Is Happy Valley based on a true story?
HAPPY Valley has been thrilling fans since it burst on to the scene back in 2014.
But the fans of the gritty show have often wondered if the BBC One series is based on a true story.
Is Happy Valley a true story?
Happy Valley follows hard-nosed police officer Catherine Cawood, who is left tackling issues involving her late daughter’s rapist Tommy Lee Royce.
The show kicked off in 2014, with a second season released in 2016.
After a long break, the BBC One show returned for a third and final series in 2023, with an even grittier plot than ever before.
Season three follows Catherine as she discovers the remains of a murder victim in a drained reservoir.
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The incident set off a series of unfortunate events that led her to Tommy, the father of her grandson Ryan, and her late daughter's rapist
However we can confirm that Happy Valley is NOT based on real life events and the storyline is completely fictional.
Is Happy Valley based on a book?
Happy Valley is not based on book, and is an original show for the BBC.
The hit series is written by multi-Bafta award winning screenwriter Sally Wainwright.
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Speaking about the hit series and how she came up with the title of the show, Sally told the BBC: "So Happy Valley... I always work closely with police advisers, who are old police officers who have worked in the area, and one of them told me that is what they call the Valley because of issues with drugs.
"For me it reflected the show. It’s dark, but it has also got a lot of humour in it."
Who is in the cast of Happy Valley?
Happy Valley has an incredible cast of the cream of British actors.
The line-up includes:
- Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood
- James Norton as Tommy Lee Royce
- Rhys Connah as Ryan Cawood
- Siobhan Finneran as Clare
- Ishia Bennison as Joyce
- Shane Zaza as Shaf
- Chord Melodic as Sledge
- Mete Dursun as Gorkem
- Con O’Neil las Neil Ackroyd
- George Costigan as Nevison Gallagher
- Charlie Murphy as Ann Gallagher
- Derek Riddell as Richard Cawood
- Karl Davies as Daniel Cawood
- Susan Lynch as Alison Garrs
- Rick Warden as Mike Taylor
- Vincent Franklin as Andy Shepherd
How can I watch Happy Valley?
Happy Valley can be watched Sunday nights on BBC One at 9pm.
The last ever episode will air on Sunday, February 5, 2023.
You can binge-watch the first two seasons of Happy Valley on now.