The beloved veterinarians of Skeldale House are officially back at work. Samuel West, who plays Siegfried Farnon on the Channel 5 and PBS series All Creatures Great and Small, has confirmed that production for Season 7 is now underway. The actor shared the update on social media over the weekend, posting a photo of a clapperboard that read “ACGAS is back for Series Seven.”
This news arrives just as American audiences finish watching the Season 6 finale, which aired on PBS on February 22, 2026. The timing could not be better for viewers who are already missing their regular visits to the fictional town of Darrowby.
Cast and Crew Reunite for Seventh Season
Samuel West took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the exciting news with fans. His post featured a clapperboard and a simple but joyful caption.
“ACGAS is back for Series Seven. With Brian and Erik: very heaven. (I can’t do this too many times – ‘Seven’ hasn’t many rhymes).”
The “Brian” he mentions is director Brian Percival, who has been with the show since its first series in 2020. Percival also confirmed the start of production on his Instagram account, posting an image of the familiar clapperboard marked “Slate 1 Take 1” propped up against 1940s-style props including books and a cash tin. His caption read: “Here we go…. S7 #ACGAS.”
West shared another behind-the-scenes look at the set, giving fans a glimpse of the cast and crew gathering outside the iconic Skeldale House location.
“8am. 1st Assistant Director Sarah Pate runs through Health and Safety outside Skeldale House. So many old friends in this picture. #ACGAS has a very low turnover of crew.”
This low turnover of crew members speaks to the family-like atmosphere on set that the cast often mentions in interviews. The show films primarily in the Yorkshire Dales, with the village of Grassington serving as the exterior for Darrowby. The interior scenes are shot at studios nearby.
What This Means for the Upcoming Season
Filming for All Creatures Great and Small typically runs from February through June each year. This schedule allows the production to capture the beautiful Yorkshire landscape across seasons, though the Christmas special episodes are often filmed during the warmest months while actors wear heavy winter costumes.
The show has been renewed for both Season 7 and Season 8, a double renewal that PBS Masterpiece announced back in November 2025. Susanne Simpson, Head of Scripted Content and Executive Producer for Masterpiece, shared her enthusiasm at the time.
“All Creatures Great and Small has found its way into the hearts of American audiences and is one of our most-watched series on Masterpiece. I’m thrilled to bring more seasons of the warmth, hope and humor that make this series so special to Masterpiece PBS.”
Greg Barnett, commissioning editor at Channel 5, also expressed his excitement about the show’s continued success.
“All Creatures Great and Small is a jewel in Channel 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.”
Fan Reactions to the Filming News
The announcement that Season 7 is officially in production has brought joy to viewers around the world. Social media quickly filled with positive responses to Samuel West‘s post.
One fan commented: “Fantastic news! This show is the best thing on TV by far! Love it #ACGAS.”
Another viewer wrote: “Great news. A wonderful series with a great cast. Always look forward to seeing the next episode.”
A third person shared: “Hooray! And we are pleased that you’re all back for a 7th series. Creating more wonderful episodes for us to watch and enjoy (how is it 7 years already?)”
The show first premiered in the UK on September 1, 2020, and has since become one of Channel 5’s most successful drama series, reaching more than 14 million people across the first five series.
Season 6 Finale Emotional Impact
The start of production for Season 7 comes right after American viewers experienced the emotional Season 6 finale. The episode dealt heavily with Tristan Farnon’s return from war and his struggle with post-traumatic stress.
Callum Woodhouse, who plays Tristan, spoke about portraying this sensitive subject matter. He explained the challenge of showing a character who tries to maintain a brave face while dealing with internal pain.
“Tristan’s good at putting on a brave face. Quite a lot of the time, he is able to just be in the moment — being in the [pub] with James or helping a farmer with his animal. He’s able to take joy from that, then the second he’s left to his own thoughts, the cloud descends over his brain again.”
In the finale episode, Tristan finally opened up about his wartime experiences. He told Siegfried through tears: “I got the medal because I managed to save a few chaps. But Billy wasn’t one of them. He saved me, but I couldn’t save him. The cross should be his, not mine.”
The scene was triggered by a spooked horse, showing how everyday events can bring back traumatic memories for veterans.
Expected Cast for Season 7
The main cast members are all expected to return for the new season. This includes Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot, the gentle Scottish veterinarian who moved to Darrowby and found a new home. Rachel Shenton will return as his wife Helen, and Samuel West continues as the sometimes grumpy but kind-hearted Siegfried Farnon.
Anna Madeley is back as the indispensable Mrs. Hall, who keeps Skeldale House running smoothly. Callum Woodhouse will reprise his role as Tristan Farnon, Siegfried’s younger brother who has returned from war service. Patricia Hodge returns as the eccentric Mrs. Pumphrey, doting owner of the pampered Pekingese Tricki Woo.
James Anthony-Rose, who joined the cast as student vet Richard Carmody, is also expected to appear in the new season.
Release Date Expectations for Season 7
While no official release date has been announced yet, the show has followed a consistent pattern since it began. New seasons typically premiere in the UK on Channel 5 around September or October each year. Following this pattern, Season 7 would likely arrive in the UK in fall 2026.
For American viewers, the show airs on PBS Masterpiece, usually a few months after the UK broadcast. This means US audiences can probably expect to see Season 7 in early 2027.
Season 6 followed this exact timeline, debuting on Channel 5 in September 2025 and arriving on PBS in January 2026. The Christmas special aired in the UK at the end of 2025 and has already been seen by British viewers, while American audiences just finished the regular season episodes.
What Might Happen in Season 7
Plot details for the upcoming season remain under wraps, but the show draws from the beloved books by James Herriot (the pen name of real-life veterinarian Alfred Wight). Season 6 moved the timeline to 1945 as World War II came to an end, showing the characters reuniting and adjusting to peacetime.
With the war now over, Season 7 will likely explore life in the late 1940s. The characters face new challenges as they rebuild their lives and community. James and Helen have started their family, Skeldale House is full again with Tristan’s return, and the veterinary practice continues to serve the farmers and animals of the Yorkshire Dales.
The show’s producers have indicated there are still many stories to tell. With two full seasons guaranteed, viewers can look forward to more of the gentle humor, touching moments, and beautiful scenery that have made the series a comfort watch for millions around the world.
Also Read:
Awards and Recognition
The show continues to receive recognition from viewers and critics alike. Just last month, All Creatures Great and Small won Best Drama Series at the TV Choice awards, voted by television viewers. This fan appreciation reflects the special place the series holds in people’s hearts.
Brian Percival, who has been lead director since the first series, spoke about why he took on the project in 2019. He explained his motivation came from wanting to offer people an escape during difficult times.
“When I decided to take on All Creatures Great and Small in 2019, the world was in such a bad place with constant bad news, so I wanted to offer people an escape—even if it was just for an hour or two.”
That mission continues with Season 7, as the cast and crew gather once again in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales to create new episodes for fans to enjoy.
For more stories about your favorite TV shows, movies, and stars, keep visiting VvipTimes for the latest updates from the world of entertainment.
