All Creatures Great and Small is back on Channel 5 and will see the return of all the fan-favourites including Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot and Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon
The first episode, dubbed Gathering the Flock, showcases James and Tristan (portrayed by Callum Woodhouse) taking drastic measures after witnessing Siegfried’s wild and disorderly conduct, with some touching behind-the-scenes moments.
Anna Madeley reprises her role as Mrs Hall, alongside Rachel Shenton as James’s wife Helen. Tony Pitts and Imogen Clawson also make a comeback as Helen’s father and sister, Richard and Jenny.
The sixth series will also welcome back Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey and Mollie Winnard as Maggie.
Here’s everything you need to know about the guest stars for the first episode of the sixth series.
All Creatures Great and Small series 6 episode 1 cast
Archie Tredwell – Wayne Foskett
Wayne Foskett joins the cast for the opening episode. The 61 year old English actor is renowned for his roles in Merlin, Silent Witness and Midsomer Murders.
He’s also an avid artist and has showcased his works at the Jardiniere art exhibition.
Fans might also recognise him as Richard Stark from Game of Thrones or as Tom in Lightfields.
Jimmy Herriot – Thomas Riches
James’s son Jimmy is portrayed by Thomas Riches, but little is known about the young star at this point.
Susan – Lucy-Jo Hudson
Susan, an acquaintance of Siegfried’s, is played by Lucy-Jo Hudson, a 42 year old actress hailing from Leeds.
She’s the sister of rugby league player Ryan Hudson and was previously married to Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall, who portrays Tyrone Dobbs, until 2018.
The mum-of-two is recognised for her roles as Katy Harris in Coronation Street, Rosie Trevanion in Wild at Heart and Donna-Marie Quinn in Hollyoaks.
Rosie Herriot – Arlie and Autumn Doyle
Arlie and Autumn Doyle join the cast as James and Helen’s daughter Rosie, but little is known about these young twins.
Mary – Siena Marsden
Siena Marsden joins the cast as Mary, Edward’s daughter, although not much is known about this young actress yet.
Edward Hall – Conor Deane
Conor Deane returns as Mrs Hall’s son Edward, and he is also known for his roles as Fred Holdsworth in The Hardacres and Kyre Branson in Sherwood.
His other credits include Ridley, Happy Valley and What It Feels Like for a Girl.
All Creatures Great and Small airs on Channel 5 on September 25 at 9pm
Watch out Kim Tate! Emmerdale’s new ‘super bitch’, Casualty actress Jaye Griffiths is relishing her role as the new village baddie Celia
Emmerdale welcomes a new female farmer onto the scene played by actress Jaye Griffiths (The Bill, Holby, Doctors). (Image: ITV)
Emmerdale’s new ‘super bitch’ farmer Jaye Griffiths has praised the Yorkshire soap for casting a Black actor as a baddie and not a saviour.
Already a household name, after a 40-year career that’s seen her appear in everything from The Bill to Silent Witness, EastEnders and Casualty, Jaye says her new role as Celia is one of her best ever.
Jaye, 61, says of ITV casting her as a ‘bitch’: “It was a courageous thing to do. We (black actors) are often portrayed as the saviours, because the white saviour rolling in on a horse is such trope that it’s now the reverse – namely black people ride in to save the day.
“But Emmerdale has said ‘good and bad people, they don’t have a skin colour, there are just good and bad people’. I’m thrilled Emmerdale has done this.”
Actress Jaye Griffiths joins the cast of ITV soap Emmerdale(Image: PA)
And Celia is a delight to play.
“She is not a wallflower and in the opening scenes, she’s like a bulldog!” says Jaye. “Celia has so many secrets and that’s fantastic.
“She doesn’t need any friends, she doesn’t understand when people get upset and she never says sorry! She gets what she wants and this is, without a shadow of doubt, one of the best ever parts I’ve been given.
“Playing Celia is so freeing. She never worries about what people think. I love playing Celia.”
