Watch Happy Valley

TV-MA
2014
2 Seasons
8.5 (54,140)

Happy Valley is a British crime drama series that revolves around a strong-willed policewoman named Catherine Cawood, played by Sarah Lancashire. The show follows her struggles as she tries to maintain her personal and professional life while being haunted by a dark past. Set amidst the beautiful yet remote landscape of the Calder Valley, the show provides an intense and thrilling experience against a backdrop of gorgeous scenery. The series first aired on BBC One in 2014 and has since become one of the most critically acclaimed British crime dramas ever made. Aside from Lancashire, the show features a talented ensemble cast that includes Siobhan Finneran, Charlie Murphy, and James Norton in key roles. The show consists of two seasons, each six episodes long, and was created by Sally Wainwright, who is best known for her work on other popular British dramas like Last Tango in Halifax. The story is set in West Yorkshire and follows Catherine Cawood, a police sergeant in a small town in the Calder Valley. Her family life has been disrupted by the suicide of her daughter, which has led to a rift with her ex-husband, who is still grieving. Meanwhile, she also has to take care of her grandson, who was born following the suicide of her daughter. The tension runs high as she tries to balance her responsibilities and her job while dealing with a dark past that continues to haunt her. The show skillfully combines the elements of both personal and professional conflicts, creating a story that is both heart-wrenching and intense. Throughout the series, Cawood faces different types of crimes, such as drug dealing, kidnapping, and murder. One of the key themes that run throughout the series is the role that the police play in dealing with the underbelly of society - a world that is often brutal and unforgiving. As Catherine works to solve these crimes, she forms alliances and confronts some of the most twisted and dangerous people she's ever encountered. In season 1, the story focuses on a small-time criminal, Tommy Lee Royce, played by James Norton, who becomes the main target of Catherine's investigation after he's involved in the kidnapping of a teenage girl. As she gets closer to Tommy, she realizes that there's more to his story than meets the eye, and their relationship becomes increasingly complex. Season 2 takes the story to the next level, as Catherine faces an even greater challenge in the form of the villainous Royce's mother, a woman who's almost as dangerous as her son. Once again, Sally Wainwright manages to create an unpredictable and gripping story that keeps the viewer glued to the screen. One of the most impressive things about Happy Valley is the level of realism that the show manages to achieve. The series depicts the challenges of the life of a police officer in a small town accurately, illustrating the complexities that come with dealing with different types of crime. There's also a strong emphasis on the psychological impact that working in law enforcement can have on a person, which is handled with great sensitivity. At the center of it all is the formidable Catherine Cawood. Sarah Lancashire's performance as Catherine is sensational. She nails the character's vulnerabilities and strengths, bringing a level of authenticity to the role that is rarely seen on television. Her character's journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and it's impossible not to root for her as she battles adversity at every turn. Overall, Happy Valley is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas. The show's ability to balance personal and professional conflicts, coupled with an outstanding cast and a well-crafted story, make this series a standout in the crowded genre. Its ability to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat and emotionally invested in the story is a testament to the creativity of the writers and the skill of the actors involved. Whether you're a fan of British television or simply love a good mystery, Happy Valley is a series that you won't soon forget.

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Seasons

2 1

6. Episode 6

March 15, 2016

Catherine and Shaf call in at Far Sunderland farm to visit Alison and Daryl, but discover a scene of carnage when they enter the building, with Alison slumped on the dining table covered in blood having taken an overdose. Meanwhile, Andy and Jodie begin to suspect that the person who killed Vicky Fleming could be someone on the team and as the investigation heads towards a conclusion, John's torment increases, leading him to take drastic measures to avoid the consequences of his actions.

5. Episode 5

March 8, 2016

Daniel suspects somebody at school might be responsible for Ryan's new-found interest in Tommy, and tries to explain that he wasn't really a dad to him, while, despite Sean protesting his innocence, Jodie and John receive permission to charge him with all of the murders. However, delight at the developments is tempered when another body is found in the early hours, and Daryl wakes a stunned Alison in the middle of the night and confesses to murder, leading to dramatic scenes at the breakfast table.

