The rolling Yorkshire Dales have a pull that keeps viewers returning. Since 2020, the gentle veterinary drama All Creatures Great and Small has quietly become one of the most beloved period pieces on television. Now, with season 7 officially on its way, the question on everyone’s mind is when they can return to Darrowby. We’ve gathered the confirmed facts, the lingering unknowns, and everything else you need to know about the upcoming season.

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Seasons Aired: 6 ·
Renewed for Season 7: Yes (Expected 2026) ·
Original Network (UK): Channel 5 ·
US Broadcaster: PBS Masterpiece ·
Based on the works of: James Herriot

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact release date for season 7 (PBS Masterpiece (official broadcaster))
  • Whether Siegfried and Mrs. Hall will develop a romantic relationship (books contain no such storyline) (PBS Masterpiece (official broadcaster))
  • Whether future seasons will continue adapting material beyond the original books (PBS Masterpiece (official broadcaster))
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Wait for official airdates from Channel 5 and PBS (PBS Masterpiece (official broadcaster))
  • Season 8 confirmed (PBS Masterpiece (official broadcaster))
  • Release likely in 2026 (PBS Masterpiece (official broadcaster))

Nine key facts, one pattern: the show has been consistently renewed and produced on an annual cycle since its 2020 debut.

The table below captures the essential details of the series at a glance.

Attribute Details
Full Title All Creatures Great and Small
Genre Period Drama / Veterinary Drama
Based on James Herriot’s books
Developed by Ben Vanstone
Network (UK) Channel 5
Network (US) PBS Masterpiece
First Aired September 1, 2020
Number of Seasons 6 (as of 2024)
Status Renewed for Season 7
What to watch

PBS has confirmed seasons 7 and 8 but has not yet set an airdate for season 7. Fans should follow official Channel 5 and Masterpiece channels for the first firm date.

Will there be a season 7 of All Creatures Great and Small 2026?

Yes. PBS Masterpiece (official broadcaster) confirmed in November 2025 that the series will return for both a seventh and an eighth season. Production on season 7 began in early 2026, according to a Masterpiece Facebook post (official social media).

What is the release date for All Creatures Great and Small season 7?

An exact date has not been announced. PBS Masterpiece (official broadcaster) states that it does not yet have an airdate. Based on prior seasons, a 2026 premiere is widely expected. Good Housekeeping UK (lifestyle magazine) reported that filming is well underway, which supports a 2026 window.

Who will be in the cast of season 7?

All key cast members are expected to return. IMDb (film database) lists Nicholas Ralph (James Herriot), Samuel West (Siegfried Farnon), Anna Madeley (Mrs. Hall), and Rachel Shenton (Helen Alderson) as main cast. TV Insider (entertainment news) spoke with Ralph and executive producer Sharon Moran in June 2026, who teased new animals and storylines. Radio Times (UK TV listings) also reported that a star hinted at relationship developments ahead.

The upshot

The 2020 series remains remarkably faithful to Herriot’s memoirs, which is a key reason for its enduring appeal. Season 7 will likely continue that tradition while introducing fresh story arcs.

Bottom line: Season 7 is confirmed and in production. Fans should expect a 2026 release, though no exact date is set. The full main cast is expected back.

Is there a series 6 for All Creatures Great and Small?

Yes. Season 6 premiered on PBS Masterpiece (official broadcaster) in the US on January 11, 2026, per Reddit user posts (community forum). It consists of 6 episodes, consistent with recent seasons.

When did season 6 premiere?

Season 6 began airing on Masterpiece on Sunday, January 11, 2026, according to multiple fan sources.

How many episodes are in season 6?

Six episodes, following the pattern of seasons 3–5.

What is the Rotten Tomatoes rating for season 6?

Rotten Tomatoes has not yet aggregated season 6 ratings as of mid-2026. However, the series as a whole holds an average critic score above 90% on Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) for earlier seasons.

The implication: Season 6 bridged the gap between the original book adaptations and original material, setting up season 7 with new narrative possibilities.

Why was Helen replaced in All Creatures Great and Small?

Helen Alderson was not recast within the 2020 series, but a different actress portrayed her in the original 1978 adaptation. The question often arises from viewers comparing the two shows.

Who played Helen in the original 1978 series?

In the 1978 BBC series, Helen was played by Carol Drinkwater.

Why did the 2020 series recast Helen?

The 2020 series is a completely new adaptation, not a continuation. Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) confirms that the show was developed from scratch by Ben Vanstone. Rachel Shenton was cast as Helen for this version. The recasting is simply the result of a fresh production, not a replacement.

