Channel 5’s acclaimed drama All Creatures Great and Small remains a standout hit, with fans eagerly awaiting the upcoming new episodes. In an exciting update, the network has officially greenlit both series seven and eight, along with two festive specials. Each season continues to explore the heartfelt narratives inspired by James Herriot’s classic novels.
Series seven is set to pick up after the 2025 Christmas special, a poignant chapter marked by significant events including the return of Helen, portrayed by Rachel Shenton. Set in 1945, the story captures Darrowby’s first Christmas following World War II’s end, vividly depicting period details like scarce Christmas trees and turkey. The emotional undercurrent includes Maggie (Mollie Winnard) mourning her husband, who did not return from the war.
Themes of post-war adjustment run deep, with Tristan Farnon (Callum Woodhouse) opening up to Charlotte Beauvoir (Gaia Wise) about his PTSD from fighting the Japanese. Despite these challenges, the spirit of Yorkshire remains resilient and joyful, according to Express reports.
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Production for the new episodes began in February, with Channel 5 sharing a glimpse behind the scenes via Instagram, featuring a clapperboard announcing the return to Darrowby. The network expressed enthusiasm to welcome viewers back, to which fans responded with excitement and praise for the heartfelt drama.
In April, Samuel West (Siegfried Farnon) offered fans a look behind the curtain, posting photos that highlight the stunning Yorkshire Dales scenery where filming takes place. One particularly striking image shows Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot gazing over the expansive landscape near Burnside. West captioned the photo expressing his gratitude for the breathtaking filming location.
Actor Tony Pitts also shared footage of himself as Richard Alderson amid a rural backdrop, simply captioned “Work,” giving fans a glimpse of the ongoing production.
According to BBC News, shooting has been spotted across West and North Yorkshire, with Grassington serving as the key location for the fictional town of Darrowby.
Given the show’s history of annual autumn premieres since 2020 — mostly in September and one in October — series seven is anticipated to follow suit later this year.
Channel 5 remains tight-lipped about specific plot details, but Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor at 5, promised that there are “many new stories still to tell” and “more unforgettable adventures ahead.” He praised the show as “a jewel in 5’s drama crown,” lauding its warmth, humor, and heartfelt storytelling set against the beautiful Yorkshire backdrop.
Rachel Shenton, who plays Helen Herriot, shared her hopes for season seven in an interview with Masterpiece. She expressed a wish for her character to experience more “fun” as the war’s shadow begins to lift: “It’s been so serious for everyone… I’d love for Helen and James to have fun again.” She reflected on the lasting impact of the war on characters like Tristan and Maggie, noting that while the men have returned home, life is not quite the same.
All six previous series of All Creatures Great and Small are currently available to stream on Channel5.com, offering new viewers a chance to catch up before series seven arrives.