Happy Valley returning for third and final series

27 October 2021

'Happy Valley' is returning to the BBC for a third and final series.

Sarah Lancashire

Creator and writer Sally Wainwright has penned six new episodes of the hit drama, and the upcoming season will see Sarah Lancashire returning as Sergeant Catherine Cawood alongside James Norton (Tommy Lee Royce) and Siobhan Finneran (Clare Cartwright).

In a statement, Sally said: "I'm delighted to find myself back in the world of Catherine Cawood and her family and colleagues for the final instalment of the 'Happy Valley' trilogy.

"It’s been wonderful to see the lasting impact this series has had on audiences all over the world.

"I’m thrilled that Sarah, James and Siobhan are back on board for what I hope will be the best season yet, and thrilled once again to be working with the wonderful team at Lookout Point, the BBC and our new colleagues at AMC.”

Sarah simply added: "It's time to let the dog see the rabbit."

While James commented: "To take on Tommy one final time is a wonderful and daunting privilege, and something I’ve been looking forward to since we wrapped the last series, six years ago.

"I’m so excited to be working with the insanely talented Sally and Sarah again. Thinking we should all go on one last barge holiday, for old times’ sake.”

As revealed by the BBC, the final season will see Catherine discover "the remains of a gangland murder victim in a drained reservoir", which sparks a series of events leading her back to Tommy.

Her grandson Ryan, now 16, is still living with her, but he is getting his own ideas about the relationship he wants with the man she is refusing to acknowledge as his father.

She's also "on the cusp of retirement" as she battles "the seemingly never-ending problem of drugs in the valley and those who supply them".

Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, said: “When Happy Valley first launched on the BBC in 2014, it changed the landscape of crime drama completely.

"Sally has crafted a magnificent conclusion that is sure to make this third and final series one of television’s most highly anticipated and unmissable moments."

Filming is set to take place "in and around" West Yorkshire in 2022, while the final series of 'Happy Valley' will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with viewers in US and Canada able to watch via AMC Networks.