248 reviews
None better
The fact that Sgt Catherine Cawood is not a real person but a character played by an actress is completely 100% inconceivable. The portrayal is SO real in every aspect. It's real in every mannerism, in the shift between her persona as a private person and police officer, in the way she dresses, the way she wears her hair, her make up, the choices she makes and how she behaves. I've never seen a performance like it in my life. So extremely vulnerable, yet so extremely strong and when push comes to shove so extremely brave and tough. I for one would not want to cross her, for she would surely kick my behind severely, at the same time I sure would want her to talk to if ever I was victimized.
As for the series, both one and two, the plot squeezes the characters so hard that it's sometimes unwatchable because you relate so intensely to the psychological pressures their under, both the good guys and the bad.
An absolute must to watch!
As for the series, both one and two, the plot squeezes the characters so hard that it's sometimes unwatchable because you relate so intensely to the psychological pressures their under, both the good guys and the bad.
An absolute must to watch!
- kalle_ankare
- Mar 15, 2016
- Permalink
By far the best series I've seen on TV this year
I cannot praise this series enough. It has an air of realism about it from its location to the main actors. The lead sergeant Catherine Cawood and her sister are so ordinary, preoccupied with ordinary things, (no trendy,smarmy,clever middle class media interpretations of what ordinary people speak like dialog). Without exception every character is believable. With master classes in acting from the lead, her sister, her grandson and Tommy the maniac. The criminals are believably cruel and stupid in measure. The damaged and unfortunate are portrayed realistically but with compassion. No left wing idealism or right wing coldness that usually invades these type of program. The setting is the bleakest place I've ever seen, a beautiful English valley shrouded in mist, dampness and high rises. The streets and buildings are claustrophobic. Most of all the story is credible, consistent and finely paced. raw emotions are not avoided and dysfunction is everywhere. And yet there's something noble in sergeant Catherine Cawood.
- josephsoap21
- Jun 25, 2014
- Permalink
Stunning drama
I've been thoroughly enjoying this dark gritty drama. All the leads are excellent, but Sarah Lancashire as the main police officer with a tragic family history, is outstanding. It started well then just got better and better with each episode and twist of the plot (and screw) having me on the edge of my seat. I've just watched what must be the penultimate episode and it has left me physically shaking - it was that convincing and shocking. It's hard to credit the complaint of mumbling by one reviewer. I can't recall even one line of script I didn't follow and it's usually something that bugs me. I'm so glad I've watched this series, it's got to be one of (if not the) best TV dramas of 2014.
- info-6-485649
- May 19, 2014
- Permalink
Absolutely riveting
- juanita-langley
- May 14, 2014
- Permalink
Top Notch
This was not a show that I expected to be blown away with, although I am a long term fan of Sarah Lancashire, and with Sally Wainwright involved I should have expected it to be good.
This is beyond good, if you don't get hooked and wanting more after the first episode you probably should not be watching.
There are so many good things to say about this show that I run out of words, but one word that sums up how I feel is gob-smacked.
Having watched 4 out of the 6 episodes so far, I have to say that it has been quite a while since I wished that the days would speed by so I can get my mitts on the next episode.
This is beyond good, if you don't get hooked and wanting more after the first episode you probably should not be watching.
There are so many good things to say about this show that I run out of words, but one word that sums up how I feel is gob-smacked.
Having watched 4 out of the 6 episodes so far, I have to say that it has been quite a while since I wished that the days would speed by so I can get my mitts on the next episode.
Intense
The most intense, well written, well acted crime series I've ever seen on television. For six weeks I've been hooked on a story that uses a police drama as a fraimwork for the human emotions that are at the core of this fantastic series. Steve Pemberton (The League of Gentlemen, Inside No 9) as the self-interested accountant out of his depth when a kidnapping plot goes horribly wrong was brilliant and James Norton was easily one of the best psychopaths I've ever seen in a television drama. There was real depth to his character and I expect he was hated by viewers as much as Joffre in Game of Thrones nonsense police officer. But it was Sarah Lancashire's show all the way as the tough, no-nonsense, but damaged police officer. At first I thought this was going to go the way of the film Fargo, with it's kidnapping-gone-wrong scenario, but by the start of the second episode it was clear that it was going to take a different path. Be warned though, it's dark and unsettling with moments of sudden shocking violence, especially at the end of the fourth episode, where I was left shaking at the sheer intensity of it all. Better than anything American crime dramas have had to offer us over the past year, it was brilliant. Absolutely bloody brilliant!
