All Creatures Great and Small returns to 5 tonight with another trip to the Yorkshire Dales, as Helen looks to modernise life at Heston, Siegfried attempts to shake up the veterinary practice and Mrs Hall turns her attention to helping the local community.
The much-loved drama is back for its seventh series, with the latest episode promising another mixture of animal cases, family tensions, gentle comedy and the clash between tradition and a changing post-war world.
Titled “The Friesians Are Coming!”, tonight’s episode follows directly from last week’s series opener, which saw the characters adjusting to life in 1946 as the Dales began to move forward after the Second World War.
The new episode airs tonight, Thursday 24 September, at 9pm on 5.
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What happens in All Creatures Great and Small tonight?
Helen is looking towards the future at Heston Grange and believes the farm needs to change if it is going to thrive.
Her latest idea is to introduce a group of Friesian cows, with Helen hoping their greater milk yield will ultimately prove good for business.
There is, however, one major obstacle: Richard.
Helen must convince him that bringing the new cows to Heston is the right move, setting up another conflict between established ways of doing things and her desire to invest in the future.
The storyline continues one of the season’s emerging themes — the idea that the end of the war is bringing about a period of significant social and economic change.
Helen is increasingly looking beyond the traditional way of doing things, but not everyone around her is necessarily ready to follow.
Siegfried wants to change the practice
Over at Skeldale House, Siegfried Farnon is also determined to make changes.
His mission is to improve the veterinary practice, although his plans do not receive universal approval.
Among those unimpressed by Siegfried’s approach are Dales farmers Mr Hollins and Grandad Hollins, two men who are decidedly sceptical about anything they consider “new”.
Their latest problem involves their sow, Harriet, who needs veterinary attention.
That puts Siegfried in a familiar situation: trying to convince stubborn clients that his approach is the right one while attempting to improve the way the practice operates.
The episode therefore appears to give Samuel West another opportunity to explore Siegfried’s increasingly complicated relationship with change.
And there is also a lighter side to Siegfried’s storyline.
His good mood, courtesy of Dorothy, gives Tristan the perfect opportunity to try his luck — something that is unlikely to end entirely according to plan.
Mrs Hall, Mrs Pumphrey and Maggie team up
The episode also brings together three of the show’s most recognisable characters as Mrs Hall, Mrs Pumphrey and Maggie meet at the Women’s Institute.
Their discussion turns to ways they can support people in the local community, with Mrs Hall coming up with an idea of her own.
It is another storyline that highlights the importance of community to All Creatures Great and Small.
While the veterinary cases provide much of the drama, the series has always placed equal emphasis on the relationships between the people living and working in Darrowby.
The WI storyline looks set to continue that tradition, while also giving Anna Madeley, Patricia Hodge and Molly Winnard’s characters an opportunity to work together.
Tricki needs Uncle Herriot’s help
Animal lovers can also expect the return of one of the show’s most popular characters.
Tricki, the pampered dog belonging to Mrs Pumphrey, needs some help — meaning James Herriot is called upon once again.
Nicholas Ralph’s James has become the emotional centre of the modern series, balancing his responsibilities as a country vet with his growing family life alongside Helen.
Tricki’s cases have also provided some of the show’s most memorable comic moments over the years.
All Creatures Great and Small Series 7 cast
The main cast returns for the seventh series, with Nicholas Ralph leading the ensemble as James Herriot.
He is joined by:
- Rachel Shenton as Helen Herriot
- Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon
- Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon
- Anna Madeley as Mrs Audrey Hall
- Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey
- James Anthony-Rose as Richard Carmody
The series has also introduced new and returning supporting characters as the story moves into the post-war period.
PBS’s official material for the new series highlights the changing world facing the characters, with the cast describing a period of social change and a veterinary profession that is also beginning to evolve.
How many people watched last week’s All Creatures Great and Small?
The seventh-series premiere, “Back to School,” attracted an overnight audience of approximately 1.4 million viewers on Channel 5, according to ratings figures reported by Broadcast and cited in the UK ratings discussion. It represented a 13.6% audience share and was Channel 5’s highest overnight rating for six months.
The episode returned the show to a 9pm Thursday night slot and introduced viewers to the post-war setting, with James dealing with a mystery illness affecting a cat, a new vet arriving in Darrowby and Jimmy preparing for his first day at school.
The overnight figure does not represent the show’s complete audience, as UK television ratings can increase substantially once delayed viewing and streaming are included.
All Creatures Great and Small remains a major success for Channel 5
The continued return of All Creatures Great and Small reflects its importance to Channel 5.
The broadcaster has described the drama as its most successful drama series to date, with the first five series reaching more than 14 million individuals. Series 5 alone reached a total audience of 6.2 million viewers. Channel 5 also said the fifth series helped make the programme its top drama commission on 5 Streaming in 2024, driving more new users to the platform than any other show that year.
That success has already secured the future of the series beyond its current run.
Channel 5 confirmed in 2025 that All Creatures Great and Small had been renewed for Series 7 and Series 8, with each series consisting of six episodes plus a Christmas special.
The renewal means fans can look forward to more stories from Darrowby even after the current series concludes.
When is All Creatures Great and Small on tonight?
All Creatures Great and Small Series 7, Episode 2 airs tonight, Thursday 24 September 2026, at 9pm on Channel 5.
The episode is scheduled to run for approximately an hour.
The episode is titled “The Friesians Are Coming!” and follows Helen’s attempt to introduce the new Friesian cattle to Heston, Siegfried’s efforts to modernise the veterinary practice, the Hollins family’s troublesome sow Harriet and the Women’s Institute storyline involving Mrs Hall, Mrs Pumphrey and Maggie.
How can US viewers watch All Creatures Great and Small?
American viewers will be able to watch Series 7 on MASTERPIECE on PBS.
PBS has confirmed that the seventh series will premiere in the US on Sunday, January 17, 2027, at 9/8c. Episodes will be available through pbs.org and the PBS app, subject to local PBS availability.
PBS has also been providing previews and behind-the-scenes material ahead of the American premiere, including footage of Jimmy preparing for his first day at school and interviews with the cast about what lies ahead for their characters.
What to expect from tonight’s episode
If last week’s episode established the new post-war direction of All Creatures Great and Small, tonight’s instalment looks set to develop one of its central ideas: change is coming to the Yorkshire Dales, whether everyone is ready for it or not.
Helen wants to modernise Heston.
Siegfried wants to improve Skeldale.
The Hollins family would seemingly prefer things to stay exactly as they are.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, Mrs Hall, Mrs Pumphrey and Maggie are looking for ways to help their neighbours, while James once again finds himself treating one of the Dales’ more memorable animals.
With Friesian cows, a troublesome sow, a potentially emboldened Siegfried and the ever-unfortunate Tricki all featuring, tonight’s episode looks set to deliver the blend of warmth, humour and veterinary drama that has helped make All Creatures Great and Small such an enduring 5 success.
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