It will soon be time for Brit TV fans to revisit the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, as Series 2 of the BAFTA-winning crime drama, Happy Valley, is set to premiere in February.
Sarah Lancashire and James Norton reprise their award-winning roles as Police Sergeant Catherine Cawood and psychopathic criminal Tommy Lee Royce in the second series of Happy Valley, one of the most highly-anticipated series returns of 2016.
Also reprising their roles are Siobhan Finneran as Catherine’s sister, Clare Cartwright; Charlie Murphy as Ann Gallagher, one of Royce’s victims; Rhys Connah as Catherine’s grandson, Ryan Cawood; Jill Baker as Helen Gallagher, Ann’s mother; George Costigan as businessman Nevison Gallagher, Ann’s father; Shane Zaza as Police Officer Shafiq Shah; Karl Davies as Catherine’s son, Daniel Cawood; and Rick Warden as Police Inspector Mike Taylor.
And joining the Happy Valley cast are Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey), Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street), Shirley Henderson (Jamaica Inn), Con O’Neill (Criminal Justice), Angela Pleasance (Whitechapel), Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter films), Vincent Franklin (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell), Ivana Basic (Casualty), Amelia Bullmore (Scott & Bailey), Robert Emms (Atlantis), Susan Lynch (Monroe), and Katherine Kelly (Mr Selfridge).
Series 2 opens a year and a half after that nail-biter of a Series 1 finale, with Tommy Lee Royce in prison but still haunting Catherine as she rebuilds her life. While out on a sheep-rustling case, she discovers a decomposed body hidden in a garage on a local estate. Not only was the victim raped and murdered, she is someone close to home for Catherine, who soon finds herself in the midst of a murder investigation.
Meanwhile, Clare bumps into old friend and former flame Neil Ackroyd (Con O’Neill), who’s recently moved to Hebden Bridge and works in the local corner shop. Other relationships are thrown into turmoil, as Catherine takes in Daniel after he is thrown out of his house, while Detective Sergeant John Wadsworth (Kevin Doyle) faces a tough decision when his girlfriend Vicki (Amelia Bullmore) unexpectedly turns up at the house he shares with his wife Amanda (Julie Hesmondhalgh) and children.
When another dead body is found, the police begin to suspect a serial killer, and Detective Superintendent Andy Shepherd (Vincent Franklin) and Detective Inspector Jodie Shackleton (Katherine Kelly) are called in to head up the case. Locked away behind bars, Tommy Lee Royce is given some very unexpected news, and the distraught criminal seeks comfort in a mysterious female visitor (Shirley Henderson).
As the murder investigation continues, Catherine focuses on a human trafficking case. After a successful raid she ensures all the women are taken to safe houses, including Ilinka (Ivana Basic), who, despite initially fleeing in fear, is given refuge with Catherine’s neighbor Winnie (Angela Pleasance). With vital information on those behind the trafficking, Ilinka reluctantly speaks to the police. However, Catherine might have inadvertently put Ilinka in danger.
John, under threat from Vicki at home and under pressure about the murder case at work, takes drastic measures in an attempt to save his reputation and his marriage. Tommy is granted special leave to go to his mother’s funeral, an event that Catherine inexplicably attends, as well, and brings her face to face with him once again. And Clare, feeling vulnerable, turns to an old friend for comfort.
Written, directed, and executive produced by Sally Wainwright (Last Tango in Halifax, Scott & Bailey), the second series of Happy Valley will premiere in the UK on BBC One during the week of 6-12 February 2016 (date and time TBA).
If the time lag between the UK and US premieres is the same for Series 2 as Series 1, US viewers can expect to see the new season of Happy Valley as a Netflix Original in late spring or early summer this year. Stay tuned for updates.
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