4. Episode 4

March 1, 2016

Sean becomes prime suspect when Leonie is raped, and the authorities believe he could be responsible for the string of murders Andy and the team have been investigating. Meanwhile, John has to think fast when he's asked why his number was on Vicky's phone, and a gift for Ryan on his tenth birthday reminds Catherine that danger may be closer than she thinks. Elsewhere, Daryl takes action when he is confronted by the three lads who have been bullying him.

3. Episode 3

February 23, 2016

Tommy urges Frances to go further with her attempts at making Catherine's life a misery, and a therapist tries to understand why Catherine attended Tommy Lee Royce's mother's funeral. Meanwhile, John begins to sweat when a new body is discovered.

2. Episode 2

February 16, 2016

Catherine arrives home with Ilinka, an emaciated Croatian woman who has been rescued after being trafficked and enslaved for the past four years. Meanwhile, John's panic over Vicky's threat spills out into his home life.

1. Episode 1

February 9, 2016

Eighteen months have passed, and Catherine is spinning plates at work and at home, where Ryan approaches his tenth birthday. Tommy, serving a life sentence in a high-security prison, finds a way of keeping a watchful eye over Ryan from behind bars, while Catherine becomes a murder suspect after finding a dead body.

Description

The series first aired on BBC One in 2014 and has since become one of the most critically acclaimed British crime dramas ever made. Aside from Lancashire, the show features a talented ensemble cast that includes Siobhan Finneran, Charlie Murphy, and James Norton in key roles. The show consists of two seasons, each six episodes long, and was created by Sally Wainwright, who is best known for her work on other popular British dramas like Last Tango in Halifax.

The story is set in West Yorkshire and follows Catherine Cawood, a police sergeant in a small town in the Calder Valley. Her family life has been disrupted by the suicide of her daughter, which has led to a rift with her ex-husband, who is still grieving. Meanwhile, she also has to take care of her grandson, who was born following the suicide of her daughter. The tension runs high as she tries to balance her responsibilities and her job while dealing with a dark past that continues to haunt her.

The show skillfully combines the elements of both personal and professional conflicts, creating a story that is both heart-wrenching and intense. Throughout the series, Cawood faces different types of crimes, such as drug dealing, kidnapping, and murder. One of the key themes that run throughout the series is the role that the police play in dealing with the underbelly of society - a world that is often brutal and unforgiving.

As Catherine works to solve these crimes, she forms alliances and confronts some of the most twisted and dangerous people she's ever encountered. In season 1, the story focuses on a small-time criminal, Tommy Lee Royce, played by James Norton, who becomes the main target of Catherine's investigation after he's involved in the kidnapping of a teenage girl. As she gets closer to Tommy, she realizes that there's more to his story than meets the eye, and their relationship becomes increasingly complex.

Season 2 takes the story to the next level, as Catherine faces an even greater challenge in the form of the villainous Royce's mother, a woman who's almost as dangerous as her son. Once again, Sally Wainwright manages to create an unpredictable and gripping story that keeps the viewer glued to the screen.

One of the most impressive things about Happy Valley is the level of realism that the show manages to achieve. The series depicts the challenges of the life of a police officer in a small town accurately, illustrating the complexities that come with dealing with different types of crime. There's also a strong emphasis on the psychological impact that working in law enforcement can have on a person, which is handled with great sensitivity.

At the center of it all is the formidable Catherine Cawood. Sarah Lancashire's performance as Catherine is sensational. She nails the character's vulnerabilities and strengths, bringing a level of authenticity to the role that is rarely seen on television. Her character's journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and it's impossible not to root for her as she battles adversity at every turn.

Overall, Happy Valley is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas. The show's ability to balance personal and professional conflicts, coupled with an outstanding cast and a well-crafted story, make this series a standout in the crowded genre. Its ability to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat and emotionally invested in the story is a testament to the creativity of the writers and the skill of the actors involved. Whether you're a fan of British television or simply love a good mystery, Happy Valley is a series that you won't soon forget.

Happy Valley is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (26 episodes). The series first aired on August 20, 2014.

Where to Watch Happy Valley

Happy Valley is available for streaming on the Netflix website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Happy Valley on demand at Google Play and Apple TV.