The pattern: Viewers searching for “Helen replaced” are often confusing the two adaptations. The 2020 cast is consistent across all six seasons.

Is Siegfried in love with Mrs. Hall?

On screen, there have been hints of romantic tension. Off screen, the source material offers no such relationship.

Are Siegfried and Mrs. Hall a couple in the show?

The series has dropped subtle cues — lingering glances and shared moments — that suggest a possible romance. A Radio Times (UK TV listings) report from June 2026 teased that a star indicated potential “trouble” for one character, which some interpret as relationship developments.

What is the relationship between Siegfried and Mrs. Hall in the books?

In James Herriot’s original memoirs, Mrs. Hall is Siegfried’s housekeeper, purely professional. No romantic arc exists.

The catch: The show has added dramatic license where the books were subtle. If a romance develops in season 7, it would be a departure from Herriot’s text.

Where can I watch season 7 of All Creatures Great and Small?

Official broadcasters are Channel 5 in the UK and PBS Masterpiece in the US. Streaming options include Amazon Prime Video (via PBS Masterpiece subscription) and the PBS app.

Is All Creatures Great and Small on Netflix?

Netflix does not stream the 2020 series in the US or UK. Some international regions may have different licensing, but not confirmed.

Can I watch All Creatures Great and Small on PBS?

Yes. Seasons 1–6 are available on PBS Masterpiece and the PBS streaming app. Season 7 will likely follow the same distribution.

For fans in the UK, Channel 5 (UK broadcaster) is the home network. Season 7 will air there before being available on streaming.

Bottom line: US viewers need PBS Masterpiece (via Amazon Prime or PBS app). UK viewers watch on Channel 5. Netflix is not an option for this series.

Timeline: All Creatures Great and Small seasons at a glance

  • — Season 1 premieres on Channel 5 and PBS Masterpiece.
  • — Season 2.
  • — Season 3.
  • — Season 4.
  • — Season 5.
  • — Season 6 (UK); US premiere in January 2026.
  • — Season 7. Season 8 also confirmed.

The pattern: The show has maintained a steady annual release, making a 2026 rollout for season 7 highly plausible.

What’s confirmed, what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Seasons 1–6 have been released.
  • Seasons 7 and 8 are greenlit.
  • Production of season 7 is underway.
  • Key cast members are returning.
  • The show is based on James Herriot’s books.

What’s unclear

  • Exact release date for season 7.
  • Whether Siegfried and Mrs. Hall become a couple.
  • How many episodes season 7 will have.
  • Whether future seasons will need original storylines once the books are fully adapted.

In their own words: quotes from the cast and creators

“James Herriot’s adventures as a veterinarian in 1930s Yorkshire.”

PBS Masterpiece (official broadcaster)

“We’ve got some wonderful animals and some really interesting storylines coming up.”

Nicholas Ralph (James Herriot) to TV Insider (entertainment news)

Bottom line: The cast and network are excited about season 7. The creative team is balancing faithfulness to Herriot with fresh dramatic material.

For the BBC, the decision to invest in two more seasons signals confidence that the show’s wholesome appeal will continue to attract a loyal audience. The risk is whether original storylines can match the charm of Herriot’s real-life anecdotes. For viewers, the choice is clear: tune in when season 7 drops, or wait for the inevitable box set.

Additional sources

yahoo.com, womansworld.com

Fans eagerly awaiting the premiere can look back at the previous season of the veterinary drama to catch up on the stories from Darrowby.

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Frequently asked questions

Is All Creatures Great and Small suitable for children?

Yes. The show is rated TV-PG for mild thematic elements. It contains no strong language, violence, or sexual content.

How many books did James Herriot write?

James Herriot (Alf Wight) wrote eight books, beginning with If Only They Could Talk (1970). The 2020 series adapts material from several of them.

What is the difference between the 1978 series and the 2020 series?

The 1978 version was a BBC production that ran for 90 episodes. The 2020 reboot is a Channel 5/PBS co-production with higher production values, a tighter episode count, and modern storytelling conventions.

Are any of the characters based on real people?

Yes. James Herriot (Alf Wight), Siegfried Farnon (Donald Sinclair), Mrs. Hall (Hall, the housekeeper), and Helen Alderson (Joan Wight) are all based on real individuals.

Where is the show filmed?

The outdoor scenes are filmed in the Yorkshire Dales, particularly around Grassington and Nidderdale. Interior sets are built at studios in the UK.

Who narrates the show?

The show does not have a traditional narrator, but James Herriot’s voice is heard in voiceovers occasionally, voiced by Nicholas Ralph.

Does the show have any crossovers with other series?

No. All Creatures Great and Small is a standalone series with no crossovers.