I’m a little teapot short and stout

[underthewingsofthblackeagle]

Anna Madeley Answers Fans' Mrs. Hall Questions

All Creatures Great and Small's Anna Madeley covers everything Mrs. Hall, from romance to backstory, as she answers fan questions!

[teaandbiscuits60]

Since we do not know how long Siegfried's other relationship may last in ACGAS S7, I continue to think about possible interesting characters that Audrey might encounter in the meantime - and about the actors who might play opposite Anna in various short storylines.

Dean Lennox Kelly is such an actor.

I've seen Mr. Kelly in a few different pieces in the last few years. It occurred to me recently that he is eligible to be another of my fantasy picks for a guest actor spot in ACGAS S7. I've noticed that Kelly plays comedy very well; so he & Anna in a brief humorous story might be quite fun.

I also realized that both Anna & Dean were in the 2010 tv movie The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister. I don't recall them sharing a scene(s) but would need to rewatch to verify.

[teaandbiscuits60]

Here I am again thinking about a nice friendly chap that Audrey Hall might hang out with while Mr. F is occupied elsewhere.

How about a guest stint by actor Julian Ovenden?

Since we know Anna has chemistry with everyone and Mr. Ovenden seems to have this same quality; I bet scenes with these two would likely be terrific. I really liked J.O. when he appeared on Downton Abbey and have watched him in several other things since then.

[teaandbiscuits60]

Just read online that Mr. Ovenden is in the upcoming musical High Society that begins on May 19th. The fabulous Helen George from Call the Midwife also stars along with him. Would love to see them both on stage. Anyway, my fanciful & farcical wish to see J.O. make a brief cameo on ACGAS has been shot down by real life happenings - hahaha. Still think he & Anna would be great scene partners.

[teaandbiscuits60]

I am still thinking about a nice friendly chap that Audrey Hall might hang out with while Mr. F is occupied elsewhere.

How about a guest stint by actor Julian Ovenden?

Since we know Anna has chemistry with everyone and Mr. Ovenden seems to have this same quality; I bet scenes with these two would likely be terrific. I really liked J.O. when he appeared on Downton Abbey and have watched him in several other things since then.

[teaandbiscuits60]

Here is another wishlist type ACGAS guest appearance thought: actor Chris Reilly

I've been impressed with Chris' acting chops in Call the Midwife & The Last Post. I saw online that he's also been a recurring character in Slow Horses.

I think he and Anna might have great acting chemistry on screen in some kind of short story arc in S7. The actor is Scottish; so maybe he could be an old friend of James' - or a relative - who visits Darrowby and takes a shine to Audrey - just for 1 or 2 episodes of course.

[teaandbiscuits60]

Okay, my latest crazy guest appearance wish for ACGAS S7 - to play opposite the lovely Anna Madeley - is actor Elliot Cowan.

I mean if Siegfried is going to hang around an 'Audrey' clone, then why can't we have a 'Siegfried' look-alike for Audrey ??? 😉😁🤨

I know Anna & Elliot have performed together in at least 2 productions - on stage and in a short film.

[teaandbiscuits60]

I think that I've decided that Audrey's new friend in S7 should be a new Vicar - who Aud helps get settled in. This might be a perfect set-up to give her someone to whom she can confide about her past and her feelings. It would also be great if this story involved something like Audrey becoming the choir director at church or we discover that she plays the organ.

My second choice for Aud's new companion is a new Doctor in the village. Perhaps he is also divorced and this scenario would also provide a new confidant for her to share her concerns and feelings.

[teaandbiscuits60]

Okay, my latest crazy guest appearance wish for ACGAS S7 - to play opposite the lovely Anna Madeley - is actor Elliot Cowan.

I mean if Siegfried is going to hang around an 'Audrey' clone, then why can't we have a 'Siegfried' look-alike for Audrey ??? 😉😁🤨

I know Anna & Elliot have performed together in at least 2 productions - on stage and in a short film.

[teaandbiscuits60]

Another ACGAS guest actor dream wish for a possible S7 Audrey Hall storyline:

J.J. Feild costarred with Anna in the 2006 British TV period drama "The Secret Life of Mrs Beeton". These two had good chemistry in the film. Maybe he could play a new arrival in Darrowby whom Audrey befriends - could be a fun short plot for her - set outside Skeldale.

[powderedpastries]

Godspeed my fellow Americans as you watch the Christmas Special tonight.

[teaandbiscuits60]

Have seen quite a few of these type posts from US viewers in FB groups in reaction to watching the S6CS

[teaandbiscuits60]

I really like what Anna says in this article about her character Mrs Hall. I really want S7 to show Audrey seeking out her own happiness and finding adventure. Audrey deserves interests outside of Skeldale and independent of the people that she has cared for, helped, and sacrificed for over the years.

I'd love to see her open and operate her own business or pursue an activity that brings her an additional sense of fulfillment and joy. It would be nice if some of the S7 writing showed more of the women characters in stories separate and apart from their connections to the male vets.

Anna goes on to say that Mrs Hall is a fully realized character - one "who has a proper story behind her and a history that informs who she is." It would definitely be interesting to learn more about Audrey's history and story.

*press article snippets courtesy of TV Insider publication - which states that this interview took place sometime after S6E4*

[teaandbiscuits60]

This is my final post about the weird CS episode in S6. I have the need to ask a few more questions and then I'll shut-up.

