• Home
• Happy Valley

Page

Happy Valley

• Summary
• How to watch
• Seasons
• News & features

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Happy Valley

Save

• 2014

• Crime/detective
• Drama

• 15

Summary

Crime drama by Sally Wainwright, with Sarah Lancashire as a police sergeant in the Yorkshire valleys battling her own demons when she becomes involved in the hunt for a kidnapped girl.

Ad

Powered By

IMDB

Review

David Brown

Browbeaten police sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) may have made her debut in 2014, but amid the crowded ranks of TV law enforcers, she remains one of the most emotionally complex and vividly realised. It helps that Happy Valley is as much a gritty family saga as a crime drama, and while the actions of Cawood’s antagonist Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton) can make for gruelling viewing, writer Sally Wainwright never loses sight of the humanity in her characters – even the most morally reprehensible.

In the Yorkshire community that remains her beat across three series, Cawood finds no shortage of danger in a town that, as the theme tune reminds us, is certainly troubled.

imdb-square

8.5/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

• BBC iPlayer
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameCatherine CawoodSarah LancashireClare CartwrightSiobhan FinneranTommy Lee RoyceJames Norton

Crew

rolenameDirectorSally Wainwright

Seasons

Latest season

Season 3

Season 2

Season 1

Special episodes

News & features about Happy Valley

• 
  
  Michelle Keegan's "complex" new ITV drama compared to Happy Valley by producer
  
  Happy Valley fans, listen up.

• 
  
  EastEnders, Happy Valley and Wicked icons confirmed for SNL UK in coming weeks
  
  Danny Dyer, James Norton and Cynthia Erivo will take turns hosting across October.

  Ad

• 
  
  Happy Valley icon Sarah Lancashire confirmed for "uttterly compelling" witch drama on Netflix
  
  Lancashire will lead the cast of Witch Hunt, which comes from The Split creator Abi Morgan.

• 
  
  David Tennant and Happy Valley favourite star in first-look trailer for Time season 3
  
  The third season will tell a new story and is set in a Young Offenders Institution.

• 
  
  Happy Valley legend James Norton goes shirtless as Father Christmas in new festive M&S advert
  
  The Happy Valley actor stars as an incognito Santa alongside Lucy Punch in the 2026 festive campaign, with music from Katherine Jenkins.

• 
  
  David Tennant and Happy Valley favourite star in dramatic first look at BBC's Time season 3
  
  The new episodes look poised to be another hard-hitting watch.

• 
  
  Doctor Who and Happy Valley stars confirmed for new "high-stakes" BBC legal drama as first look unveiled
  
  Counsels will air on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland in early 2027.

  Ad

• 
  
  Christopher Eccleston and Happy Valley legend star in first look at all-new psychological cult drama
  
  Unchosen is coming to Netflix soon.

• 
  
  Death in Paradise season 15 confirms special guest stars – from Happy Valley to EastEnders icons
  
  From Happy Valley to EastEnders, season 15 of Death in Paradise features quite the array of guest stars.

• 
  
  Siobhan Finneran on taking the lead in Protection – and memories of Happy Valley
  
  Finneran spoke with this week's issue of Radio Times magazine.

• 
  
  Happy Valley creator's riotous new drama series finally gets premiere date confirmed
  
  The new Sally Wainwright series is dropping this month.

• 
  
  Happy Valley and Gavin & Stacey favourites star in exclusive first look at emotional new British drama with tech twist
  
  Chatlines is described as "Black Mirror meets The Fault in Our Stars".

• 
  
  Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence get modern reimagining from Happy Valley producer
  
  This will be the first time the duo are on screen since 2015's Partners in Crime.

• 
  
  Happy Valley's Siobhan Finneran in new look at thriller with Katherine Kelly
  
  The new ITV thriller is all about the witness protection system.

• 
  
  Happy Valley and Baby Reindeer stars join Bella Ramsey in Sunny Dancer
  
  Neil Patrick Harris has also been added to the cast of the comedy-drama film.

• 
  
  Happy Valley’s Sally Wainwright divulges emotional personal inspiration behind Riot Women - as cast of characters explained
  
  What’s the best way to deal with middle-aged menopausal rage? Form a punk band, says Sally Wainwright.

• 
  
  Happy Valley's Sarah Lancashire channels hard-edged cop in hilarious ad
  
  Lancashire stars in a new advert for Yorkshire Tea – and it's just like Catherine Cawood is back!

• 
  
  The Stolen Girl star worked with ex-police officer who Happy Valley’s Catherine was based on
  
  Bronagh Waugh plays DI Shona Sinclair in the new Disney Plus thriller.

• 
  
  Gemma Arterton in first look at Secret Service – starring Doctor Who and Happy Valley actors
  
  The upcoming series is adapted from the novel by ITV News anchor Tom Bradby.

• 
  
  Happy Valley's James Norton confirmed to lead Wavewalker adaptation from Adolescence writer
  
  The four-part series will be based on Suzanne Heywood's bestselling memoir.

• 
  
  Too Much star didn't know about Happy Valley when shooting surprising homage scene
  
  Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe on that comical Sarah Lancashire tribute.

• 
  
  Sarah Lancashire's Black Doves role wastes her Happy Valley momentum
  
  Reed is cool, calm and collected – but also a little dull. *SPOILERS FOR BLACK DOVES*

• 
  
  Happy Valley and Line of Duty stars' thriller Protection confirms ITV air date
  
  Siobhan Finneran leads the new series as a police officer seeking redemption.

• 
  
  James Norton reflects on what Happy Valley meant to him and his career
  
  The actor also breaks down what it was like to film the memorable climatic scene with Sarah Lancashire.

See more about Happy Valley

Ad

Ad

Ad