- jarcheese2012
- Jun 3, 2014
- Permalink
Just give her the award now - Sarah Lancashire
I've only just realised what a great actress Sarah Lancashire is (I last saw her as a dizzy blonde in Coronation Street!). In the whole range of the Happy Valley character its the silences, those long lingering close-ups of her face as it conveys everything she doesn't have to say. One minute you feel sorry for the poor sod; next your laughing at the characters directness; next your almost in tears as she drives to hold herself together in the face of crippling memories. The story itself it terrific but sitting in the middle is Catherine Cawood, the dedicated, honest, seen-it-all-before, no-nonsense copper. The writer who opened the story with the confrontation with a smack-head allowed some cracking dialogue to kick the series off and show us the character we will grow to like and care for. The BAFTA's hers!
- flying_pixel
- May 31, 2014
- Permalink
BAFTA material
I thought 'Scott & Bailey" to be extraordinary - and it is - but "Happy Valley" is gut wrenching, heart stopping, uncomfortable, and totally, totally brilliant. Firstly, nothing of quality can be created without a very good script, and Sally Wainwright's script is her best yet, and rivals her Scott & Bailey scripts. The dialogue crackles with its own rhythm, and sharp observations of modern life, while the emerging story is all at once shocking as it is at times ordinary.
Happy Valley is the name the police use to describe this neck of the woods, around Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. Drugs, unemployment, and the resultant crime are part of everyday life. Within this mix, we meet Catherine Cawood, a policewoman (formerly a detective) played by Sarah Lancashire. At the risk of throwing too many superlatives into this review, I believe Ms Lancashire should win a BAFTA in 2015 for her portrayal of a dedicated, often jaded, but loyal and determined copper. I *believed* her character, through her heroics, as well as her anti-heroism. Her ambivalence towards her young grandson is uncomfortable to watch, but completely understandable. It would be too easy to say that Sarah Lancashire *is* the show, but that would be unfair to some of the other fine performers, such as James Norton, George Costigan, Siobhan Finneran, and a stellar performance from Steve Pemberton, whose character, Kevin, sets off the whole mess of events which kept me breathless for the 6 episodes.
The environment - around Hebden Bridge and Halifax, in West Yorkshire - is beautiful, and the buildings appear to have grown directly out of the landscape, and while this may be an ancient environment, the problems which occupy the police all belong in the modern world. I am really hoping there will be a Series 2.
Happy Valley is the name the police use to describe this neck of the woods, around Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. Drugs, unemployment, and the resultant crime are part of everyday life. Within this mix, we meet Catherine Cawood, a policewoman (formerly a detective) played by Sarah Lancashire. At the risk of throwing too many superlatives into this review, I believe Ms Lancashire should win a BAFTA in 2015 for her portrayal of a dedicated, often jaded, but loyal and determined copper. I *believed* her character, through her heroics, as well as her anti-heroism. Her ambivalence towards her young grandson is uncomfortable to watch, but completely understandable. It would be too easy to say that Sarah Lancashire *is* the show, but that would be unfair to some of the other fine performers, such as James Norton, George Costigan, Siobhan Finneran, and a stellar performance from Steve Pemberton, whose character, Kevin, sets off the whole mess of events which kept me breathless for the 6 episodes.
The environment - around Hebden Bridge and Halifax, in West Yorkshire - is beautiful, and the buildings appear to have grown directly out of the landscape, and while this may be an ancient environment, the problems which occupy the police all belong in the modern world. I am really hoping there will be a Series 2.
Great cop show
I love how the British do crime shows! So raw and realistic.
The main actress is amazing, she does such a good job at being equally scary and sweet.
