If you’re one of the many millions whose TV dreams involve a new instalment of Channel 5 superhit All Creatures Great and Small, we have good news – series 7 is coming to our screens even sooner than expected. If you haven’t yet followed vet James Herriot’s veterinary escapades in the fictional village of Darrowby, it really is the best period drama on TV, and we’re here to give you all the inside details about it.
The adaptation of Alf Wight’s stories, which are rooted in his real-life experiences, revolves around Skeldale House where James has been hired as a vet by Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West). Over the course of six series, we’ve seen him deal with everything from livestock dilemmas to pet rescues and also navigate his way through some heartbreak along the way – and now, series 7 is taking us back for more.
With series 7 set to arrive on our screens this September, here’s everything you need to know about All Creatures Great and Small, including all the inside details about the new episodes.
What is All Creatures Great and Small about?
The Channel 5 series, which first aired in 2020, follows the escapades of rural vet James Herriot (played by Nicholas Ralph) in the late 1930s. The series is based on a collection of short stories by real-life vet Alf Wight, who wrote about his own experiences under the pen name James Herriot. It’s not the first time a TV adaptation has been made: the original BBC series was broadcast between 1978 and 1990 and was a huge hit with viewers.
The modern revival is, like the original, set in the Yorkshire Dales - in the fictional village of Darrowby – and follows James as he takes up his first veterinary job at Skeldale House working for Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West). We also meet Siegfried's younger brother, Tristan (Callum Woodhouse) and the housekeeper, Mrs Hall (Anna Madeley).
There, James discovers the quirks and charms of rural life and soon discovers that animals aren’t his only problem. His new boss is rather eccentric, he has matters of the heart to deal with and plenty of work crises to contend with, too. Despite the drama James often faces, it’s a soothing and sometimes moving series that makes the perfect comfort watch.
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What happened in All Creatures Great and Small series 6?
Series 6 picked up in 1945 when the war in Europe was winding down. Tristan returned from serving with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, James and Helen (Rachel Shenton) were navigating raising two children along with the demands of the vet practice, and Siegfried was well and truly struggling to adapt to modern day veterinary methods and relationship matters at home. No spoilers, but in the final episode, we learnt exactly what Tristan had been through during his time away and it was more than any of his family could have imagined.
What will happen in All Creatures Great and Small series 7?
Series 7 will take us back to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in 1946. With the war finally over, Skeldale House is full once again and our beloved characters are looking ahead to a hopeful new chapter. James is excited about new developments in veterinary medicine, but a new vet in the area threatens the status quo.
Channel 5's official synopsis continues: "The world at large may be changing, but inside this slice of Yorkshire, the Dales will always offer the same perfect escapism. Packed with warmth, humour and community spirit, the series brings more heartwarming tales of people and animals alike."
Some of the cast have also given a taste of what's to come. Rachel Shenton told Masterpiece: “I'd love for Helen and James to have fun again, because I think it's been so serious for such a long time for them because they've been through [the war].
“I would also like to think that for the first time, we can dare to be hopeful, and that this is a chance where James and Helen are back together now with two little children, and we can have a different type of fun. No, they're not stealing kisses and sneaking off like we've seen before - there's no time for that - but it's a mature type of fun. It's them being a team, which is what they do so well.”
Callum Woodhouse shared his hopes, too, explaining that he’d like his love interest Charlotte (Gaia Wise) to stick around. “He never really had a love interest that lasted longer than a season or a couple of episodes, and I think that's initially what Charlotte was meant to be - I think… towards the end of season 6, they would kind of organically break up,” he said.
“And I remember emailing the producers and saying, 'Please, can Charlotte stick around? Because I think this is a really, really important relationship.' And they listened.”
Who’s in the cast of All Creatures Great and Small series 7?
The cast of All Creatures Great and Small series 7 includes:
- Nicholas Ralph (The Most Reluctant Convert) as Jame Herriot
- Rachel Shenton (The Rumour) as Helen Alderson
- Callum Woodhouse (The Durrells) as Tristan Farnon
- Samuel West (Mr Selfridge) as Siegfried Farnon
- Anna Madeley (Deadwater Fell) as Mrs Audrey Hall
- Patricia Hodge (Miranda) as Mrs Pumphrey
- Tony Pitts (Wild Bill) as Helen’s father Richard
- Imogen Clawson as Jenny
- Maimie McCoy (Van der Valk) as Dorothy
- Gaia Wise (Dead of Winter) as Charlotte
- Mollie Winnard (Happy Valley) as Maggie
- Caolan McCarthy (Belfast, Cyrano De Bergerac: the RSC) as Granville Bennett
Is there a trailer for All Creatures Great and Small series 7?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for All Creatures Great and Small series 7 below.
Is All Creatures Great and Small any good?
Yes – in fact, the series is Channel 5’s most successful drama series to date, having reached over 14 million individuals across the first 5 instalments. Its huge army of fans no doubt come from the fact the show is so easy to watch – comforting, poignant and the sort of drama you don’t have to pay too much attention to in order to understand what’s going on.
How can I watch All Creatures Great and Small series 7?
All Creatures Great and Small series 7 will premiere on Thursday 17th September at 9pm on Channel 5. In the meantime, you can catch up on - or rewatch - series 1-6 on Channel 5.
What other period dramas can I watch now?
If you haven’t yet seen Jodie Comer’s performance in The White Princess, it’s well worth a watch. The series revolves around the marriage of Henry VII (Jacob Collins-Levy) and Elizabeth of York (Jodie), which ended the Wars of the Roses. You can watch The White Princess on Channel 4. Or, if you like the sound of a period drama with a supernatural twist, we’d recommend The Nevers. The drama is set in Victorian London and follows a group of women known as the Touched, who have supernatural abilities. The Nevers is available to watch on ITVX.
