Happy Valley (2014)
A landmark BBC One crime drama set in West Yorkshire, following a resilient police sergeant confronting grief, crime, and a dangerous nemesis across three compelling seasons.
Happy Valley - Series Information
- First Air Year: 2014
- Last Air Year: 2023
- Created by: Sally Wainwright
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 59 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 18
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 29, 2014 (United States - TV-MA), April 29, 2014 (United Kingdom - 15), April 29, 2014 (Germany - 12), April 29, 2014 (France - 18), April 29, 2014 (Australia - MA 15+), April 29, 2014 (Brazil - 16), April 29, 2014 (Spain - 18), April 29, 2014 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: Red Production Company, Lookout Point, BBC Worldwide Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Happy Valley - Plot
Happy Valley is a dark, funny, multi-layered thriller revolving around the personal and professional life of Catherine, a dedicated, experienced, hard-working copper. She is also a bereaved mother who looks after her orphaned grandchild.
Happy Valley - Trailer
See the tension and heart of the series unfold in the official trailer:
Where to Watch Happy Valley
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Happy Valley - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Sally Wainwright
Main Cast
- Sarah Lancashire
- Siobhan Finneran
- James Norton
- Rhys Connah
- Charlie Murphy
- Shane Zaza
- George Costigan
- Ishia Bennison
- Rick Warden
- Karl Davies
Executive Producers
- Nicola Shindler
- Sally Wainwright
Happy Valley - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Happy Valley?
Happy Valley stars Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood, Siobhan Finneran as her sister Clare Cartwright, and James Norton as the menacing Tommy Lee Royce. The ensemble also includes Rhys Connah, Charlie Murphy, George Costigan, Shane Zaza, Ishia Bennison, Rick Warden, and Karl Davies.
Is Happy Valley worth watching?
Absolutely. Happy Valley holds near-perfect scores on Rotten Tomatoes and is widely regarded as one of the finest British dramas ever made. Critics praise Sarah Lancashire's towering performance, Sally Wainwright's sharp writing, and the series' rare ability to blend dark humour with genuine emotional weight.
What is Happy Valley about?
Happy Valley follows Catherine Cawood, a tough and compassionate Yorkshire police sergeant raising her orphaned grandson while haunted by her daughter's death. The series weaves crime investigation with deeply personal drama, exploring themes of grief, justice, and resilience in a deceptively picturesque West Yorkshire valley.
How many seasons does Happy Valley have?
Happy Valley ran for three seasons, each comprising six episodes, for a total of 18 main episodes. Series 1 aired in 2014, Series 2 in 2016, and the concluding Series 3 in 2023. The show also includes two special episodes collected under Season 0.
Is Happy Valley based on a true story?
Happy Valley is not based on a specific true story. Creator Sally Wainwright drew on the real landscape and culture of West Yorkshire's Calder Valley to ground the drama authentically, but the characters and central plot are entirely fictional, crafted to explore universal themes of trauma and resilience.
Where can I stream Happy Valley in the US?
Happy Valley is available to stream in the United States on BritBox, BritBox via Amazon Channel, BritBox via Apple TV Channel, Philo, and Spectrum On Demand. It can also be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home, or borrowed for free on Hoopla.
Did Happy Valley win any awards?
Yes. Happy Valley earned numerous prestigious awards, including multiple BAFTA wins. Sarah Lancashire won the BAFTA for Leading Actress for her role as Catherine Cawood, and the series received BAFTA recognition for Best Drama Series. It is considered one of the most decorated British dramas of its era.
How does Happy Valley end in Series 3?
Series 3 delivers a long-awaited final confrontation between Catherine Cawood and Tommy Lee Royce. The finale resolves their nine-year conflict in a dramatic, emotionally charged conclusion that also addresses Ryan's future. Creator Sally Wainwright crafted an ending widely praised for its courage, honesty, and thematic completeness.
More About Happy Valley
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