters, and plenty of animal antics. But according to West, some of the funniest moments happened when the cameras weren’t even rolling .
The new season picks up in May 1945, nearly four years after where Season 5 left off. Victory in Europe has been declared, but peace hasn’t exactly settled over Skeldale House just yet. James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) is juggling veterinary work with family life, Tristan (Callum Woodhouse) has returned from the war carrying invisible wounds, and Siegfried has been living alone with disastrous results. The house has fallen into chaos without Mrs. Hall (Anna Madeley), who left to care for her injured son Edward .
But amid all the drama and heartfelt moments, Samuel West has been lifting the curtain on what really happens during filming. His revelations give fans a whole new appreciation for the beloved series.
Learning to Love the Animals
One of the fun secrets Samuel West shared involves his early days on set and his journey to becoming comfortable with the four-legged cast members. The actor admitted that working with animals wasn’t always natural for him, and the show’s veterinary advisor played a huge role in teaching him the ropes .
West recalled an early lesson from Andy Barrett, the show’s vet advisor, that really stuck with him. Barrett introduced him to a horse breeder who wanted to demonstrate how to check a horse’s teeth properly. The breeder opened the horse’s mouth, grabbed its tongue in a way West described as “pretty messy,” and then asked the actor to hold onto it. West’s honest reaction? “It takes absolute confidence and I thought, ‘okay I am not ready to do that yet but maybe for season two’” .
That kind of honesty is exactly why fans love Samuel West. He doesn’t pretend to be an animal expert just because he plays a vet on television. Instead, he’s open about the learning curve and the respect he has for the real professionals who handle the animals on set.
Six seasons later, West has clearly come a long way. The chemistry between him and the animal actors feels completely natural on screen. Those early moments of uncertainty are long gone, replaced by the confidence of a seasoned performer who has learned to work with everything from sheep to rats.
Siegfried’s Emotional Journey This Season
While West enjoys sharing funny stories, he’s also been open about the deeper aspects of playing Siegfried in Season 6. This year has been particularly challenging for his character, and West has approached it with the nuance that fans have come to expect.
When Season 6 begins, Siegfried is a mess. Plain and simple. Without Mrs. Hall around to keep things running smoothly, he’s let Skeldale House fall into disarray. The practice is struggling, his temper is worse than ever, and he’s been staying out all hours of the night. But underneath all that chaos is a man who simply doesn’t know how to process his feelings .
West has masterfully played Siegfried’s vulnerability hiding behind bluster. When James finally calls Mrs. Hall and asks her to come back, Siegfried initially reacts with anger rather than gratitude. He’s mad that others noticed he couldn’t cope. He’s embarrassed that his struggles were so obvious. And most of all, he’s terrified of how much he actually needs her .
The train station scene in the premiere episode became an instant classic. Siegfried running across the tracks, calling out “Mrs. Hall” repeatedly, and only stopping her when he finally yells “Audrey” – it was the kind of moment fans had been waiting for across multiple seasons. His breathless confession that no one else could ever replace her because “they’re not you” was simple, direct, and utterly perfect for a man who usually hides behind big words and bigger opinions.
The Truth About Tristan
Another area where Samuel West has offered valuable insight is his younger brother Tristan’s storyline this season. Callum Woodhouse’s character returns from war service in Italy, and while he initially seems like the same old Tristan – all jokes and easy charm – there’s clearly something darker underneath .
West hinted at this development even before the season aired. He pointed out that Siegfried had a terrible first world war, seeing animals suffer and watching colleagues struggle for years afterward. “Tristan is all breeze and joy and drink and the club,” West observed. “I suspect that there must be something under that, but he won’t talk about it, and it’s a very interesting thing to play” .
Those suspicions proved accurate. As Season 6 has progressed, Tristan’s hidden trauma has come bubbling to the surface. In Episode 6, titled “Our Hearts Are Full,” which aired on February 15, 2026, Tristan finally broke down and shared his experiences with Siegfried. He talked about stepping on land mines, losing his friend Billy who saved his life, and feeling unworthy of the Military Cross he received .
The church scene between the brothers was devastating television. Callum Woodhouse poured everything into that moment, and Samuel West matched him beat for beat. Siegfried didn’t offer easy answers or try to fix anything. He just listened and stayed present – exactly what his brother needed .