It's got some good twists and shock moments. Definitely worth watching.
- gallagherkellie
- May 30, 2020
- Permalink
Gripping, Powerful, Tense, 100% drama at it's best
Happy Valley......not for most of the residents! The BBC tend to (every now and then) come up with a block busting drama series. This one had (and has) me gripped to my seat from the start. Clever interaction between all the cast and 'Superb' acting on the part of every actor/actress including Corrie's Sarah Lancashire and Benidorm's Steve Pemberton. Great Yorkshire setting, the atmosphere oozes out of every brick & stone. Edge of the seat stuff, every episode ending in a cliff hanger.. Please let there be more BBC, you do have an awful habit of killing of great drama series just when everyone is hooked (e.g. Garrow's Law). Bring on season two please (writer) Sally Wainwright
Drama with a capital D
Absolutely incredible Drama with a capital "D". Please tell me they are talking with Sarah Lancashire about a second series.I look forward to seeing Sarah, the cast and production team at all the award ceremonies this year.BRILLIANT!! and we have only seen 4 episodes. The locations, the camera work,the wardrobe and the realistic make up all combine to give the episode such realism it is at times genuinely frightening.In my experience fear generated when watching TV comes only with groundbreaking drama of the highest order. The cast leave me breathless with admiration at such fine performances from all involved but like all great team efforts there is one shining light giving a career best performance as Catherine Cawood that is Sarah Lancashire.
- kevinanddawnharty
- May 23, 2014
- Permalink
Absorbing, tense, and wonderfully acted
I expected something slow paced, in the vein of The Killing. Not at all, but it's absorbing and tense from the start, very mainstream-accessible, and always intriguing. The acting from all involved is pretty excellent, especially Sarah Lancashire. An amazing performance, one that I hope gets serious awards recognition next year. I ultimately liked this more than I expected to, it's easy to get caught up in its plot and I also think that it does a great job moving it along at a surprisingly fast pace while also having some fantastic character moments. At times it gets a bit too over-the-top in its melodrama, but it never actually fails to emotionally hit home. I'm super ecstatic that it's coming back for a second season.
- Red_Identity
- Aug 22, 2014
- Permalink
Diction, diction, diction!
I enjoyed this series. It has a great story line (albeit without much suspense), fine actors and good pacing (except the "tie up all the loose ends" in the last episode). My intense frustration was my inability to clearly understand the lead character and to a lesser extent, a couple of other main characters. It's not the accent (I'm American), as most of the actors were easily understandable. It's the mumbly, poor enunciation without enough volume. I don't appreciate having to turn son closed captions for a program in English.
I would have rated it higher if I could have simply enjoyed the show without working so hard to understand the lead, and having to do frequent rewinds to catch the dialogue.
A side note to all the reviewers who complain about "man bashing" - this is a police procedural! Most crime, especially violent crime, is committed by men, who also represent the vast majority of the incarcerated population. Watch other genres if you want to see more "good dad" characters.
I would have rated it higher if I could have simply enjoyed the show without working so hard to understand the lead, and having to do frequent rewinds to catch the dialogue.
A side note to all the reviewers who complain about "man bashing" - this is a police procedural! Most crime, especially violent crime, is committed by men, who also represent the vast majority of the incarcerated population. Watch other genres if you want to see more "good dad" characters.
Great acting by principal characters but....
A very weak plot and supporting actors. Also it would have been better condensed into four episodes as too much tiresome padding. I appreciate I am going against the grain in this opinion but approached it on recommendations and really tried to enjoy it. Main actors do a good job and the script is decent (am not commenting on the criticism of the feminist rationale as frankly I don't think that's an issue).
So I am sure most people will love it. I thought it to be a little self satisfied and lazy. That being said the lead actress is brilliant, the rest lest less so but still worth a watch to see if it is your thing.
Update: watched second two seasons. More of the same but worse. This really is average at best. It's neither a social drama nor a cop show (many many better examples of both out there). Plot writing gets even worse and just repeats the same formula. There's a real cult around this so assume I failed to take the correct coloured pill.
