All Creatures Great and Small: Series 6 – DVD Review
By Karl Hornsey
The juggernaut that is the reboot of All Creatures Great and Small shows no signs of stopping any time soon, and fans of the Yorkshire Dales-set drama will be delighted to learn that series six is now available on DVD, with the added bonus of the Christmas Special – All God’s Creatures – from series five.
Watching these six episodes will certainly whet the appetite for the upcoming festive special, which is set to air on Channel 5 on Christmas Eve and, as with series six, promises to be an emotional occasion. The reason being is that the series is the first since the end of the Second World War, as the residents and visitors to Skeldale House try to settle back into some sort of normality, after the incomprehensible change to the lives of everyone involved.
All of the regular characters are in place and, thanks to the usual collection of loveable pets and livestock, there’s no rest for the veterinary trio of James, Siegfried and Tristan. While James may desire a little peace and quiet, it’s not giving away any secrets when saying that he gets no such luck, with his family life proving more complicated than ever and, of course, the irascible and unpredictable Siegfried being as infuriating as ever to deal with. Not to mention the ongoing distraction of the wonderful Mrs Pumphrey and her undying devotion to the pampered Tricki-Woo.
“Pivotal role”
Such is the popularity of the show, which I had the good fortune to stumble across being filmed in Grassington ahead of this series, that series seven and eight have already been commissioned, which will take the modern version past the number of series in the original, if not the number of episodes just yet. Grassington, even outside of filming periods, has benefitted enormously from the reboot, in much the same way as Askrigg, home of the original Skeldale, did in the 1970s and ‘80s.
As well as appealing to new fans, it’s great that these new episodes still feature storylines and characters from the originals, while also moving on with its own narrative, especially in the decision to give housekeeper Mrs Hall a much more pivotal role than in the opening series of the original. It’s not easy keeping viewers young and old happy, but one thing that will always remain central to ACGAS is the stunning scenery which, in my humble opinion, simply cannot be beaten by anywhere else in this, or perhaps any other, country.
All Creatures Great and Small: Series 6 is released on DVD by Acorn
Karl’s love of writing was piqued at the age of eight, when he won a Blue Peter badge in an essay-writing competition. The location of said badge might be a mystery now, but the memory never fades. Hours spent writing about sport as a teenager, in pre-internet years when you had to make your entertainment, honed his skills, and Karl has worked in TV and radio listings at PA Media for 28 years, and the age of hybrid working means 50% of that can be at home listening to Classic FM and thinking about his next visit to his beloved Yorkshire Dales.
@KarlHornsey, hornskar
All Creatures Great & Small – Series 6 FAQ
What is included with Series 6 on DVD?
Six new episodes set after the Second World War, plus the Series 5 Christmas Special All God’s Creatures as a bonus.
When is Series 6 released on DVD and digital?
1 December 2025 in the UK.
Who releases the DVD and box set?
Acorn Media International.
Is there a Series 1 – 6 box set?
Yes – a 12-disc box set collecting Series 1 to 6 is available from 1 December 2025.
What are the running times and certificates?
Series 6 runs approx. 315 minutes across 2 discs and is rated PG. The Series 1 – 6 box set runs approx. 1,845 minutes and is rated 12.
Where does Series 6 pick up the story?
It begins after VE Day as Skeldale House readjusts to peacetime life in Darrowby.
Which main characters return?
James Herriot, Helen, Siegfried and Tristan are back, with Mrs Hall playing a pivotal role at Skeldale House.
Who plays the leads?
Nicholas Ralph as James, Rachel Shenton as Helen, Samuel West as Siegfried and Callum Woodhouse as Tristan.
Is the Christmas Special included?
Yes – the Series 5 Christmas Special All God’s Creatures is included with the Series 6 DVD.
Is the show family friendly?
Generally yes – Series 6 is rated PG and features gentle drama, animal care and period themes.
What are the key themes in Series 6?
Post-war change, community, family life and the day-to-day challenges of veterinary work in the Yorkshire Dales.
Where is the series set and filmed?
It is set in the Yorkshire Dales around the fictional Darrowby and filmed on location in the Dales, including Grassington.
What books is the series based on?
James Herriot’s semi-autobiographical veterinary stories.
Has the series been renewed?
Yes – Series 7 and 8 have been commissioned.
