Yorkshire, UK — The rugged hills of the Yorkshire Dales fell silent on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, as the second series of Channel 5’s Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales concluded, leaving fans devastated and clamoring for more. The show, which follows 21-year-old Reuben Owen’s journey to build his heavy plant machinery business, ended its six-episode run with an emotional finale that saw the young entrepreneur reflect on his future, sparking speculation about his next move. With heartfelt farewells, a “life-threatening” lambing challenge, and hints of a potential exit from Ravenseat Farm, viewers are reeling and pleading for a third series. What led to this bittersweet goodbye, and what lies ahead for Yorkshire’s digger-obsessed star?

A Rising Star from Ravenseat

Reuben Owen, the eldest son of Our Yorkshire Farm’s Amanda and Clive Owen, first captured audiences’ hearts alongside his eight siblings on Channel 4’s hit series, which chronicled life at Ravenseat Farm until its end in 2022. At just 21, Reuben has carved his own path with Life in the Dales, a spin-off that showcases his fledgling heavy plant machinery business in the remote Yorkshire Dales. Joined by his girlfriend Jessica Ellwood, friend Tommy McWhirter, and family members like brothers Miles and Sidney, Reuben’s grit, charm, and love for “digging big holes” have made him a fan favorite. The second series, which premiered on May 20, 2025, followed his third year in business, blending hard work with adrenaline-fueled adventures like skydives and trials biking.

The finale, aired on July 8, 2025, was a rollercoaster of emotions. Fans watched Reuben tackle a perilous lambing season alongside Jessica, navigate a vintage tractor breakdown en route to Whitby, and share candid thoughts about leaving the family farm. His closing words—“That’s the dream next. Get myself a yard and a house. We’ll have to see what the future holds”—left viewers gutted, with many taking to X to express their sorrow and demand a new season.

The Finale: Triumphs and Tensions

The final episode was packed with drama and heart. Reuben, now 21, faced a critical challenge during lambing season on Jessica’s family farm. A newborn lamb, born just an hour earlier, was struggling to feed, its mother rejecting it. Jessica noted with concern, “This lamb hasn’t sucked. He’s got cold and just laid and shivered.” Reuben stressed the urgency: “This will be the most important meal of his life. He needs to have it quickly as the colostrum is full of all the antibodies from the ewe.” Their successful effort to save the lamb highlighted Reuben’s growing skill and his bond with Jessica, who fans have dubbed “Wonder Woman” for her prowess with machinery.

Elsewhere, Reuben and his brothers Miles and Sidney took a 60-year-old tractor on a nostalgic journey to Whitby, only for the engine to overheat, billowing steam “like the Flying Scotsman.” In a moment of resignation, Reuben admitted, “I think that’s the end of my run. So close, so close!” The mishap, laced with humor from his mates, underscored the unpredictable nature of rural life.

The episode’s emotional peak came when Reuben reflected on his journey: “It’s been a hectic time. Three years in business, I’m 21 now. We’ve got plenty of diggers, plenty of work on, a couple of team and staff with me, got Jess, who’s an absolute star.” His mention of finding “a yard and a house” hinted at a potential move away from Ravenseat, stirring fears among fans that his TV days might be numbered.

Fan Frenzy and Pleas for More

The series’ end sparked an outpouring of emotion on X, where fans praised Reuben’s authenticity and begged Channel 5 for a third season. One viewer posted, “Reuben your show should be on every day, it’s the only thing on the telly worth watching. Hope there’s another one soon mate.” Another wrote, “Love the show, hopefully a new one soon. Jess is like Wonder Woman can turn her hand to anything!” A third echoed, “Reuben we need another series and soon. One of the best shows on TV.” The sentiment was clear: Life in the Dales has become a beacon of wholesome, hardworking entertainment.

Fans also gushed over Reuben’s relationship with Jessica Ellwood, a 21-year-old from a neighboring farming family who’s become a series standout. A recent Instagram post from Reuben, captioned “She really is incredible on any machinery @jessica.ellwood1 #lovehersomuch #cuteonadigger,” sent followers into a frenzy, with comments like “Hope Channel 5 commissions your next series! You and Jess are lovely and your team is brilliant!”

Challenges and Setbacks

The second series wasn’t without its struggles. In the premiere, Reuben faced a major setback while excavating a stone barn in Cumbria for homeowner John. What began as a routine job to clear soil and combat dampness turned critical when Reuben and his father, Clive, discovered the barn’s crumbling foundations. Clive warned, “As we stand, I don’t think you’re able to continue with the original plan.” Fearing a collapse, they backfilled the soil, and John opted for a stone patio instead of new bedrooms, a costly pivot for Reuben’s young business. “Any damage comes back to me,” Reuben confessed, highlighting the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

Other episodes saw Reuben tackle ambitious projects, like crushing 10,000 tonnes of stone at a farmer’s quarry and restoring a fishing pond in County Durham. His purchase of a 22-tonne digger drew concern from his mother, Amanda, who worried about its size, but Reuben’s passion for heavy machinery shone through. His candid admission to The Telegraph— “I don’t want a career on television, I want to be known as the guy who digs big holes”—underscored his focus on his business over fame.

A Family Affair and Past Goodbyes

Life in the Dales has been a family affair, with Amanda and Clive making appearances despite their 2022 separation, which ended Our Yorkshire Farm. Amanda dropped off treats during the Cumbria job, while Clive offered expertise on the crumbling barn. Reuben’s brothers, Sidney and Miles, joined for lighter moments, like fixing a vintage tractor for a local show.

The series also navigated personal shifts. Reuben’s friend Tommy McWhirter considered leaving after passing his HGV exams, a potential blow to the business. “If Tommy passes his test, we may never see him again,” Reuben worried, though Tommy promised to stick around part-time. Reuben’s split with ex-girlfriend Sarah Dow, who appeared in the first series, was addressed on ITV’s Lorraine: “We’re no longer together but we’re still very good friends.” Sarah’s reduced role paved the way for Jessica’s prominence, delighting fans.

What’s Next for Reuben?

Reuben’s hint at leaving Ravenseat to find a yard and home with Jessica has sparked speculation. In a Telegraph interview, he doubled down on his ambitions: “My current ambition is to buy a 50-ton excavator. That really would be the realisation of a dream.” His desire to prioritize his business over TV has fans worried, with one X post lamenting, “Missing your show already Reuben, can’t wait for the next series.”

Channel 5 has not confirmed a third season, but behind-the-scenes photos from a Whitby fish and chip shop, showing Reuben and Jessica filming, fueled excitement earlier this year. Fans commented, “Just love Reuben, can’t wait for his new show,” though no release date was announced. Meanwhile, Reuben appears in Channel 4’s Our Farm Next Door, renovating a farmhouse called Anty John’s with his family, suggesting he’s not entirely done with TV.

A Legacy of Grit and Charm

Reuben’s appeal lies in his unpolished authenticity—no “lived experience” buzzwords, just a young man passionate about diggers and rural life. His relationship with Jessica, who matches his skill with machinery, has added a heartwarming layer to the series. As he told The Telegraph, “The proudest moment of my life was the day I got my name on my own digger.”

The finale’s bittersweet tone has left fans gutted but hopeful. “Reuben’s show is brilliant. Hopefully there will be another series soon,” one viewer posted on X. Whether he’s digging holes, saving lambs, or planning a future with Jessica, Reuben Owen remains a Yorkshire icon whose story is far from over.

For updates on Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales and the Owen family, visit www.channel5.com or stream on My5.