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Season 1 – Happy Valley

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Happy Valley 2014 Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Catherine Cawood's personal life may be a tragic mess, but that does not stop her from being the best police sergeant her small West Yorkshire town could ask for.
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Happy Valley — Season 1

Happy Valley — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Dark, edgy, and surprisingly suspenseful, Happy Valley dispenses some of the more oddly liberating violence on television.

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Critics Reviews

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David Renshaw New York Magazine/Vulture There are Happy Valleys all up and down Britain's countryside, few of which ever get their stories told in this way. Mar 24, 2020 Full Review Alan Sepinwall HitFix Happy Valley is so effective at what it sets out to do, and so neat in fitting all its pieces together (up to the way the story's climax evokes a much milder incident from early in the series). Rated: A- Nov 3, 2014 Full Review Andrew Billen Times (UK) Sally Wainwright is television's great north-country storyteller. Rated: 3/5 Sep 24, 2014 Full Review Patrick Sproull Den of Geek Happy Valley is a delicious concoction; it balances its dry humour with some heartfelt moments and there's a strong lead in flinty Catherine. Mar 24, 2020 Full Review Louisa Mellor Den of Geek Happy Valley may be an ironic title, but there is solace in the bleakness, the drama tells us, and it's to be found in building bridges with family, as Catherine and Daniel did in that penultimate scene. Mar 24, 2020 Full Review David Butcher Radio Times Every minor character bursts with complicated, convincing life. Mar 24, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (59) audience reviews
Matthew S This is one of the best british crime dramas I have seen to date. The acting is great. The writing is equally excellent and leaves the viewer in a state of suspense and excitement which never fades. I highly recommend this series to viewers who enjoy police and crime dramas. Although the main character's accent is very strong and takes a bit of time to get used to, subtitles solve this for the first few episodes and then you'll grasp what she is saying and get used to the heavy british accent. I can't think of another series that had such great storytelling since Bloodline. This is an absolute gem. Must see this! If you have the ability to binge this series it is even better. The character arcs grow stronger through each season and never stale. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/04/24 Full Review Michael T One of the best British shows in recent years, Sarah Lancashire is superb. Do not pass up on watching Happy Valley Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/12/24 Full Review Blaine S One of the best shows of all time. Not over the top with some of the best characters on television. The actresses are on their game for all three seasons and the antagonist is so good on the physical and psychological level, you hate him and feel for him at the same time. All the characters are morally grey not good or bad, but human. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/10/24 Full Review Nigel F Sarah Lancashire at her absolute best. Gritty, dark and excellent 👍 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/24 Full Review Chet T Just watched season 1. I generally enjoy British Crime dramas. "Time" is also very good with Stephen Graham (only 3 episodes). Happy Valley is very well done. The characters are well developed. The lead, Sarah Lancashire is excellent. The other cast accent the plot well, some are very good (Steve Pemberton for example). The villain in season 1 (James Norton) really makes you believe the character. Overall I would say 4.5 out of 5. It's a slow burn bc of the number of episodes so you need to be patient to get the full payoff. Well done! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/05/24 Full Review Chavel D Binged watched all 3 seasons over the Holidays. Excellent show. I regret not having watching it when it 1st came out. Sarah Lancashire is awesome. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/01/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Happy Valley — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Apr 29, 2014 Sergeant Catherine Cawood's world stops when the man who drove her daughter to suicide is released from prison. Details Episode 2 Aired May 6, 2014 Catherine's search for Tommy gains momentum when she receives a tip-off regarding his whereabouts; Helen absorbs the shock of hearing that Ann has been abducted. Details Episode 3 Aired May 13, 2014 Tommy brutally takes control of a situation when PC Kirsten McAskill pulls him and Lewis over; his actions devastate Catherine and the entire Yorkshire police force. Details Episode 4 Aired May 20, 2014 Catherine and Tommy finally come face-to-face when he discovers he's a father; a more sinister discovery leaves Catherine fighting for her life. Details Episode 5 Aired May 27, 2014 Catherine sinks into a deep depression as she learns that Tommy is still at large; the net finally closes in on Kevin. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 3, 2014 Things get tense at Catherine's birthday party when a drunk Daniel reveals a different version of past events with Becky; Catherine's fears grow when she learns that Tommy has been spending time with Ryan. Details
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Season Info

Director
Euros Lyn, Tim Fywell, Sally Wainwright
Executive Producer
Sally Wainwright
Screenwriter
Sally Wainwright
Network
BBC
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Apr 29, 2014