The cast of All Creatures Great and Small is known for their tight-knit chemistry both on and off screen, but even they were left in awe watching one of their own deliver what they describe as a career-best performance. Callum Woodhouse, who plays the lovable Tristan Farnon in the Channel 5 and PBS hit series, has heaped praise on his co-star Anna Madeley for her emotional portrayal of Mrs Hall in the Season 5 finale, admitting that her acting was so powerful it made everyone else raise their game.
The fifth season of the beloved drama, which aired its final episode as a Christmas special in December 2024 on Channel 5 and later on PBS in early 2025, put Mrs Hall at the center of a devastating storyline. The housekeeper of Skeldale House received the news that every mother during wartime dreaded—her son Edward’s ship, the HMS Repulse, had been sunk by the Japanese. For two agonizing weeks, she waited for confirmation of whether Edward was alive or dead, and Madeley’s portrayal of that emotional turmoil has been hailed as nothing short of extraordinary by her fellow actors.
Callum Woodhouse: ‘Her Performance Is Nothing Short of Masterful’
In interviews surrounding the finale, Callum Woodhouse did not hold back his admiration for what Anna Madeley achieved in the episode. Speaking to the Yorkshire Post and other outlets ahead of the Christmas special, Woodhouse explained how watching Madeley work was a masterclass in acting.
“Her performance in this episode is just nothing short of masterful, I think,” Woodhouse said. He went on to describe the unique effect Madeley had on the rest of the cast during filming. “It’s a weird thing as well, it sort of makes you a better actor, being in a team with someone who’s delivering that strong a performance.”
Woodhouse elaborated on how Madeley’s commitment to the role created a ripple effect on set. “When someone’s that in the world and in the moment, it puts you in the moment. You forget that you’re acting because you feel like you’re just opposite something that’s actually really happening,” he explained. The young actor concluded his praise with a statement that underscores just how impactful Madeley’s work was. “So as well as being an absolute star of the episode, I really do think her performance in this one makes us all look better.”
Rachel Shenton Also Praises Co-Star’s ‘Beautiful’ Work
Woodhouse was not the only cast member to sing Madeley’s praises. Rachel Shenton, who plays Helen Herriot, also spoke about the weight of the storyline and how Madeley handled it with grace. Shenton noted that the entire cast felt the gravity of what Mrs Hall was going through, and that Madely’s performance made it impossible not to be emotionally invested.
“It had such poignancy and weight to it,” Shenton said. “Anna did it beautifully. You couldn’t help but be on that journey with Mrs Hall.” Shenton added that the storyline was so significant that it affected the atmosphere on set. “All the characters were going through that with Mrs Hall. It was at the forefront of everyone’s mind, because it was so big. We knew that the stakes were really high. We knew that things, you know, really, potentially might never be the same again.”
Mrs Hall’s Emotional Journey in the Season 5 Finale
The Season 5 finale, which doubled as the Christmas special, was titled “All God’s Creatures” and took a much more somber tone than previous holiday outings. Instead of the usual festive cheer and lighthearted competition over who would don the green Santa suit, the episode focused on Mrs Hall’s quiet desperation.
The episode, scripted by Jamie Crichton, showed Mrs Hall learning that her son’s ship had been sunk. With no immediate word on survivors, she was left to carry on with daily life while carrying the heaviest of burdens. Madeley’s performance captured every nuance of a mother trying to hold herself together while her world crumbled. She kept her distance from the other residents of Skeldale House, unable to engage in polite conversation or accept comfort.
A particularly moving scene involved Mrs Hall finding solace in caring for a wounded fox that had wandered into the animal shed. The creature became a silent companion during her darkest hours. When Siegfried (Samuel West) suggested putting the injured animal to sleep, Mrs Hall broke down, crying, “He’s one of God’s creatures. Why should you get to decide if he lives or dies?” The moment was a raw outpouring of the grief and helplessness she felt about her son’s unknown fate.
Madeley later explained the thinking behind her performance. “A lot of those episodes where there’s been emotional content, the content has been so engaging that it’s transported you into that emotion,” she told TV Insider. “It was exhausting to shoot, because every day was emotionally draining. On the other hand, we had an enormous amount of fun shooting it because we were having to make big, strong decisions.”
The Christmas Morning Payoff
The emotional tension finally broke on Christmas morning when Edward was able to phone his mother from a hospital in Singapore. He was wounded but alive. Madeley’s portrayal of that moment—from the ringing phone to the tearful, joyful conversation—provided one of the most touching scenes in the show’s history.
Later, as the Skeldale family gathered around the table for Christmas dinner, Mrs Hall thanked them for their support. “I don’t think I’d have got through them without your kindness and your understanding,” she confessed, bringing a sense of closure to the harrowing two-week wait.
Nicholas Ralph on Mrs Hall’s Role in the Skeldale Family
Nicholas Ralph, who plays James Herriot, also weighed in on the importance of Mrs Hall’s character and why this storyline resonated so deeply. He described Mrs Hall as the emotional anchor of the household.
“Mrs Hall is like the mother of this surrogate family,” Ralph explained. “She’s the middle point, and we all revolve around her. She helps everyone, fixes people’s problems, and looks after everybody. So, when she’s going through something very painful and emotional, you can’t help but empathise and want to do anything you can to take away some of that pain or burden.”
Fan Reactions to the Finale
Viewers were just as moved as the cast. While some fans took to social media to express disappointment over the lack of romantic progress between Mrs Hall and Siegfried in the season, the overwhelming response to Madeley’s acting was positive.
One fan wrote on social media, “Brilliant acting as always #AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall #acgas.” Another added, “What a gorgeous wonderful episode. Made me cry and made me laugh and showed us proper family at end. Too adorable.” A third viewer summed up the general feeling, saying, “It’s ended way too soon, what a brilliant episode tonight. Really going to miss #ACGAS & its wonderful, incredible cast.”
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What’s Ahead for Season 6
With Season 5 wrapped, the cast and crew are already preparing for the sixth season. Filming is scheduled to begin soon, though details about the plot remain under wraps. Given the historical timeline, the war continues to loom large, and Edward’s safety remains an open question.
As for the much-debated potential romance between Mrs Hall and Siegfried, both Anna Madeley and Samuel West have urged patience. Madeley told reporters, “We get asked this quite a lot. Sam said this to me the other day…. These are people who’ve had relationships before, they’re at a different time in their lives. There’s no mad rush to it, and there’s time for that relationship to evolve. I think we both as actors feel like we want it to evolve truthfully and take the time it takes.”
For now, fans can revisit the emotional highs and lows of Season 5, which is available to stream on the PBS app with Passport and on the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel. The season serves as a reminder of why this gentle period drama has captured hearts around the world—and why Anna Madeley’s portrayal of Mrs Hall remains one of its greatest treasures.
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