SMASH-HIT BBC drama Happy Valley will return for a third and final series with filming set to take place in 2022.
Sally Wainwright’s multi-BAFTA award winning, smash hit will see Sarah Lancashire return to her iconic role of Sergeant Catherine Cawood for six new episodes, in the final chapter of the Happy Valley story.
Most recently airing on BBC One in 2016, Happy Valley attracted an average audience of 9.3 million. The first two series each won the BAFTA Television awards for both Drama Series and Writing: Drama for Sally Wainwright, with Sarah Lancashire winning the BAFTA Television award for Leading Actress for series two.
James Norton and Siobhan Finneran will also return as Catherine’s nemesis, the murderer and sex-offender Tommy Lee Royce, and Catherine’s sister, the recovering addict Clare Cartwright, respectively.
When Catherine discovers the remains of a gangland murder victim in a drained reservoir it sparks a chain of events that unwittingly leads her straight back to Royce. Her grandson Ryan is now sixteen and still living with Catherine, but he has ideas of his own about what kind of relationship he wants to have with the man Catherine refuses to acknowledge as his father.
Still battling the seemingly never-ending problem of drugs in the valley and those who supply them, Catherine is on the cusp of retirement.
Hailing the return of the series, Sarah Lancashire said: “It’s time to let the dog see the rabbit.”
Wainwright said she was delighted with the news:
“It’s been wonderful to see the lasting impact this series has had on audiences all over the world. I’m thrilled Sarah, James and Siobhan are back on board for what I hope will be the best season yet,” she said.
Filming will take place in and around West Yorkshire in 2022.
Happy Valley series three will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The first two series of Happy Valley are available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer now.
