Happy Valley

:

Season 1
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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Critic Reviews

  1. Hitfix
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    Nov 3, 2014
    91
    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), that I'm a bit ambivalent about the fact that a second season has already been ordered. Lancashire is so good that I won't necessarily mind getting to watch more of her in this role, but this particular story is so unique to her in a way that no sequel season can be.
  2. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Sep 11, 2014
    90
    Catherine's "patch" in Happy Valley may be more limited than the big chunks of Baltimore covered by Bunk and McNulty, but morally and emotionally, this fantastic drama goes deep.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Erik Adams
    Aug 20, 2014
    83
    There’s enough depth and complication in the performances alone to buoy the six-episode run, and given the intensity of the criminal specifics, the slow burn feels more like a feature than a bug.
  5. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Sep 24, 2014
    80
    At six episodes, Happy Valley is satisfyingly compressed.
  6. Slate
    Reviewed by: Willa Paskin
    Aug 20, 2014
    80
    [A] gritty and entrancing British import.
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Aug 19, 2014
    80
    Happy Valley, in addition to being a smart and absorbing thriller, is a morality play, one in which the mystery is secondary (we know who did what all along).
  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Aug 19, 2014
    80
    It’s hard to do the show justice, honestly, based strictly on a description. But the characters are so sharply drawn and the situation so suspenseful that Netflix’s famous binge function will likely be put to good use here.
  9. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    Aug 15, 2014
    80
    For all its emotional agony and slow pacing at times, Happy Valley is always moving forward and the fifth episode explodes off the screen.
  10. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Lori Rackl
    Aug 19, 2014
    75
    The Brit-speak can be a wee bit difficult to decipher at times but the show is good enough to warrant giving your remote’s rewind button a workout.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best TV Season of 2014
75
#75 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
40
#40 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 106 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 106
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 106
  3. Negative: 7 out of 106
  1. kirsten123
    May 31, 2016
    9
    Having finally given up on The Path before the seasons end {to anyone that's curious; don't waste your time}, I was looking for something elseHaving finally given up on The Path before the seasons end {to anyone that's curious; don't waste your time}, I was looking for something else to watch on Lightbox. I'm pleased to say that so far, Happy Valley is shaping up to be an exceptionally good drama… Full Review »
  2. Afekt
    Nov 13, 2015
    10
    One of the best tv shows for NETFLIX USA viewers! Stunning performances crack open from the start of opening credits over JAKE BUGG's perfectOne of the best tv shows for NETFLIX USA viewers! Stunning performances crack open from the start of opening credits over JAKE BUGG's perfect song around this powerful crime drama that sets up a believable multi layered story within minutesof the first episode.
    Acting lead character SARAH LANCASHIRE is top notch that should garner Emmy Award consideration. HAPPY VALLEY's set up starts to boil fast around an initial crime, that soon burns into kidnapping, secrets, revenge and twists.
    HAPPY VALLEY plays better than most Oscar worthy films! I sure do hope NETFLIX picks up season 2 for American viewers and prmotes this hidden gem that is far better then its over hyped Orange Is The New Black.
    What could be better in a program that quickly sets up Its criminal plot, all while it's victim drives her car innocently while singing along to KATE BUSH's music 'Weathering Heights' and 'Babushka' - a television first for American Viewers and I love every friggen tense second of it!    … Full Review »
  3. ErikTheRed
    Sep 1, 2014
    10
    This is the best show of its kind that I have ever seen. It exists superbly on a number of different levels well beyond that of ma policeThis is the best show of its kind that I have ever seen. It exists superbly on a number of different levels well beyond that of ma police procedural. The acting and plotting is as close to a work of art as I think possible. The six episodes creates a depth of all the main characters including the criminals. Sometimes it's a bit hard to make out the dialogue but a quick rewind is certainly worth it. This show creates an involvement with the protagonist that will stay with me for quite a while. I've already watched it two times.… Full Review »
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