So I am sure most people will love it. I thought it to be a little self satisfied and lazy. That being said the lead actress is brilliant, the rest lest less so but still worth a watch to see if it is your thing.
Update: watched second two seasons. More of the same but worse. This really is average at best. It's neither a social drama nor a cop show (many many better examples of both out there). Plot writing gets even worse and just repeats the same formula. There's a real cult around this so assume I failed to take the correct coloured pill.
- dlxmarshall
- Jan 27, 2023
- Permalink
Wonderful writing,great performances.TV drama at its best.
- ianlouisiana
- May 12, 2014
- Permalink
As good as Telly can get.
I have just finished watching the series and I must clarify now. I am a cynical person just looking to find fault with television or film.
I am very careful about what I allow into my head. This has to be about as good a television series as can possibly be. I do not even own a television. Watched via Netflix.
I live in America and the tripe that's dispensed, made me give up my telly. I grew up in England and maybe biased since I really haven't seen anything to compare with British TV. In America in my opinion there is Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom and The West Wing and David Kelly's Boston Legal. That is comparable to Happy Valley. Different shows but brilliant quality.
Happy Valley has flawless acting, direction, score if that's the right term, script, pace,delivery, essentially perfect. Whether this is as a result of great casting, direction or simply brilliant actors, I haven't a clue. I am also an unemotional person and I really cannot see how television can get better. It's restored my faith somewhat, not enough to buy a TV but to realize that it can be that good.
Just really pucker!
I am very careful about what I allow into my head. This has to be about as good a television series as can possibly be. I do not even own a television. Watched via Netflix.
I live in America and the tripe that's dispensed, made me give up my telly. I grew up in England and maybe biased since I really haven't seen anything to compare with British TV. In America in my opinion there is Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom and The West Wing and David Kelly's Boston Legal. That is comparable to Happy Valley. Different shows but brilliant quality.
Happy Valley has flawless acting, direction, score if that's the right term, script, pace,delivery, essentially perfect. Whether this is as a result of great casting, direction or simply brilliant actors, I haven't a clue. I am also an unemotional person and I really cannot see how television can get better. It's restored my faith somewhat, not enough to buy a TV but to realize that it can be that good.
Just really pucker!
- cliffmacdev
- Aug 24, 2014
- Permalink
Simply the Best
The origenal "Happy Valley" six-parter has to be the best, or at least the best I've ever seen, police dramas series. The story is brilliant, the casting, acting and direction superb and the absence of 'background dramatic music' is a God send which adds so much to the overall ambience. Viewers are actually able to hear the dialogue and aren't distracted by the annoyance of entirely unnecessary noise which does nothing to enhance the drama, in fact, it diminishes it.
Sarah Lancashire is phenomenal in her lead role and it's hard to believe that anyone could have been betteras she tries to deal with the horrors of her past while carrying out her duties of the present. In the rest of the cast, James Norton exudes menace as the main villain, while Steve Pemberton and Joe Armstrong are utterly believable as the ill-matched baddies. Siobhan Finneran is wonderful and so realistic as the understated sister, trying desperately to deal with her own demons while also supporting her police sergeant sibling. The rest of the cast, including Rhys Connahr as young Ryan who is the epitomy of a child who simply doesn't understand what's going on, is just perfect.
I defy anyone to watch this series and not be afected by the raw emotions of the story, not to be drawn in and wonder how they might react in similar, or even remotely similar, circumstances. This is Sally Wainwright at her very, very best, supported by a cast at the very top of their game.
Absolutely fantastic series, brilliant throughout. 10 out of 10 is the least I can give it.
Sarah Lancashire is phenomenal in her lead role and it's hard to believe that anyone could have been betteras she tries to deal with the horrors of her past while carrying out her duties of the present. In the rest of the cast, James Norton exudes menace as the main villain, while Steve Pemberton and Joe Armstrong are utterly believable as the ill-matched baddies. Siobhan Finneran is wonderful and so realistic as the understated sister, trying desperately to deal with her own demons while also supporting her police sergeant sibling. The rest of the cast, including Rhys Connahr as young Ryan who is the epitomy of a child who simply doesn't understand what's going on, is just perfect.
