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All Creatures Great and Small is making its comeback to Channel 5 with a delightfully chaotic festive special, hot on the heels of an emotionally charged sixth series finale.

The Christmas special broadcasts on Christmas Eve at 9pm, and the cast have shared insights about filming the most recent series.

During an exclusive chat with Reach and other media outlets, Callum Woodhouse, who portrays Tristan Farnon, discussed bringing Tristan's fresh romantic interest, Charlotte Beauvoir (portrayed by Gaia Wise), into the Skeldale household.

The festive episode, which will feature Samuel West's actual children, sees Tristan and Charlotte venture to the Christmas Tree Farm where Charlotte discovers Tristan's concerns as the duo share heartfelt moments and confess their genuine emotions.

Gaia Wise, daughter of acclaimed actress Emma Thompson, became part of the All Creatures ensemble during the sixth series and has quickly become a cherished cast member.

Reflecting on their collaboration, Woodhouse remarked: "It's been wonderful, we have a really great on screen chemistry. I think she slotted into the family immediately and amazingly. I was talking about when Rachel [Shenton] came back for that lovely week of filming [after giving birth to her first child], we all went out for a big family dinner while Rach was back and Gaia came along and Patricia [Hodge] as well, so it was like a slightly extended family dinner and it was glorious."

The Tristan star also touched upon his co-star Samuel West's previous collaboration with the newcomers' family, including Love Actually star Thompson. He revealed: "Sam West has worked with Emma before so they had their common ground there. [Gaia] has been an amazing addition, I think the fans have really seemed to get on board with her as well."

Mrs Hall star Anna Madeley, who joined the interview, described it as "lovely" to witness Tristan finally discovering someone with whom he can be genuinely himself and confide his concerns. She remarked: "It's a lovely character to see Tris have that friendship and romance with. That's exactly what he needs in that moment in time. He's a man now and he needs, it's not just a maternal figure, he needs a partner and needs that kind of care and fun in his life. It has all been really beautiful."

During the filming of Sense and Sensibility in 1995, Emma Thompson began a romance with co-star Greg Wise, whom she credited with rescuing her from profound depression after her split from first husband Kenneth Branagh. Their daughter Gaia was born via IVF when Thompson was 39.

Regarding Gaia's likeness to Emma, Callum acknowledged there were instances when he could distinctly spot Gaia's mother in her, explaining: "There weirdly is occasional flashes where you're like 'Oh gosh that's Emma'. Sam experienced it a lot, he was telling me there was scene he was doing where they were walking and talking and he was saying it was like he suddenly felt transported back 30 years ago to being on set with Emma.

"There was a Deja Vu sort of moment. There were certainly moments where there was a flash where it was like 'That is very much Emma Thompson'."

West and Thompson memorably appeared together in Howards End, with West taking on Leonard Bast alongside Thompson's Academy Award-winning portrayal of Margaret Schlegel.

The duo also featured together in Carrington, where West embodied Gerald Brenan whilst Thompson played Dora Carrington.

The All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special airs on Channel 5 on Christmas Eve at 9pm