Will There Be An All Creatures Great And Small Series 8?

By Isabel Dempsey

1 hour ago

Here's everything we know so far


For fans of cosy, comfort TV, it doesn’t get much more bucolic and British than All Creatures Great And Small. In case you’re unfamiliar with the feel-good period drama, the show is based on the semi-autobiographical books by veterinary surgeon Alf Wight, who wrote under the pen name James Herriot. His works were originally reimagined for the small screen by the BBC throughout the 1970s and 80s, and then adapted again by Channel 5, who released the first episode of the current series back in 2020.

The veterinary version of Call The Midwife, the show revolves around a trio of vets in the Yorkshire Dales in the late 1930s and 40s. The eccentric Siegfried Farnon hires James Herriot for his practice at Skeldale House, where they reside with Siegfried’s younger brother, Tristan, and Mrs Hall, their housekeeper. But by the close of series 7 it seems that life at Skeldale House may change for good, and fans are desperate to know what’s in store for Siegfried and Mrs Hall. Here’s everything we know about All Creatures Great And Small series 8.

All Creatures Great And Small

©5 Broadcasting Limited / © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2026 / Photographer: Helen Williams

What Happened At The End Of Series 7? (Spoilers Ahead…)

In the finale of All Creatures Great And Small series 7, Siegfried Farnon’s upcoming nuptials to Dorothy are the talk of the town. Not one to easily settle down, in the lead-up to the wedding Siegfried remains conflicted about his decision to marry Dorothy and move in with her. As doing so would mean leaving Skeldale house, and with it his housekeeper and confidant Mrs Hall.

It’s only when he starts to dictate his wedding speech to Tristan, that he comes to realise the true depth of his feelings for his friend Mrs Hall. He recites: ‘For the many happy evenings we’ve spent playing cards and word games; the way she puts up with all my little foibles; the way she allows me to be me. For the countless immeasurable ways she makes my life better.’ And that’s when it hits him: ‘I can’t imagine my life without her.’

Realising that he can no longer, in good conscience, marry Dorothy, he calls off the wedding. Though she acknowledges her pain, she admits she’s ‘glad, in a way’ – ‘I wouldn’t want to be married to someone who doesn’t love me with their whole heart. I deserve better than that.’

He goes home to Mrs Hall to reveal that the wedding’s off. It seems that the romantic proclamation is on the tip of his tongue. But then the moment is lost, and the credits roll. 

All Creatures Great And Small

©5 Broadcasting Limited / © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2026 / Photographer: Helen Williams

When Will See The Next Episode Of All Creatures Great And Small?

For those desperate to know what will happen next between Mrs Hall and Siegfried, thankfully we won’t have to wait long for answers, with the annual Christmas episode already confirmed. Though a specific broadcast date has yet to be announced, in previous years the festive special has aired on Christmas Eve (24 December) at 9pm on Channel 5

Will There Be A Series 8?

And if the Christmas special doesn’t whet your appetite, there’s always series 8 to look forward to. The Yorkshire-set period drama was renewed for both series 7 and 8 back in late 2025. 

All Creatures Great And Small

Mrs Hall in All Creatures Great And Small. ©5 Broadcasting Limited / © Playground Television UK Ltd. 2026 / Photographer: Helen Williams

Who Will Star?

No official series 8 cast list has been confirmed, but we expect the show’s main ensemble to return:

  • Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot
  • Rachel Shenton as Helen Herriot
  • Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon
  • Anna Madeley as Mrs Hall
  • Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon
  • Thomas Riches as Jimmy Herriot
  • Isabella Ward as Rosie Herriot

When Will It Air?

No news yet on when exactly series 8 will come to our screens. Typically new seasons are released annually in September, so here’s to a September 2027 release date. 

All Creatures Great and Small series 1–7 are currently available to stream on 5.

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