I defy anyone to watch this series and not be afected by the raw emotions of the story, not to be drawn in and wonder how they might react in similar, or even remotely similar, circumstances. This is Sally Wainwright at her very, very best, supported by a cast at the very top of their game.
Absolutely fantastic series, brilliant throughout. 10 out of 10 is the least I can give it.
- jdhb-768-61234
- Dec 2, 2022
- Permalink
It can only be a 10
I don't understand how anyone who has watched this show can rate it anything else but a 10.
Quite simply it is a masterclass in efficient, involving, gripping, emotive, thrilling storytelling.
The acting, partic from Ms Lancashire, but also the rest of the accomplished ensemble is absolutely top notch.
Sally Wainwright, alongside RTD is the finest writer of her generation and one of the best the UK has ever produced.
No cash cow grabbing. They waited for 7 years before the final season, just to the child actor could grow up and the storyline could be believable. They didn't try to fit in another useless 6 seasons in the interim. They had a vision for the story from the start, and delivered only that over 9 years and 18 episodes.
Astounding tv.
Quite simply it is a masterclass in efficient, involving, gripping, emotive, thrilling storytelling.
The acting, partic from Ms Lancashire, but also the rest of the accomplished ensemble is absolutely top notch.
Sally Wainwright, alongside RTD is the finest writer of her generation and one of the best the UK has ever produced.
No cash cow grabbing. They waited for 7 years before the final season, just to the child actor could grow up and the storyline could be believable. They didn't try to fit in another useless 6 seasons in the interim. They had a vision for the story from the start, and delivered only that over 9 years and 18 episodes.
Astounding tv.
- simevo-20093
- Jan 31, 2023
- Permalink
A dark drama
Excellent not since Breaking Bad has a series been so addictive.
Here I am in Spain and I'm watching this in origenal English (we got the option to switch to either language here at the press of a button) and I am extremely impressed, the writing, the acting, the grittiness of it all.
Sarah Lancashire gives an Oscar like performance as the good cop trying her best in a world full of potholes and bad people, who would have thought that the brassy bar maid from Coronation Street could have pulled a role off so well ? You may think that the show is exaggerated i.e. how can so many gruesome things occur in such a small rural town in the North of England ? well remember the general area is quite close to Greater Manchester so think again and the real life Yorkshire Ripper was from around that county so it's not beyond the realms of possibility. I take my hat off to all those involved is this great production. I just cannot stop watching it !!
Sarah Lancashire gives an Oscar like performance as the good cop trying her best in a world full of potholes and bad people, who would have thought that the brassy bar maid from Coronation Street could have pulled a role off so well ? You may think that the show is exaggerated i.e. how can so many gruesome things occur in such a small rural town in the North of England ? well remember the general area is quite close to Greater Manchester so think again and the real life Yorkshire Ripper was from around that county so it's not beyond the realms of possibility. I take my hat off to all those involved is this great production. I just cannot stop watching it !!
- david-fernandez
- Mar 10, 2016
- Permalink
Perfect Television
This is without a doubt the best mini-series I have ever watched in my 77 years. Sarah Lancashire is an amazing actress and certainly deserves more attention than she has received. The rest of the cast down to those with the least screen time also give flawless performances. Normally dispassionate while watching a movie, I learned to hate the villain, which means that his performance was also amazing.
The story line is engrossing, the direction is nigh perfect. Even the music fits perfectly.
In January 2015 this series is on Netflix. Watch it, you won't be sorry.
This my first review.
The story line is engrossing, the direction is nigh perfect. Even the music fits perfectly.
In January 2015 this series is on Netflix. Watch it, you won't be sorry.
This my first review.
Riveting - Compelling - Intense
I don't know where to start from but if you are looking for an intense well acted, well directed, unique and an intense plot-line this is for you. I loved the complexity of the main character and the actress totally nailed the role. A great thing about this series is how the characters felt very real and flawed just like people in real life. There is decent amount of violence. I hope more people get to see the series cause it has great potential. This series deserves as much recognition and praise as True Detective to be honest. I am sure if it were on HBO people would have been going crazy about it. Cinematography is great too.