Aside from her part, Jaye says Emmerdale is a super-friendly place to work.
“Everyone wants the show to be good and they aren’t threatened by new people coming in,” she says. “It’s good to be kind to one another.” But Celia is far from kind.
On Monday she will turn up at Moira’s door asking to rent two of her fields. Despite needing the money, Moira refuses and the two women then enter into a fierce war of words – with Celia being very catty towards the Dingle favourite.
Then she falls out with Paddy Dingle (played by Dominic Brunt), who is attacked by one of her security dogs and hospitalised.
“As viewers will soon see, there will be consequences if you don’t give Celia what she wants,” Jaye teases. “Celia is upfront with people and it’s not horrible – more a case of ‘give me what I want’. The fact people take offence is astonishing to her!
One of my favourite words she uses is ‘cheerio’ as she says it in a slightly threatening way.
“You can’t trust what she says is true either!”
As for hospitalising Paddy? “Celia doesn’t take any responsibility,” says Jaye.
“Winding Paddy up is very enjoyable for her. She has a run in with Moira, but she will be having other power struggles, not just with the women, but men too. She’s an equal opportunities wind up person!”
Unlike her character, Jaye is likeable and she has a great sense of humour.
Jai Griffiths in Bugs alongside Paula Hunt as Alex, Jesse Birdsall as Beckett ,Steve Houghton as Ed. and Jan Harvey as Jan (Image: BBC)
With acting credits including Ros Henderson in the BBC’s Bugs, D.I Sally Johnson in The Bill and Elle Gardner in Casualty, she has plenty to boast about.
But she says: “When I was a child, pride was considered a sin. So, when I look back on my jobs, I don’t know if I am proud or not. I am certainly not ashamed.”
Bugs, Casualty and The Bill were her three favourite dramas.
“I’d go back on The Bill in a heartbeat if they ever brought it back,” she confides.
“My character, Sally, was a bit naughty but it was a joyous show to work on. I used to love getting out the warrant card and there were times I wished I could get it out when I was driving in real life!
Jaye Griffiths at the British Soap awards at Hackney Town Hall in 2025(Image: Getty Images)
“I also did a small film called Care. That was extraordinary too and I loved Bugs.”
Married to Paul Bezodis, they live in Hertfordshire with their two rescue dogs.
“Everyone needs someone who has your back and says ‘yes’ for you,” she says, referring to Paul. “I am lucky I have that.”
Immediately clicking with the Emmerdale cast, Jaye has bonded with Beth Cordingly, who plays Ruby Milligan, and Natalie J Robb, who plays her arch-rival, Moira. “Dominic, I also had a bit of a crush on when I did my audition,” she chuckles. “He was so generous and kind with his time and, there and then, I knew I wanted to work with him all the time! All the cast are lovely.’
And her secret to proving herself on Emmerdale is simple.
Jaye with her ‘crush’ Dominic Brunt who plays Paddy Dingle on the soap
Like most things, the best way is to turn up on time and do your job,” she says. She will definitely have one big fan when she makes her entrance in the Dales – her mum. ,Jaye chuckles: “OMG my mum was beside herself when she found out I’d got the part of Celia. She was so excited and told everyone
“You would think I had been put on the Apollo mission!”
And the rollercoaster Celia is about to take us on will certainly keep viewers on their toes. “She is such a strange, complex woman,” says Jaye. “There is more to come. It is so much fun. Celia wears farm clothes but there is not a scrap of mud on her. She is immaculate. She wears a cravat and there is a reason for that …”
Jaye in Casualty (Image: BBC)
Her advice to other Emmerdale folk is to beware of Celia and give her what she wants!
She says: “I know viewers will think she is a villain at the start, but there is also a lot more to her and she will calm down.
‘She will be manipulating people too. My advice to all the villagers is give Celia what she wants then they won’t have to watch out!”
*Emmerdale airs every weekday on ITV1 and STV1 on weekdays at 7.30pm.
