1972 was Emmerdale Farm's 1st year. Creator Kevin Laffan based the idea of the show on a real Yorkshire village called Ammerdale. Production was overseen by executive producer Peter Holmans and producer David Goddard.

20 episodes were broadcast during the year. Major storylines included the funeral of Jacob Sugden and the return of his son Jack who took over the titular Emmerdale Farm, Henry Wilks buying the adjoining property of Emmerdale Farm - Inglebrook House sparking a feud between him and the Sugdens, Peggy Skilbeck discovering she's pregnant with her husband Matt's twin children and Jack's affair with Marian Wilks.