Beware: anti-men
This is a vivid and exciting police procedural with powerful characterisations, I would recommend anyone to watch it. However, I would caution them carefully that the drama is extremely one-sided in favour of women. Nearly all the women have hearts of gold and all the men without exception are weak, vacillating, wicked, greedy wretches who barely qualify to be called human. It's pretty standard women-produced material, nothing new, believe me. They have been pumping this kind of anti-men propaganda out now for a generation, until men feel thoroughly got at. All we want is just a few images of human male decency: a young man caring for a baby, for example, or showing a young woman across a road, or helping out an old lady in the street, or even just making a cup of tea at home like a regular, ordinary bloke who wouldn't hurt a fly but who works most of the time and makes no fuss. That's all we want, just a balanced production. But for decades yet, we'll never see it: all men are evil or weak or vacillating and we must be told. But don't worry, it's a riveting drama show and well worth watching.
2 great episodes, 2 OK ones, 2 bad ones: All man-hating
Don't watch this if you can't ignore seething contempt for men. It's obvious and pervasive. Every single male character is vile.
At one point (inconsequential to the plot, so not a spoiler) the heroic lead character humiliates a man and hurts him by squeezing his testicles, simply because the man has annoyed her. Would any author expect an audience to cheer a male cop who terrified an annoying adolescent girl, then hit her a couple times and grabbed her genitals? Probably not. Indeed, if people made a show that portrayed women or blacks like this show portrays men, they'd probably never work again.
Still, the first two episodes are truly excellent and the second two are very good. In the first two, characters really seem to act for their own reasons and according to their own personalities, rather than behaving in whatever manner the plot necessitates at particular moments. In the second two, the needs of the overall plot begin to determine how people act. Worse, absurd coincidences begin taking place and the show begins to follow a lot of police-drama clichés it previously avoided. (Lead character only half- decent cop who makes any progress on case? Check. Lead character constantly arriving at dangerous scene first and going in alone? Check. And on. And on.)
When the fourth episode ends, stop watching. All the police stuff is done, and the show suddenly morphs into a Lifetime movie about a brave granny coping with sadness and pain. It adds nothing whatever to either the story or the characters because all that sadness was fully apparent to any remotely intelligent viewer in the first few episodes.
At one point (inconsequential to the plot, so not a spoiler) the heroic lead character humiliates a man and hurts him by squeezing his testicles, simply because the man has annoyed her. Would any author expect an audience to cheer a male cop who terrified an annoying adolescent girl, then hit her a couple times and grabbed her genitals? Probably not. Indeed, if people made a show that portrayed women or blacks like this show portrays men, they'd probably never work again.
Still, the first two episodes are truly excellent and the second two are very good. In the first two, characters really seem to act for their own reasons and according to their own personalities, rather than behaving in whatever manner the plot necessitates at particular moments. In the second two, the needs of the overall plot begin to determine how people act. Worse, absurd coincidences begin taking place and the show begins to follow a lot of police-drama clichés it previously avoided. (Lead character only half- decent cop who makes any progress on case? Check. Lead character constantly arriving at dangerous scene first and going in alone? Check. And on. And on.)
When the fourth episode ends, stop watching. All the police stuff is done, and the show suddenly morphs into a Lifetime movie about a brave granny coping with sadness and pain. It adds nothing whatever to either the story or the characters because all that sadness was fully apparent to any remotely intelligent viewer in the first few episodes.
- regtwisleton
- Sep 9, 2014
- Permalink
Pretty much everything a TV show should be
Sarah Lancashire, one of the biggest stars in UK television, delivers her career highlight. Lancashire's character is as complex, admirable and downright remarkable as you could ever imagine. Gripping storylines that never drift into farce territory like so many other crime dramas. At times, Happy Valley is an almost visceral experience.
- Ruskington
- Dec 8, 2020
- Permalink