The All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 finale brings the holiday season to the Yorkshire Dales with emotional moments for the Skeldale House family. The episode titled “Comfort and Joy” airs on February 22, 2026, and delivers on the promises of its title while wrapping up storylines that have developed throughout the sixth season. Viewers finally learn what happens to Hilda the goat after her repeated run-ins with Siegfried Farnon, and an unexpected face from Siegfried’s younger days makes a surprise return to Darrowby.
When and Where to Watch the Season 6 Finale
The All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 Episode 7 premieres on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET on MASTERPIECE on PBS. For those who prefer streaming, the episode becomes available on the PBS app and PBS MASTERPIECE on Prime Video shortly after the broadcast airs. The running time for the finale is 58 minutes and 58 seconds .
Viewers in the United Kingdom who have been following along with the series can catch the episode on Channel 5, though the UK broadcast schedule typically follows the PBS premiere by a few months. International audiences across Canada, Australia, and other regions can access the show through their local public broadcasting services or streaming platforms that carry MASTERPIECE programming.
Hilda the Goat’s Tragic Fate Finally Revealed
One of the running jokes throughout All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 has been Siegfried’s ongoing battles with Hilda the goat. The cantankerous animal has caused no shortage of trouble for the senior Farnon brother, and the finale brings this storyline to a head. In “Comfort and Joy,” Siegfried has another confrontation with Hilda, but this time the outcome proves more serious than their previous encounters .
While promotional materials and previews for the episode have kept specific details under wraps, the situation with Hilda reaches a conclusion that viewers have been waiting for since her first appearance this season. The goat’s fate ties into the larger themes of the episode, which focuses on community coming together during the Christmas season. Siegfried’s professional skills as a veterinarian are put to the test as he deals with the aftermath of whatever happens between him and his four-legged nemesis.
An Old Flame Returns to Darrowby
The biggest surprise in the All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 finale involves Siegfried’s romantic past. An old flame makes her way back to Darrowby, stirring up memories and potentially complicating life at Skeldale House . This development arrives at an interesting time, as viewers have watched Siegfried and Mrs. Hall grow increasingly close throughout the season.
The identity of this returning character has not been fully revealed in promotional materials, but the timing of her arrival during the Christmas celebrations adds an extra layer of complexity to the holiday festivities. Given Siegfried’s history and his personality, seeing how he handles this unexpected reunion promises to provide some of the episode’s most memorable moments.
James Herriot Juggles Multiple Responsibilities
With Helen feeling unwell in the All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 finale, James finds himself taking on extra duties both at home and in the community. He ends up running the village Nativity play while also managing a growing list of veterinary calls . This situation showcases James’s dependable nature and his willingness to step up when his family needs him.
The Nativity play represents a key community event in Darrowby, and James’s involvement shows how fully integrated the Herriots have become in village life. His attempts to balance everything while worrying about Helen’s health creates some of the episode’s most heartfelt moments, highlighting the strong partnership that James and Helen have built over the years.
Tristan’s Forgotten Obligation
Tristan Farnon realizes he has forgotten something important as the holiday season unfolds . This revelation comes at a busy time for everyone at Skeldale House, and Tristan must figure out how to make things right. Throughout All Creatures Great and Small Season 6, Tristan has continued to mature and take on more responsibility, but this moment shows that he still has some lessons to learn.
The nature of what Tristan forgot ties into the episode’s themes of family and connection during Christmas. His journey to correct his mistake provides some of the episode’s lighter moments while still allowing for character growth. The relationship between Tristan and Siegfried remains central to the series, and this situation gives both brothers opportunities to show how far they have come since the show began.
What Led to the Season 6 Finale
The episodes leading up to the All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 finale set the stage for these emotional moments. In episode six, “Our Hearts Are Full,” the residents of Darrowby celebrated VJ Day as the end of the war brought mixed emotions for everyone . Mrs. Hall helped plan the celebrations while Tristan leaned on his brother when his wartime experiences affected him. Meanwhile, James puzzled over the mysterious disappearance of a newborn calf.
Earlier in the season, Siegfried and Mrs. Hall’s relationship reached new levels of understanding. In the season premiere, viewers learned that Mrs. Hall had left Skeldale House to be with her son and granddaughter in Sunderland . Siegfried did not handle her departure well, allowing the veterinary practice to fall into disrepair. Tristan and James traveled to Sunderland to speak with Mrs. Hall and encourage her to return. When she initially left early, thinking Siegfried did not want her to stay, he rushed to the train station to stop her.
“I drove her away,” Siegfried confessed to Tristan and James when they realized Mrs. Hall had gone .
At the station, Siegfried admitted he had tried to find a replacement for her, but nobody else compared. As they walked arm-in-arm back home, she said, “It’s good to be back,” and he replied, “It’s good to have you back” . This moment gave fans the emotional payoff they had been waiting for and set up their continued story in the finale.
More Cast Members and Their Roles in the Finale
The All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 cast brings these characters to life with their usual warmth and authenticity. Nicholas Ralph continues to embody James Herriot with his gentle approach to both animals and people. Rachel Shenton as Helen provides the steady presence that anchors the Herriot family, even when illness keeps her from participating fully in the holiday chaos.
Samuel West delivers another layered performance as Siegfried Farnon, balancing the character’s bluster with genuine emotion as he faces both professional challenges with Hilda and personal ones with his returning old flame. Anna Madeley as Mrs. Hall remains the heart of Skeldale House, even as she navigates her complicated feelings for Siegfried.
Callum Woodhouse brings charm and growing maturity to Tristan Farnon, whose forgotten obligation gives him room to show both his flaws and his fundamental goodness. The supporting cast of Darrowby residents fills out the community with their usual warmth and occasional eccentricity.
Future Seasons Confirmed for the Beloved Series
Fans worried about saying goodbye to Darrowby can breathe easy. All Creatures Great and Small has been picked up for both Season 7 and Season 8 . Filming is already underway for the seventh season, ensuring that viewers will have more adventures with the Skeldale House family for years to come. This early renewal speaks to the show’s continued popularity and the strong connection audiences feel with these characters.
The All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 finale serves as both a satisfying conclusion to the current season and a bridge to what comes next. While the episode wraps up storylines involving Hilda and Siegfried’s old flame, it also leaves room for these characters to continue growing in future seasons. The confirmation that Samuel West, Nicholas Ralph, Rachel Shenton, Anna Madeley, and Callum Woodhouse will return for more episodes gives fans plenty to look forward to.
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What Makes This Finale Special
The Christmas setting of “Comfort and Joy” adds warmth to the proceedings, even as characters face difficult situations. The Darrowby Nativity play, the holiday decorations, and the sense of community coming together during the darkest time of year all contribute to the episode’s atmosphere. For viewers who have followed these characters through wartime and its aftermath, seeing them celebrate together provides a sense of hope and continuity.
The return of Siegfried’s old flame raises questions about where his heart truly lies. After his emotional admission to Mrs. Hall earlier in the season, viewers have watched their relationship evolve into something deeper than employer and housekeeper. The arrival of someone from his past tests these new feelings and forces Siegfried to examine what he really wants.
Hilda the goat’s storyline, which has provided comic relief throughout the season, takes a more serious turn in the finale. The fate of this stubborn animal reflects the show’s ability to balance humor with genuine emotion, treating even its animal characters with respect and care.
All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 Episode 7 brings together everything fans love about the series: the beautiful Yorkshire setting, the caring community, the veterinary adventures, and the personal relationships that have grown over six seasons. With the promise of more episodes to come, viewers can enjoy this finale knowing that Darrowby’s stories are far from over.
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