The X-Ray Machine That Caused Chaos
Not every story from Season 6 has been purely emotional. Some have been genuinely funny, including the drama surrounding James’s decision to buy an X-ray machine for the practice .
In Episode 2, “Old Dog, New Tricks,” which aired January 18, 2026, James invested in expensive new technology without fully consulting Siegfried. The senior vet was not pleased. He resisted the purchase mainly because of the cost, but also because he genuinely doubted how useful the machine would be in their small practice .
His skepticism seemed validated when the X-ray machine promptly knocked out all the electricity in Skeldale House. The timing couldn’t have been worse, and Siegfried’s I-told-you-so expression was absolutely priceless. Samuel West played that scene with just the right amount of smug satisfaction mixed with genuine frustration .
But the story didn’t end there. Despite the rocky start, the practice kept the machine and figured out how to make it work. A local nun named Sister Rose (Elexi Walker) even arranged for them to use the hospital’s dark room to develop their X-rays properly. It was a reminder that progress isn’t always smooth, but it’s worth pursuing anyway .
Mrs. Hall Holds It All Together
Through all the chaos, Anna Madeley’s Mrs. Hall remains the steady heart of Skeldale House. After returning permanently in the premiere, she’s had her hands full dealing with Siegfried’s lingering issues and the fallout from his behavior around town .
In Episode 2, Mrs. Hall discovered just how badly Siegfried’s antics had affected his reputation. Shopkeepers were rude to her, treating her coldly because of things Siegfried had done or said while she was away. She confronted him about it directly, comparing him to a blind mole rat in a moment of frustration that was both funny and completely justified .
To his credit, Siegfried listened. He went around town and apologized to everyone he had offended, smoothing things over so Mrs. Hall could go about her errands in peace. When she later worried she had been too hard on him, he assured her she had said what needed to be said – though he did add a warning about never comparing him to a blind mole rat again .
That exchange perfectly captures what makes their relationship so special. They can be completely honest with each other, even when the truth hurts. They can fight and make up and keep moving forward together. After six seasons, that foundation feels earned and real.
Guest Stars and New Faces
Season 6 has also introduced some wonderful new characters, and Samuel West has been characteristically generous in praising his fellow actors .
Gaia Wise joined the cast as Charlotte Beauvoir, a socially prominent young woman who arrives in Darrowby with an ailing horse. Executive producer Melissa Gallant noted that “everybody wanted to write more scenes and episodes for her,” which says a lot about how well Wise fit into the ensemble .
Charlotte has become a potential love interest for Tristan, adding another layer to his already complicated homecoming. Their scenes together have a lightness that provides welcome balance to some of the season’s heavier moments.
Other new faces this season include Lucy-Jo Hudson, Jonathan Hyde, Philip Martin Brown, and Chris Gascoyne, all of whom have blended seamlessly into the world of Darrowby .
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What’s Coming in the Finale
As Season 6 heads toward its conclusion, fans have plenty to look forward to. The finale, titled “Comfort and Joy,” airs on February 22, 2026 on PBS . It promises a Christmas celebration in 1945 – the first peaceful holiday since before the war began.
James will find himself handling the Darrowby Nativity play while Helen is sick, which sounds like a recipe for gentle comedy. The Skeldale darts team will join forces to try winning a turkey for Christmas, because nothing brings people together like friendly competition. And given the show’s track record with holiday episodes, viewers should probably keep tissues handy .
The season has already delivered some of the most powerful moments in the series history. Siegfried finally putting his feelings into words for Mrs. Hall. Tristan breaking down and letting his brother see his pain. James and Helen navigating family life while supporting everyone around them. Through it all, the show has maintained its signature blend of warmth, humor, and genuine emotion.
Samuel West’s fun secrets and thoughtful insights have given fans even more reason to appreciate the care and craft that goes into every episode. From learning to handle horse tongues to playing some of the most vulnerable scenes of his career, he has poured everything into bringing Siegfried Farnon to life.
For viewers in the USA, new episodes air Sundays at 9/8c on PBS. Canadian viewers can check local PBS listings or stream via the PBS app with Passport access. UK audiences can watch on Channel 5, with episodes typically following the US broadcast schedule. Australian fans can find the series on streaming platforms that carry PBS content .
The world of Darrowby continues to offer comfort, joy, and the reminder that even in difficult times, community matters most. With Season 7 and 8 already confirmed, fans can rest easy knowing there are many more stories to come from this beloved corner of Yorkshire .
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