Sarah Lancashire has insisted 'Happy Valley' won't return despite a successful night at the National Television Awards.
Sarah Lancashire doesn't expect more in the future
The BBC One favourite - which was created by Sally Wainwright - won the Returning Drama prize, while Sarah herself landed the Drama Performance gong for her portrayal of Catherine Cawood in the show, as well as being honoured with the Special Recognition Award on Tuesday (05.09.23) night.
Asked if the award show success could extend the drama beyond its third and final season - which aired earlier this year - she told press: "No because the story's complete.
"It's a story told as a trilogy, which has been a great way to tell a story, really...
"The danger is to carry on and carry on and it somehow loses its potency but I think this way, we left it on top."
Although fans have been clamouring for more since the show ended earlier this year, creator Sally has made it clear that she and Sarah were in agreement.
She told Radio Times magazine earlier this year: "We made a definite decision that this was going to be the final season.
"Just because it’s been successful, we weren’t going to let it drift on until it became a pale shadow of itself."
Sarah wiped away tears as she took to the stage at London's O2 to accept the accolade following an introduction from Sir Ian McKellen and a compilation video featuring highlights of her career and tributes from past co-stars including William Roache, Dawn French, Nicola Walker, James Norton, and Siobhan Finneran.
To chants of 'Sarah! Sarah!', she emotionally said: "You have no idea what it's like to have so many lovely things said about you by so many people you love and admire...
"I have been so very fortunate to spend my working life doing a job that I love, made possible by brilliantly talented people - producers, directors, writers, actors - and I am exceptionally lucky to have enjoyed every moment of it."
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