All Creatures Great and Small season seven is heading to Channel 5 this September, with a "rival" vet set to descend on Darrowby and give Skeldale House some stiff competition. First-look images have been released, featuring the much-loved returning cast, including Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot, Anna Madeley as Mrs Hall, Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon, Rachel Shenton as Helen Herriot and Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon.
New arrival shakes up Skeldale
Shaking things up with his arrival is Caolan McCarthy, an Irish actor who takes on the role of newly appeared rival vet Granville Bennett. He will be accompanied by a number of fresh guest characters who help bring further beloved stories from Herriot's world to the screen.
Also returning to their roles for season seven are Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey, Tony Pitts as Helen's father Richard and Imogen Clawson as her sister Jenny. Maimie McCoy is back as Dorothy, as she and Siegfried explore a budding romance, with Gaia Wise as Charlotte and Mollie Winnard as Maggie.
Romance blossoms for Siegfried
Channel 5 painted the picture for the forthcoming season: "Series seven of All Creatures Great and Small returns viewers to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in 1946. With the war finally over, Skeldale House is full once again and livelier than ever as our beloved characters reunite under one roof and look 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. 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."
Episode count and premiere details
The forthcoming series will comprise six episodes as usual, alongside a Christmas Special. In the UK, the programme will return to 5 this September, with a precise broadcast date to be confirmed shortly. Season seven was announced as part of a double series commission together with season eight, back in November 2025.
Newcomer Caolan McCarthy, hailing from Tyrone in Ireland, previously appeared in the 2021 film Belfast, and is also a Grammy-nominated musician. He graduated from the prestigious RADA in 2015, with one of his earliest roles coming in the short film Art of Invisible.
Producers and cast react
Following the season seven renewal, Greg Barnett, commissioning editor for 5, commented: "All Creatures Great and Small is a jewel in 5's drama crown and continues to delight viewers year after year. Its warmth, humour, and heart, set against the beauty of Yorkshire, have made it a firm audience favourite.
"We're thrilled to extend its future with two more series, with many new stories still to tell and more unforgettable adventures ahead for our Skeldale family."
The series draws inspiration from James Herriot's timeless books, which have sold over 60 million copies globally. Melissa Gallant and Sharon Moran, joint executive producers for Playground Productions, stated: "We frequently receive letters from viewers about how the show has brought joy, comfort and relief in challenging times. Making television that has that effect and is beloved around the world year after year is the greatest privilege, and we're thrilled to be continuing the All Creatures journey."
All Creatures Great and Small season 7 returns to Channel 5 in September.
