Fans of All Creatures Great and Small have been given a first glimpse of the drama ahead in a new trailer for series 7, which teases trouble, romance, and a surprise kiss that will leave viewers floored.
The much-loved Channel 5 series returns for its seventh season this month, with plenty of familiar faces back in the Yorkshire Dales. However, the latest trailer suggests life at Skeldale House is about to look very different.
New arrival shakes up Darrowby
Set in 1946, the new series follows James Herriot and his friends and family as they try to build a future after the turmoil of the Second World War. But peace doesn't necessarily mean life will be simple for the residents of Darrowby.
The 60-second trailer opens with the arrival of newcomer Granville Bennett, played by Caolan McCarthy, who wastes little time causing tension. A rival vet, Granville appears determined to make his mark, with his arrival potentially putting James in an uncomfortable position.
For James, played by Nicholas Ralph, there are also big changes happening much closer to home. His marriage to Helen, played by Rachel Shenton, continues to develop as the pair face the realities of raising a young family. One particularly emotional moment sees Helen having a frank conversation with her father Richard about the future of the farm. Helen makes it clear that she believes it is time to embrace a new way of life, hinting at difficult decisions ahead for the family.
A big moment for James and Helen
Away from the farm, James and Helen are facing another milestone as their eldest son Jimmy prepares to start school. The moment marks another reminder of just how much their lives have changed. After everything they have been through, the couple are now raising a family of their own – but the trailer suggests that parenthood and life in the Dales won't always be straightforward.
Trouble for Tristan and Charlotte?
There could be heartbreak ahead for Tristan Farnon and Charlotte Beauvoir. The couple declared their love for each other during the Christmas special, but the new trailer appears to cast doubt over what comes next.
Tristan, played by Callum Woodhouse, is left fearing for the future of their relationship as the possibility emerges that Charlotte could be leaving. After finally finding happiness together, the pair could now be facing a painful separation.
Meanwhile, back at Skeldale House, Mrs Hall finds herself adjusting to another change as Siegfried and Dorothy's relationship continues to grow with a surprise kiss unfolding in the kitchen.
Samuel West returns as the eccentric Siegfried Farnon, while Anna Madeley is back as Mrs Hall. The familiar faces don't stop there. Patricia Hodge returns as the unforgettable Mrs Pumphrey, complete with her adored dog Tricki, while Tony Pitts, Imogen Clawson, Maimie McCoy, Gaia Wise and Mollie Winnard are also back.
And, of course, no series of All Creatures Great and Small would be complete without the animals. James and the team will once again be dealing with the unpredictable highs and lows of veterinary life, with the stunning Yorkshire countryside providing the backdrop to their latest adventures.
The seventh series is set to bring together everything viewers love about the show – from its emotional animal stories and beautiful scenery to its complicated romances, family dramas and moments of gentle comedy. But with a new rival arriving, relationships facing uncertainty and major changes taking place within the families, it seems Darrowby could be in for one of its most eventful chapters yet.
All Creatures Great and Small series 7 will air on Channel 5 from 9pm on Thursday, September 17. All Creatures Great and Small: Behind the Magic will air at 9pm on Friday 18 September.
