Happy Valley

A couple of years back, I stumbled across the British series HAPPY VALLEY. At the time, only two seasons had been produced, each containing six episodes. Largely unknown to those here in the States, it was a relentlessly unnerving, bleak, and disturbing tale of woeful circumstances. It is the type of production in which nothing seems to go well for a single person involved, and ultimately, feels exceedingly likely that it will end without any joy being derived by anyone. Sounds great, doesn’t it?!

The third and final season of the series is now available to stream through AMC+ and AcornTV through Amazon. With only 18 episodes in total between the three seasons, it isn’t a huge commitment time-wise, and features a riveting story, beautiful, haunting scenery, and brilliant performances by the entire cast.

In Halifax, West Yorkshire, sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) brings her no-nonsense form of justice to all of those who cross her path. Admittedly, things have been difficult for her since the passing of her daughter, Becky. She lives with her sister Clare (Siobhan Finneran) who is a recovering addict, and her grandson Ryan (Rhys Connah) who was born under very distressing circumstances. Ryan is constantly getting in trouble at school, which makes life hard enough, but when Catherine discovers that Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton) has been released from prison, life becomes instantly more complicated. Tommy is the reason that Becky is no longer alive, and is also the father of Ryan, though the young boy has absolutely no idea who he is.

Catherine’s seething hatred of Tommy Lee Royce (bad guys always must be known by three names, you know) is the fuel that keeps the entire show burning, but there is plenty more going on. Throughout each of the three seasons, there is a crime that needs to be solved by Catherine. Each are engaging, but when you have the undercurrent of the ongoing feud between the sergeant and the heathen, it is absolutely riveting.

At six episodes apiece, each season of Happy Valley is meticulously crafted and features very few wasted moments. The premiere season was released in 2014, the second came out in 2016, and the final season was just released last year. The gaps in between seasons allowed Ryan to grow (as was also the case for Connah who portrayed him) and in many ways, this was essential to the resolution of the series.

Despite its cheery name, HAPPY VALLEY can be very difficult to watch, and is frequently disturbing. While we never are meant to feel the same sort of reluctant admiration that we did for Tony Soprano, Walter White, or Marty Byrd, Tommy Lee Royce is a magnetic force on the screen. Norton’s portrayal is complex and harrowing, crafting a monster that is beyond redemption and whose actions are laid bare for the audience to consume. By witnessing his atrocities, there can be no grey area. This man is evil incarnate.

As tortured officer Cawood, Lancashire is a revelation. For her, the hits keep on coming from one episode to the next, and there is rarely a time in which things are going smoothly for her. Aside from the complexities of raising a child that is seen as a pariah and abomination by many, she must then endure the torturous realization that she will never really be rid of Royce. Once he discovers that he has a son, he will stop at nothing to be involved in the boy’s life. Catherine is more than willing to risk her life to ensure that he stays away. Lancashire embodies Cawood so completely that she comes across as one of the genuine and believable characters you are likely to see on television. Her pain, fear, fury, determination, depression, and drive are palpable in every scene, and you long for her to reach a “happily ever after” that truly never seems to be in the cards. Her performance alone is worth watching the full 18 episode run, but luckily, it’s just one of the many aspects that makes HAPPY VALLEY an absolute must see.

HAPPY VALLEY- A

Now streaming on AMC+ and AcornT

Brian Miller