The cobbled streets of Darrowby feel a little more complete now that an old friend has walked back into town. Viewers of the beloved Channel 5 and PBS drama All Creatures Great and Small were delighted to see a familiar face return during the Season 6 Christmas special. Dorothy, the warm and witty old friend of Mrs Hall who also shared a brief romantic spark with Siegfried Farnon, made her way back to the Yorkshire Dales after years abroad.
With her sudden arrival at the back door of Skeldale House, many fans are asking the same question: who is the actress bringing this beloved character back to life? Dorothy is played by the talented British actress Maimie McCoy, and her return has added a new layer of warmth and possibility to the post-war atmosphere of the show.
Maimie McCoy Brings Dorothy Back to Darrowby
Maimie McCoy first appeared in All Creatures Great and Small during the very first season. Back then, Dorothy was introduced as a close friend of Mrs Hall who came to visit Darrowby. Her chemistry with Siegfried Farnon was immediate, and the two shared a brief romance before Dorothy made the decision to move to Malta at the end of season one. Her departure left fans wondering what could have been for the couple.
Fast forward to the 2025 Christmas special, and Dorothy is back. The episode, set during the first Christmas after the end of World War II, sees Dorothy arrive unexpectedly at Skeldale House. Her return is not just a surprise for the characters but a moment filled with emotional weight. Having been in Malta, a location heavily bombed during the war, her sudden reappearance brings relief and joy to Mrs Hall, who had no idea if her dearest friend was safe.
Anna Madeley, who plays Mrs Hall, spoke about the significance of Dorothy’s return. She explained that having an old friend show up out of the blue during those times was extraordinary, especially when communication during the war was so difficult and people had to wait patiently to find out if their loved ones were alive . The reunion is a touching moment in the special, reminding viewers of the preciousness of old friendships.
A Career Built on Stage and Screen
While All Creatures Great and Small has introduced Maimie McCoy to a global audience, she is by no means a newcomer to the entertainment industry. McCoy has built a solid career across British television, film, and theatre, earning respect for her versatility and screen presence.
From Period Drama to Modern Crime Fighting
Before stepping into the Yorkshire Dales, Maimie McCoy was already a familiar face to fans of European crime drama. From 2020 to 2023, she starred in the popular series Van der Valk. She took on the role of Lucienne Hassell, a sharp and capable police officer working alongside the main detective. The show, set in Amsterdam, gave McCoy the chance to showcase her skills in a modern crime-fighting setting, a stark contrast to the gentle, historical world of Darrowby. Her time on Van der Valk is likely why fans hadn’t seen Dorothy for several seasons, as the actress was busy filming in the Netherlands .
Notable Television Roles
McCoy’s television credits span a wide range of popular British shows. She has appeared in the swashbuckling drama The Musketeers, where she played the่ง่ฒ of Ninon de Larroque, a glamorous and dangerous arms dealer who caused trouble for the heroes. She also had a role in the BBC’s adaptation of Les Misรฉrables, showcasing her ability to fit seamlessly into period pieces.
Other credits include appearances in long-running favorites like Midsomer Murders and Doctors. Each role has allowed her to demonstrate a different facet of her acting ability, from playing villains to sympathetic friends.
Film Work
On the big screen, Maimie McCoy has also made her mark. She starred alongside Dominic Cooper in the action-comedy The Escape Artist and appeared in the historical drama The Last Duel, directed by Ridley Scott. While her film roles are diverse, her work in television has made her a recognizable face in households across the UK and beyond.
What Dorothy’s Return Means for Skeldale
Dorothy’s return in the Christmas special is more than just a festive reunion. It opens up several interesting possibilities for the residents of Skeldale House, particularly for Siegfried and Mrs Hall.
For Mrs Hall, having her oldest and dearest friend back in the country is a huge relief and a source of joy. Their friendship is one of the few connections Mrs Hall has to her life before Skeldale, and having Dorothy nearby means she has someone to confide in outside the Farnon brothers. Anna Madeley hinted that having your mate nearby is a lovely thing, and that old friends are precious .
For Siegfried Farnon, Dorothy’s return is even more loaded with possibility. The two clearly had a connection in season one, and Siegfried’s character has been lonely since then. Samuel West, who plays Siegfried, previously expressed hope that his character might find love again, saying he deserves it and that it would bring out new sides of him . Dorothy walking back into his life could very well be that second chance.
The Christmas episode leaves their relationship on a hopeful note. With Dorothy back in England and potentially staying for the long term, the door is wide open for Siegfried and Dorothy to rekindle their romance in a potential future season. Mrs Hall, watching from the sidelines, seems excited about the possibility of good things happening for everyone in the house.
Maimie McCoy: Personal Life and Background
Maimie McCoy was born in 1981 in Richmond, North Yorkshire, making her connection to the All Creatures Great and Small setting quite fitting. She trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) , one of the oldest and most respected drama schools in the United Kingdom. This classical training laid the foundation for her ability to move between stage and screen with ease.
Off-screen, McCoy keeps her personal life relatively private. She is known to be in a long-term relationship and has a child. Her grounded nature and dedication to her craft have earned her the respect of her peers in the industry. When she returned to the set of All Creatures for the Christmas special, her former co-stars were thrilled. Anna Madeley described having her back as brilliant because she is wonderful to work with .
Where to See More of Maimie McCoy
For viewers who have fallen in love with Dorothy and want to see more of Maimie McCoy’s work, there are plenty of options. All four seasons of Van der Valk are available to stream, allowing fans to see her in a completely different role as a no-nonsense detective. Her episodes of The Musketeers and Midsomer Murders are also available on various streaming platforms and DVD collections.
As for All Creatures Great and Small, the Christmas special is available to stream on Channel 5’s streaming service in the UK. For viewers in the United States, the sixth season, including the Christmas episode, premieres on PBS and MASTERPIECE on Sunday, January 11, 2026 . The episode will be available for streaming on the PBS website and app for a limited time after broadcast, and PBS Passport members can watch it anytime.
Also Read:
A Warm Welcome Back
The return of Dorothy to Darrowby is exactly the kind of heartening moment fans of All Creatures Great and Small have come to love. It connects the present of the show to its past while looking forward to a hopeful future. Thanks to Maimie McCoyโs warm and nuanced performance, Dorothy feels like she never left.
Whether she is sharing a quiet moment with Mrs Hall or exchanging glances with Siegfried, McCoy brings a sense of history and depth to the character. As the series moves forward, the possibility of seeing more of Dorothy in the Dales is an exciting prospect for viewers who have grown attached to the residents of Skeldale House and their ever-expanding family circle.
Also Read: Industry Season 4 Episode 7 Cast and Character Guide: Whoโs Who in โPoints of Emphasisโ
Stay connected with VvipTimes for the most recent updates, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the shows you love most.