(A) Photos 1&2: so Dot is the faux Audrey with almost same dress, hair, profile as Aud. The real Audrey served up the fake 'mudrey' on a platter to Siegfried just like with the murkey substitute for the real thing. Will we ever get a fuller explanation / better understanding of why Audrey dished up another woman for him ???

(B) Photos 3&4: we've known for a while that Siegfried can be a turkey (affectionate) and in this episode, it seems the prize gobbler is the symbol for him. Audrey wins the prize (Siegfried?) with her determination, patience, practice, and skill; but her turkey ends up in a different role. Also, we know S is Jimmy's playmate & pet - just as the poultry version of S (Rudolph) ends up being. Is this foreshadowing that Jimmy may once again be instrumental in providing some insights & truths for S in the future ???

(C) Photos 5&6: after Dot arrives at the pub, none of the other characters even acknowledge her. Maggie squeezes by S&D as the pair are gazing at one another in an almost embrace. Maggie doesn't give them a glance or a second thought it seems. Not sure Maggie would know or remember Dot from 8 years before; yet it doesn't appear to phase her that Mr F is with some strange woman. When S&D enter the darts area together, Audrey is the only person to greet Dot while Tris & Charlotte & James all behave similarly to Maggie - totally ignoring that S rejoins them with a woman in tow. It's all a bit odd. Were these non-interactions and non-notices of Dot scripted as intentional non-actions for a reason ???

(D) Photos 7: Even in this last group photo of the gang at the pub toasting the end of war and a brighter future, Dot is almost out of frame way to the right in the camera shot and at the back of the crowd where Maggie, James, Jimmy, Audrey, Tris and Charlotte don't see her and like Dot is not one of them. Again, was this scene blocked out this way on purpose ???

As always, comments and thoughts from other viewers are most welcome.

[teaandbiscuits60]

Even after four viewings of the S6 CS, I still can't quite determine what these few seconds in the kitchen scene might be conveying to the audience.

Audrey has that kooky grin and is stroking the rabbit somewhat oddly. Was it just an attempt at humor and nothing more - or what ??

Anyone interested in jumping in to share their thoughts ?? - because this moment has stuck in my head for some bizarre reason. 😆🐰🙃

[teaandbiscuits60]

This is my third and final (I think) fantasy guest star wish.

IF - in S7- we have to endure Siegfried with the gal from S1 who surprised him, then I really need to have Audrey in a S7 story that involves a very charming, dashing & handsome character.

I think actor Toby Stephens and Anna would be terrific scene partners. And it would be fun because Sam & Toby have worked together. Plus I know Toby does a good Yorkshire accent 😉😆

[graceisinthelibrary]

It's been almost a month since the CS...

and it's still unclear to me why this one episode had to become such a train wreck. Bear with my rambling, please!

Teasing a family Christmas and then don't show any family scenes is just weird.

Killing of a beloved animal for Christmas is just WRONG. As someone who had to live through putting down their dog at Christmas, this was just unnecessarily cruel. Dogs in tea towels can't make up for that.

The turkey/murkey thing could have been funny, if Audrey's victory shot at darts wouldn't have been spoiled by Siegfried pushing her physically and mentally away.

Trying to surprise the audience with a character one half doesn't remember and the other half is already aware about because the name of the actress had been on the cast list for months is just dumb.

Putting a woman in a position where she's playing cupid for her supposedly best friends only to make her realise she's in love with one of them, is kind of old and an overused trope - especially for an audience that has many female fans!

Making Dorothy the main character of the CS (while putting the real leading ladies on the backbuner) after not seeing her for 5 seasons is just wrong. We knew Rachel was on maternity leave, but her role in the CS was extremely unsatisfying.

Runing darts as Audrey's hobby and the flirting aspect she's had with Siegfried over it, was an incredibly tasteless creative choice, made by the writers. Just unforgivable.

Bringing in a character who is meant to be a friend to Audrey and not showing the nature of said friendship is crappy writing and.

Dorothy just looks like a shit friend, even more so than in S1 when she was contantly ranting about Edward and patronised Audrey like a dreary older sister.

Making the male character an insecure idiot who hides behind Plato allegories (and hides his phone call like a cheating husband), then goes after the friend of the woman he's obviously in love with, isn't exactly an attractive trait.

To come to a conclusion... whatever the producers and writers were thinking, it didn't have the anticipated result, lol

[teaandbiscuits60]

Explain Hilda & Siegfried metaphor: Hilda's passing

Indicates death of old cantankerous stubborn goat qualities in S's personality

Symbolized death of long relationship between creature (Sieg) & keeper (Aud)

Illustrated Siegfried's recognition of his age and mortality

Prompted Mrs Stokes' song - lyrics about look for the girl he will marry (Dot)

ALL or more than one of the above used as devices for the S&D surprise ending

Other possibilities

Voting ended onJan 22

Comments / Feedback / Ideas / Speculation are all very welcome 🙂

[fortytworedvines]

PBS' poll on whether Audrey and Siegfried should get together...

[ttd23-deactivated20260513]

Nothing to see here.. Just a housekeeper and her bestie boss having a midnight convo in their pajamas looking at eachother with heart eyes for the 1,000th time. Definitely something Dorothy should be a part of 🤨