Happy Valley: Season Three
It’s been seven years since viewers have spent time in the Calder Valley with no-nonsense Sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire). However, fans of the hit BBC drama can now rejoice, as Happy Valley has returned for its third and final season. Picking up seven years from where we left off, Catherine is counting down the days to retirement and her grandson Ryan (Rhys Connah) has just turned 16. But when Catherine discovers the human remains of a gangland victim in a reservoir, she commences a chain of reactions which lead back to her longstanding nemesis Tommy (James Norton), who’s been transferred to a nearby prison. Meanwhile, a subplot involving domestic abuse and a drug-dealing pharmacist (Amit Shah) seems to be connected to the grander investigation.
Despite its extended absence from our screens, the opening episode proves that Sally Wainwright’s show hasn’t lost an ounce of its brilliance. Lancashire is as phenomenal as ever and leads the charge with a pitch-perfect performance that balances the serious emotional stakes with a warm sense of humour. It’s always been the human drama underneath the gritty police procedural that’s made this series notable, and Lancashire is what holds it all together. Alongside the familiar faces, Shah, Mollie Winnard and Mark Stanley round out the cast, each of whom is a worthy addition to the prestigious programme.
The opening episode doesn’t pull any punches either. The show is known for covering hard-hitting themes, with season three looking to be no different. This time Wainwright shines a spotlight on domestic abuse, a topic that’s introduced in a frighteningly intense sequence that escalates at an alarming pace. Wainwright pushes the content far enough that it’s shocking without being exploitative, whilst opening the door for further discussion in future episodes.
Happy Valley makes a spectacular return with an opening episode that will have viewers hooked from the opening scene. From here, the intrigue and stakes only build until audiences will be left wanting more when the credits roll on a gripping cliffhanger.
Andrew Murray
Happy Valley: Season Three is released on BBC One and BBC iPlayer 1st January 2023.
Watch the trailer for Happy Valley: Season Three here:
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