‘All Creatures Great and Small’: Anna Madeley Breaks Down Finale, Audrey & Siegfried’s Romantic Future
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains spoilers for the All Creatures Great and Small Season 5 finale, “All God’s Creatures.”]
She’s the down-to-earth den mother who holds Skeldale House together. But in the final episode of All Creatures Great and Small’s fifth season on PBS, Anna Madeley’s Audrey Hall was close to coming apart. Two weeks before Christmas 1941, with World War II raging in Europe and the Pacific, she learned that the British Royal Navy ship her son was serving on, the HMS Repulse, had been sunk by Japan. News reports said that about half the crew had perished, but it took an agonizing two weeks for Audrey to get word that Edward (Conor Deane) had survived.
From the time the Yorkshire housekeeper learned of the disaster until she received that joyous phone call from her son on Christmas morning, Madeley’s marvelously moving performance was the highlight of a holiday episode that wasn’t like any of the Masterpiece series’ previous ones. Although there were lighter moments — Tristan (Callum Woodhouse) trying to recruit carrier pigeons for the war effort, James and Helen (Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton) celebrating the first birthday of their son — no one was concerned with who would don the green Santa suit for the Christmas party. Instead of the usual merriment, there were lowered voices and attempts to keep Audrey hopeful as they saw the physical and emotional toll the wait was having on her.
Madeley praises the writing (Jamie Crichton scripted the episode) with helping her to conjure up Mrs. Hall’s restless state. “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.”
Playground Entertainment and Masterpiece
The only human resident of Skeldale House who isn’t related to someone by blood or marriage, Audrey found solace caring for a little fox that had wandered into the animal shed. (It gave her companionship, and she didn’t have to make polite conversation when she didn’t feel like talking.) Then the creature showed up wounded, and Siegfried (Samuel West) wanted to put him to sleep. Mrs. Hall couldn’t stand the thought, and she couldn’t contain her tears. “He’s one of God’s creatures,” she cried. “Why should you get to decide if he lives or dies?” In the end, the senior vet attempted to save the animal, whose condition improved but remained uncertain.
For Madeley, who recently concluded a run in the Lillian Hellman play The Little Foxes in London, working with an actual little fox was a memorable experience. “It was very gentle, but you felt very aware that if you accidentally let go of it, it would disappear so fast,” she says. “You could feel the instinct.”
Throughout the episode, viewers saw a different side to the woman who keeps the veterinary practice and household functioning. As Audrey tried to steady herself and stay calm, she kept her distance from the other Skeldale residents, even Helen, with whom she’s grown especially close. Madeley says she was struck by “the loneliness of the journey. Mrs. Hall always wants everyone at the table, she wants everyone to be together. Seeing her put through a moment in time where she can’t actually face people and take on board their needs was another layer in how deep it struck her.”
With the wait growing unbearable, Audrey sought answers when she visited Paddy (Elliot Franz), a crewmate of Edward’s who was sent home after his hand was crushed. “I think a bit of her just reaches a point where she needs to know, yes or no, so she seeks that from Paddy,” Madeley explains. “It’s a really hard thing to ask of this young man, but he is the person who is closest to the experience Edward would have had.” Like her son, Paddy worked in the engine room, located at the bottom of the ship, and Audrey was devastated when he told her that if Edward had been there when the Repulse sank, he wouldn’t have made it. She left his home in tears.
On the morning of December 25, however, Audrey cried for joy when Edward was able to phone to let her know that he was in a hospital in Singapore, wounded but alive. And later, as the gang assembled round the table for Christmas dinner, she thanked them for helping her endure the past couple of weeks, confessing, “I don’t think I’d have got through them without your kindness and your understanding.”
Playground Entertainment and Masterpiece
It was a satisfying conclusion to a season that saw James and Tristan return to the fold, even though the war is far from over. As cast and crew gear up for their sixth go-round, which starts shooting soon, Madeley says she doesn’t know what’s in store for Audrey or Edward, or if Audrey and Siegfried’s much-discussed relationship will become romantic. And she’s in no hurry to find out about the latter.
