Exciting news for All Creatures Great and Small fans – the show has been renewed. Following the recent sixth outing (and ahead of the new Christmas special), the hit 5 series will be back for seasons 7 and 8.

As the comedy-drama has done in its previous instalments, each new season will comprise six episodes, while the fan-favourite show has also been recommissioned for new Christmas specials.

5’s commissioning editor Greg Barnett praised the series – which follows vets in the Yorkshire Dales in the early-to-mid 20th century – as “a jewel in 5’s drama crown” that “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,” he added. “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, added: “We frequently receive letters from viewers about how the show has brought joy, comfort and relief in challenging times.

Channel 5

“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.”

Channel 5

All Creatures Great and Small stars Rachel Shenton, Nicholas Ralph and Samuel West, and is based on the books by author James Herriot.

The most recent season moved events to the end of World War Two, with the likes of Hollyoaks‘ Lucy-Jo Hudson, The Dead of Winter‘s Gaia Wise and The Brutalist‘s Jonathan Hyde joining the cast.

All Creatures Great and Small airs and streams on 5. The first two seasons also stream on Netflix.