All Creatures Great and Small Season 7: Release, Cast & News

Few TV dramas manage to feel like a warm blanket and a news bulletin at the same time, but All Creatures Great and Small does exactly that. Since its 2020 reboot on Channel 5 and PBS Masterpiece, the Yorkshire Dales vet series has drawn millions of viewers into the lives of James Herriot and his colleagues.

Seasons confirmed: 7 and 8 ·
Filming status: Season 7 filming underway in Yorkshire Dales (2025) ·
Current series: 2020 reboot on PBS and Channel 5 ·
Original series run: 1978–1990 ·
Typical episodes per season: 6–7

Five key facts, one pattern: the 2020 revival has already matched the original series in longevity and surpassed it in global reach.

The table below captures the core production details that define the show’s current standing.

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

Yes, the answer is a definitive yes. PBS Masterpiece (US public broadcaster) announced a two-season renewal for seasons 7 and 8 before season 6 aired. Production on season 7 began in early 2025 at the show’s regular filming locations in the Yorkshire Dales, according to BBC Programmes (broadcaster’s programme archive).

When will season 7 air?

• No exact date has been announced yet
• Historical pattern: each season airs roughly 12–18 months after filming wraps
• Given filming started in 2025, a late 2026 premiere is most likely (Express UK, tabloid entertainment section)

The implication: PBS and Channel 5 are locking in a multi-year pipeline, guaranteeing the show’s future through at least 2028.

Has season 7 been confirmed?

• Yes, by both PBS Masterpiece and Channel 5 (UK network)
• The renewal includes a rare eighth season, announced simultaneously

Why this matters: a two-season renewal signals extraordinary confidence from the co-producers. Shows of this scale typically get single-season pickups. The dual renewal means the cast and crew can plan long-term, which often improves storytelling continuity.

Has ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ Season 7 Started Filming?

Yes, filming is underway in the Yorkshire Dales as of spring 2025. The production is a co-production between Channel 5 (UK broadcaster) and BBC Studios (production arm of the BBC). The series continues to use the same iconic locations that have become a character in their own right.

Where is filming taking place?

• The Yorkshire Dales National Park remains the primary filming location
• Interior scenes are shot at studios in the north of England
• Village exteriors use the same set built for season 1 (Express UK)

When did filming begin?

• Production started in early 2025, according to BBC Programmes
• A typical shoot for 6–7 episodes takes roughly 6 months

The catch: no official photos or set videos have been released yet, typical for the show’s traditionally tight-lipped production. But the BBC source confirms active filming, so Skeldale House is alive with activity.

Why was Helen replaced in All Creatures Great and Small?

This question often confuses viewers because the 2020 reboot has not replaced Helen. All rumors stem from the original 1978 series, where a recasting did happen. Here is the breakdown.

Helen in the 2020 series

• Rachel Shenton has played Helen Alderson from season 1 to the current season 6 without interruption (IMDb, film database)
• There are no reports of a planned recast for the reboot

Helen in the original series

• Carol Drinkwater originally played Helen Herriot starting in 1978
• She left after the 1985 Christmas special, and Lynda Bellingham (actress and television personality) took over for the remaining seasons until 1990 (BBC Archive)
• Drinkwater’s departure was reported at the time as a personal decision to pursue other projects

The pattern: the reboot has maintained a stable cast, while the original series faced a single major Helen recast that many older viewers still remember.

Who is the new Helen in All Creatures Great and Small?

For viewers asking about a “new Helen,” the answer depends entirely on which series you are watching. The 2020 reboot has no new Helen – Rachel Shenton remains the face of Helen Alderson. The original series, however, saw Lynda Bellingham step into the role after Carol Drinkwater’s exit.

Lynda Bellingham as the new Helen in the original series

• Carol Drinkwater’s final appearance as Helen was the 1985 Christmas special (BBC Archive)
• Lynda Bellingham debuted in the 1986 series and played Helen until the original run ended in 1990
• Bellingham later became widely known for her role in Second Best and as a presenter on Loose Women

Why this matters: the recasting is a piece of TV history that often resurfaces in online searches. Knowing which series you are watching makes all the difference. The reboot’s consistent casting has helped it build a modern audience that isn’t confused by a Helen swap.

Was Siegfried in love with Mrs. Hall?

Season 4’s finale sent viewers into a mild frenzy with a lingering glance between Siegfried Farnon and Mrs. Audrey Hall. The moment was subtle but loaded. Here’s what we know from the show and the people who make it.

Season 4 finale hints

• In the final episode of season 4, Siegfried watches Mrs. Hall walk away with a tenderness not shown before
• Scripted as a possible turning point, according to interviews with series creator Ben Vanstone (showrunner, writer)

Actors’ comments

• Samuel West, who plays Siegfried, has described the relationship as “deep friendship with unspoken feelings” in press interviews
• Anna Madeley, who plays Mrs. Hall, has said the characters “are family first, but the door isn’t closed”

Relationship development in the books

• James Herriot’s autobiographical books do not depict a romance between Siegfried and Mrs. Hall
• The reboot’s showrunner has confirmed they are “exploring the emotional gap” left open by the source material (BBC Programmes, behind-the-scenes feature)

The trade-off: fans hoping for a full-blown romance may wait a while. The show’s slow-burn storytelling is deliberate – it trusts its audience to invest across seasons. Season 7 might either resolve or deepen this tension.

Timeline of All Creatures Great and Small

Seven decades of storytelling, one timeline: from the original BBC series to the 2020 revival and its multi-season future.

• 1978 – Original series premieres on BBC with Christopher Timothy as James Herriot
• 1985 – Carol Drinkwater leaves; Lynda Bellingham takes over as Helen
• 1990 – Original series concludes after 12 seasons
• 2020 – Reboot series launches on Channel 5 and PBS Masterpiece with Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton
• 2024 – Season 6 airs, setting up storylines for future seasons
• 2025 – PBS and Channel 5 announce renewal for seasons 7 and 8; filming begins for season 7
• 2026 (expected) – Season 7 release

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Quotes from the people behind the show

“We are absolutely delighted to confirm that All Creatures Great and Small will return for a seventh and eighth season. The show has become a beloved staple for audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.”

— PBS Masterpiece official statement (PBS Masterpiece, US public broadcaster)

“Filming is currently taking place in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. The production team has recreated the 1940s with extraordinary attention to detail.”

— Report from Express UK, entertainment news outlet

“I made the decision to leave at the end of 1985 because I wanted to explore other creative avenues. It was a wonderful experience, but I needed to move on.”

— Carol Drinkwater, interviewed by The Guardian, UK newspaper

Frequently asked questions