“We get asked this quite a lot,” she adds with a laugh. “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.”
All Creatures Great and Small, Seasons 1-5, PBS app (with Passport) and PBS Masterpiece Prime Video channel
Conversation40 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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R
Best show on tv. Anna is as great as Maggie Smth and Judi Dench. Everyone on this series deservs the highest awards! Nothing on tv is this good!
54
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M
I absolutely love this show! Great show, great acting, great storylines, beautiful scenery! Whether the episode makes me laugh or cry, I always end up with a smile because of the greatness of this show. Best show on television.
50
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O
I cried all through this episode. Anna is fabulous and this cast is a family
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C
I WAS NOT CRYING! I was merely chopping some onions. I was chopping onions when Mrs Hall first found out about the ship. I was chopping onions when she lost her temper over the fox. I was chopping a LOT of onions when Edward called. Onions, nothing more, I tell you!
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O
Phenomenal acting by ANNA and the ENTIRE cast‼️ACG&S is one of the greatest shows in television history‼️BRAVO!!!!🏆🙌🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️
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B
Everything you posted is so true !!
The writing, the cast and the locations are exceptional . Hope the show continues for a very long time.
41
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R
Husband and I love this show! Cannot wait for the next season!
37
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B
I'm all for bringing up the romance even though it's not in the books as Mrs Hall was an older woman with a very small mention. They are fully developed characters with no need to spend time introducing them to the series and they would be dynamite!
36
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P
I've always loved Mrs. Hall. She's very different than the stuff Mrs. Hall in the original ACGS years ago. But I like thr changes. She did beautifully in this episode. She managed to keep her place as an employee and not blood. I fully expected, and wanted, her to say something about them all being family to her, but she kept her place! Amazing. So it will be interesting to see how her and Seigfred evolve into a relationship if that's the plan. A lot of distance has to be brought together and I can really hardly see her changing enough to fit into his life but we shall see!
30
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R
Rarely do we see great acting like on All Creatures. Anna was magnificent! She better win an award for this superior acting turn! This series is lightning in a bottle...the men are so good, creating believable characters, Rachel and her father and sister are also good and of course the dogs! Even the village is a character. Would be great if they could do 10 episodes a year.
May this series continue for at least ten years!
31 2
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C
I love it when tough, taciturn Richard melts as soon as he gets his hands on his grandson.
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G
I enjoy this show immensely. This episode had me in smiles then tears and back again to smiles. I hope to enjoy this show for years to come. So glad that Tristan came back and that Carmichael is not gone for good. These actors are so good and mesh different personalities in a such a fun way. Keep up the good work!
25
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R
This show is so highly relatable to my own life taking care of feral animals. It's full of charm and heart as well as romance and tragedy that I will watch it as long as it's on tv.
9
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O
The best show on television. Mrs. Hall is wonderful.
8
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O
Just a fabulous series! I love all the actors, they are masters at their craft!
7
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G
It was a heart warming episode and the best thing I’ve seen on TV in a long while.
7
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G
Yes.
6
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G
I’m still in tears thinking of Audrey’s performance. Please give her an acting award. And awards all round. This show is a magnificent achievement. All the actors deserve awards, as well as for writing, script, setting, costume, sumptious scenery. When the musical theme starts the show each week, all is well with the world. Bravo!!!!
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G
I. think that Audrey and Siegfried have always had romantic feelings for each other. Love All Creatures Great and Small. Excellent writing, directing and acting.
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D
I absolutely adore All Creatures Great and Small! The characters are well-written and memorable. This show is proof positive that you don't need a gunfight or a car chase to have great entertainment. My only complaint is that there are only eight episodes per season.
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G
An excellent episode!! I totally understood Mrs. 'All's feelings and reactions. The actress did a great job trying to marshal her emotions and behave 'normally' for two whole weeks. (I can't even imagine what that would have felt like!)
