5 has confirmed that treasured series All Creatures Great and Small will return with a double commission announced for series 7 and 8, each comprising of six episodes (6 x 60’) plus Christmas Specials. The series, based on James Herriot’s cherished books, is produced by BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning company Playground (Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, The Hardacres, The Undeclared War) and MASTERPIECE on PBS, in association with global partner All3Media International.
All Creatures Great and Small remains 5’s most successful drama series to date, having reached over 14 million individuals across the first 5 series, and it continues to be the top programme across the channel year after year.
Series 5, which aired in autumn 2024, reached a total of 6.2 million viewers. During its broadcast, 5 was the number one channel and the series also became 5 Streaming’s top drama commission of 2024, driving more new users to the platform than any other show.
Series 6 of All Creatures Great and Small returned to the channel this September, taking us back to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales for more heartwarming human and animal tales. The series jumps forward in time to 1945. The intervening years have seen our cherished Skeldale gang somewhat scattered with James and Helen now living at Heston Grange farm, Tristan serving overseas, Mrs Hall away and Siegfried struggling to cope on his own at Skeldale, but they gladly reunite as the war in Europe comes to a close and look forward to a peaceful future. The series brings its usual soothing warmth, humour and sense of community alongside a host of animals great and small.
In the US, MASTERPIECE on PBS will air series 6 from Sunday 11th January 2026.
All Creatures Great and Small is a Playground production for 5 and MASTERPIECE in association with All3Media International. Series 7 and 8 was commissioned by Deputy Director of Programmes, Paramount, Sebastian Cardwell, alongside Paul Testar and Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editors, 5. Executive Producers for series 7 are Colin Callender, Melissa Gallant and Sharon Moran for Playground, writer Neil Jones, Susanne Simpson for MASTERPIECE, Louise Pedersen and David Swetman for All3Media International and Sebastian Cardwell, Paul Testar and Greg Barnett for 5. Yvonne Francas returns as Producer.
Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor, 5 said “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.”
Melissa Gallant and Sharon Moran, joint Executive Producers for Playground commented: “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 with 5, Masterpiece on PBS and All3Media International into series 7 and 8. It’s a show which people love to watch and love to make and we can’t wait for more adventures in beautiful Yorkshire with our wonderful cast and crew.”
Susanne Simpson, Executive Producer for MASTERPIECE added: “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.”
Lauren Jackson, VP Scripted at All3Media International commented “Audiences around the world will be thrilled to hear the news of two further series of this heartwarming and enduringly popular series, produced impeccably by Playground for 5 and MASTERPIECE PBS.”
The series is inspired by Herriot’s timeless books, which have sold over 60 million copies globally and remain a cherished part of literary and television heritage.
Further details for S7 and 8 will be announced in due course. Series 1 – 6 are currently available to stream on 5, with the 2025 Christmas Special due to air on 5 later this year.
