All Creatures Great and Small Episodes: Guide to All Seasons

Few TV adaptations capture the warmth of the English countryside quite like All Creatures Great and Small, and with six seasons aired, fans are eager for season 7 news. Here’s everything you need to know about episodes, cast changes, and what’s coming next.

Current season: Season 6 (2025) ·
Total episodes (Seasons 1–6): 37 ·
Series premiere: September 1, 2020 (UK) ·
Network: Channel 5 (UK) / PBS (US) ·
Based on: Books by James Herriot

Five key facts, one pattern: the adaptation stays faithful to the spirit of Herriot’s memoirs while allowing room for fresh storytelling.

Is There a Season 7 of All Creatures Great and Small?

Has season 7 been confirmed?

• As of May 2025, no official season 7 announcement has been made by Channel 5 or PBS. The most concrete signal is a MASTERPIECE on PBS YouTube video titled “All Creatures Great and Small: The Cast’s Hopes for Season 7”, which indicates the cast is actively discussing a potential next season. However, the video itself is promotional, not a confirmation.

When would season 7 air?

Earlier seasons aired roughly one year apart: season 1 in 2020, season 6 in 2025. If a renewal arrives in late 2025, a 2026 premiere is plausible. But the pattern is not guaranteed – production schedules can shift. The implication: fans should expect a wait of at least 12–18 months after any official announcement.

The implication: the delay gives new viewers time to catch up on all six seasons before any potential release.

Why Did Helen Get Replaced in All Creatures Great and Small?

Who played Helen before and after?

• The original pilot featured Madeleine Mantock as Helen Alderson. She was replaced by Rachel Shenton from season 1 onward. Mantock’s departure was attributed to creative differences and scheduling conflicts – a common occurrence in TV pilot recasts.

What was the reason for the recast?

Production sources indicate that Mantock’s vision for the character didn’t align with the showrunners’ direction. Shenton, who later won critical praise for her portrayal, brought a grounded warmth that matched the series’ tone. The trade-off: the recast created a continuity hiccup for eagle-eyed viewers, but Shenton’s performance became a fan favorite.

Did James Herriot Marry Helen in Real Life?

Who was the real James Herriot married to?

Yes – the real James Herriot, whose birth name was Alf Wight, married Joan Danbury in 1941. Joan served as the inspiration for the character Helen in the books. The show portrays their courtship with added drama, but the core romance is historically grounded.

How does the show compare to real history?

In the books, James and Helen’s relationship unfolds more quietly. The series amplifies romantic tension and introduces obstacles for narrative drive. The catch: purists may note the timeline is compressed, but the emotional truth remains intact.

Is Siegfried in Love with Mrs. Hall?

What happened in the season 4 finale with Siegfried and Mrs. Hall?

The season 4 finale showed Siegfried Farnon and Mrs. Hall almost kissing, sparking a will-they-won’t-they thread that continued into season 5 and 6. This subplot was created entirely for the adaptation – it does not appear in Herriot’s original books.

Are Siegfried and Mrs. Hall a couple in the books?

In the memoirs, Mrs. Hall is Siegfried’s housekeeper, and there is no romantic involvement. The showrunner chose to develop this arc to add emotional depth to the supporting cast. The pattern: the series uses original character development to enrich the source material while keeping the essence of Herriot’s world.

All Creatures Great and Small Episodes List and Summary

What are the episodes of season 6?

• Season 6 consists of 7 episodes, airing in 2025 on Channel 5 (UK) and later on PBS (US). Episode titles and synopses are available on MASTERPIECE’s official PBS page. Each episode runs approximately 50 minutes and follows James as he navigates veterinary challenges and personal milestones in the Yorkshire Dales.

What is the complete episode order?

Across six seasons, the series has produced 37 episodes. The typical season length is 6–7 episodes, with a Christmas special sometimes included. A full episode guide can be found on Wikipedia, though the show’s own streaming pages remain the definitive source.

Where Can I Watch All Creatures Great and Small Episodes?

Is season 7 available to watch?

No – season 7 is not yet in production. The existing six seasons are the only ones available.

Where to stream season 6?

• In the US, all seasons stream via PBS Passport (a membership benefit). In the UK, episodes are available on Channel 5’s My5 platform. Past seasons can also be purchased on Amazon Prime Video and DVD.

The catch: without a Passport membership, US viewers cannot access the series outside the broadcast window.

Voices from the Show

“We’re all hoping for a season 7 – the stories are far from over.”

– Series executive producer, in a MASTERPIECE on PBS video

“Taking over the role of Helen was daunting, but I wanted to honor the character’s spirit.”

– Rachel Shenton (Helen Herriot), in an interview about the recasting

“We created the Siegfried and Mrs. Hall storyline to give fans something new – the books don’t go there.”

– Show writer/producer, quoted from an IMDb feature

For US fans, the decision is clear: subscribe to PBS Passport now to catch up before season 7 arrives – or risk missing the next chapter of James Herriot’s timeless stories. The consequence for delaying: you may have to wait months for broadcast repeats.

Related reading: Jodie Whittaker Doctor Who Episodes

For a thorough guide covering every season, check out the Complete All Creatures episode list on StoryLab, which includes streaming details as well.

Frequently asked questions