As for Seigfried and Audrey... I've never been a 'shipper' in ANY series I've watched, but it's been obvious for a few years now that these two have such a close relationship and such affection and regard for each other that getting them together seems almost inevitable. NO, nothing like this is in the ACG&S books, but then, this series deviated from the books a long time ago. I would be pleased if the series--when it finally ends-- allows Siegfried and Audrey to realize how they feel and do something about it.
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B
Wonderful, wonderful,wonderful!!
Being waiting for a long time for an inspirational, hopeful, & all toguether beautiful, & real, programing
Please, keep it going for as long as gou can
Thank you!
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R
We love All Creatures Great and Small and have watched it from the very beginning. These actors are top notch at what they do. It's wholesome and heart-warming. Our emotions go from laughter to sadness, happiness, surprises and many more. I hope they continue with more seasons.
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R
What a wonderful show All Creatures Great and Small is!
Every character has a great meaning. The acting is superb. What a magnificent team! Please do continue for many more years. I want to know what that adorable little boy is going to be when he grows up, a farmer or a vet
40
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P
This show is so much more interesting than the American show of a similar title in my opinion.
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R
I am watching this from the start . I saw all the old ones as they came out , and I thoroughly love the new series . I wish Siegfried was nicer to Tris . More openly affectionate . I always want to give Tris a hug and tell him how important he is . I think Siegfried does in a round.about way . But he always holds something back - shame . But then he can be extremely sensitive and caring to animals ,
Lovely to see Helen and James get married eventually. Looking forward to seeing baby Jimmy . 🥰🥰
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P
Couldn't ask for a better program. Compliments the first series nicely but this current series is an outstanding show by itsel.
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P
I saw the original and I have all the books and the original brought all those characters to life. Excellent show.
However, I was dubious about this series but I shouldn't have been. I watch it religiously and although its not the books, it doesnt matter. It holds the same passion, the same characters and is wonderfully entertaining. Fabulous series that compliments the original.
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C
Now Edward needs to get out of Singapore. It falls to the Japanese on Feb 12 1942.
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C
I have one question for the fans calling for romance between Siegfried and Mrs Hall: Don't you ever get tired of being this dull and unimaginative? The dynamic between all the characters is perfect as is. There's zero sexual or romantic tension, their relationship is one of deep affection and respect. Let it stay that way. Trying to conjure up some romantic awakening between them would be awkward and as I said, dull. It's been done. Done to death. The show is as close to perfection as anything I've ever watched, please don't mess it up with a pointless, tacked-on romance between two beloved characters. Maybe concentrate on finding the right woman for Tristan. That would be fun.
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R
I don't think a romantic relationship with Siegfried and Mrs Hall would follow the books. She was never as big a part as she is in this series, but I love that she is though.
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C
I love the show. So well written and the actors amazing. On the last Christmas episode what was served since the goose was missing? I couldn’t tell because the scene went too fast.
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B
Mrs. Hall was elated when she discovered that her son Edward had survived the sinking of the HMS Repulse on Dec 10, 1941. On a Dec 25, 1941 phone call, Mrs. Hall learned that her son was in a hospital in Singapore. Although there was gladness on the show, my heart sunk, because I knew that on Feb 14, 1942, the invading Japanese had massacred virtually all of the residents of the British Military Hospital in Singapore. Maybe this will be an issue if there is another season of the program
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G
Heavens, I hope that doesn't make it into the show!! Surely Edward would have been out of that hospital by then, anyway.
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G
We were disappointed when Sigfrieg's Christmas toast was changed. The show really needed "Merry Bloody Christmas!"
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G
I half-expected someone to say it at the table. 😆
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D
I also missed the "Merry Bloody Christmas," but it occurred to me that they would probably need to tone that down, considering that there is now an impressionable child around.
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G
Hanoi Jane desevers nothing after her part in Viet Nam and getting our solders killed!
2
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G
Ummm, I think you're responding to the wrong article. We're talking about a wonderful TV series... feel free to voice your opinion on this other topic elsewhere.
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C
You really are just a colossal idiot, aren't you?
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