All Creatures Great & Small has long been known as the ultimate feel-good series, and the arrival of Series 6 on DVD and digital on 1 December 2025 proves once again why it remains one of Britain’s most cherished dramas. Released alongside the expansive Complete Series 1–6 Box Set from Acorn Media International, the new season is a warm, comforting return to the Yorkshire Dales just in time for the holidays.
Critics have praised the show since its reboot began, calling it everything from “the comforting TV we all need” to “an underrated gem of the British canon.” Watching this new collection, it becomes immediately clear why audiences around the world have embraced it. Even coming into the series without a strong familiarity with most of the cast, I found myself pulled in almost immediately. The only actor I knew beforehand was Matthew Lewis, who appeared earlier in the series as Hugh Hulton. Yet the rest of the ensemble quickly won me over, largely because of how naturally they fit into this world of small-town veterinary care, community bonds, and gentle humor.
Series 6 picks up at the end of the Second World War, a time when the air is filled with relief yet uncertainty. With victory in Europe finally declared, life at Skeldale House is busier and more chaotic than ever. James Herriot works tirelessly to balance the demands of veterinary work with the realities of raising a young family, and Rachel Shenton’s portrayal of Helen continues to bring warmth and emotional grounding to every scene she is in. Siegfried, played with equal parts stubbornness and charm by Samuel West, is as unpredictable as ever. His clashes with James remain one of the show’s most delightful dynamics.
Tristan’s return adds emotional depth to the new season. He comes home older and visibly changed by his time away, and watching him try to settle back into life in Darrowby gives the series some of its most sincere and thoughtful moments. Meanwhile, Mrs Hall continues to serve as the steady heart of the household. Her efforts to rebuild harmony within Skeldale House create a strong emotional thread that ties the season together.
Part of the joy of this release is that it comes packaged with the full journey from the beginning. The Complete Series 1–6 Box Set offers nearly two thousand minutes of storytelling that follows James Herriot from his arrival in 1937 through the many personal and professional milestones that shape his life. Early episodes introduce a nervous young vet adjusting to the quirks of rural Yorkshire. Later seasons tackle everything from budding romance to wartime separation, new staff joining the practice, and the arrival of James and Helen’s baby. Watching the story unfold across six seasons gives the show a wonderful sense of progression, and the seamless blend of humor, heart, and period detail makes the experience feel both nostalgic and timeless.
The scenery is often as memorable as the characters. The Yorkshire Dales have never looked more serene or inviting, and the cinematography highlights the landscapes in a way that almost becomes a character of its own. Reviewers have called the series a “sublime period drama,” and that remains true here. Every episode feels like stepping into a quieter, simpler world where the stakes are personal rather than global, yet the emotions are always sincere.
This release also includes the Christmas Special titled All God’s Creatures, which brings a festive warmth to the season and complements the rest of the collection perfectly. It is the kind of episode that pairs comfortably with a blanket, a cup of tea, and a quiet night in.
Watching Series 6 and revisiting the earlier years made me understand quickly why the show has become one of Channel 5’s biggest hits. It is gentle but never bland, emotional but never melodramatic, and consistently anchored by characters who feel real, flawed, and deeply likable. Even if you are unfamiliar with most of the cast, as I was, it is incredibly easy to settle into the rhythm of this world and care about the people who inhabit it.
Both the new season and the complete box set offer a comforting escape from everyday life, filled with beautiful landscapes, kind storytelling, and performances that feel honest and full of heart. For anyone searching for a warm and uplifting series to settle into this winter, this release is a perfect choice.
Jessie Hobson