Happy Valley

:

Season 1
Season #: 3, 2, 1
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
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User Reviews

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  1. 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 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 isThis 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.… Expand
  2. 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 else to watch on Lightbox. I'm pleased to say that so far, Happy Valley is shaping up to be an exceptionally good drama
  3. katezoe
    Sep 19, 2014
    10
    One of the best thrillers I've seen in a long time. Edge of your seat suspense. The acting was excellent as was the writing and direction. The first episode is slow but soon there after you are in for a roller coater ride.
  4. BogKid
    Aug 23, 2014
    9
    First rate! Catherine, the police sergeant, is a solidly arresting character who carries the show with help of an excellent cast. Lots of threads of nastiness are tied together to make Sowerby one less than happy valley. It's on Netflix. If you can catch this show -- catch it!
  5. PoeticDumpling
    Sep 29, 2014
    8
    I just finished episode 4 and it was amazingly strong. Very suspenseful. The lead actress playing policewoman Catherine Cawood is instantly phenomenal. Her character is so well developed. Loving this show. It fits into the Fargo/Breaking Bad gritty crime dramas. Now going to finish episode 5 and 6 before bed.
  6. awesomefastguy
    Aug 24, 2014
    9
    I was saw this fantastic series when it was on British television during June and can honestly say that it is one of the finest television dramas out there. A friend of mine summarised the first episode and it sounded intriguing, and I was hooked from there. The acting is all brilliant (with the exception of Catherine's sister who I, personally, didn't think was a patch on the others)I was saw this fantastic series when it was on British television during June and can honestly say that it is one of the finest television dramas out there. A friend of mine summarised the first episode and it sounded intriguing, and I was hooked from there. The acting is all brilliant (with the exception of Catherine's sister who I, personally, didn't think was a patch on the others) and the dialogue is very believable.

    A tense, dark drama that is a must-see.    … Expand
  7. Milo69
    Aug 22, 2014
    9
    Could not stop watching this show! Excellent. Looks like I have finally found a show that was as entertaining as Breaking Bad - and that is NOT easy to do.
  8. Guine
    Aug 24, 2014
    10
    Excellent show, real raw emotions that you never felt was acting. As another reader said, "We need to fall in love with Sarah Lancashire". I absolutely agree! She did not fail to amaze me because what emotion you expected of her, she completely blew you away by an opposite or totally unexpected reaction. Brilliant! As for her sister? She looks and acts as you would expect a person ofExcellent show, real raw emotions that you never felt was acting. As another reader said, "We need to fall in love with Sarah Lancashire". I absolutely agree! She did not fail to amaze me because what emotion you expected of her, she completely blew you away by an opposite or totally unexpected reaction. Brilliant! As for her sister? She looks and acts as you would expect a person of her age to finally be a recovering heroin addict and if anyone knows a person who has drank or done drugs for a significant amount of time, they don't slowly become the 35 yr old or 50 yr old they should be because they really didn't grow up during the time they lost while doing alcohol or drugs, She fits the bill very well, looking to help and counsel others but on the home front she looks lost. Great cast, great show! Y oh Y only 6 episodes, tho!!!… Expand
  9. msmatch
    Nov 17, 2014
    9
    Well, it would have rated a 10 by me EXcept I could never, ever understand a word out of Catherine's mouth!! Sure wish there would have been sub titles so I knew what the heck she was saying! I hope I will be able to watch season 2 without all that frustration. Had no trouble-well, maybe a little with the sister- understanding most of what the others were talking about.
  10. amwbfh
    Jan 8, 2015
    10
    No glamorous leading lady, no perfect families. These characters feel like people you could know. People that are real, warts and all. Gritty and edge of your seat at times, Sarah Lancashire shines. It is a little slow at the beginning but well worth the delay. I was unable to stop watching .
  11. KristiMac
    Dec 10, 2015
    10
    I dunno how anyone could rate this show less than a 10. This is probably the best TV series I've ever seen. All the actors are beyond fantastic - James Norton and Sarah Lancashire, in particular, give career-defining performances, pouring their hearts out on screen. The writers never put a foot wrong. I have recommended this show to tasteless reality-TV junkies, seasonedI dunno how anyone could rate this show less than a 10. This is probably the best TV series I've ever seen. All the actors are beyond fantastic - James Norton and Sarah Lancashire, in particular, give career-defining performances, pouring their hearts out on screen. The writers never put a foot wrong. I have recommended this show to tasteless reality-TV junkies, seasoned Golden-Age-of-TV snobs, and my dad (who can never manage to maintain interest through a TV series), and every single person has adored it and hailed it as a masterpiece.

    Awkward feelings: James Norton's supreme attractiveness as Tommy Lee Royce makes me uncomfortable... Anyone else feel the same?

    Scene stealer: Ashley's wife. She's not in too many scenes (hence I don't recall her character's first name, but she's fantastic.

    Nice surprise: Downton's evil and coniving maid O'Brien is totally great and sympathetic as a kind character who's not plotting anyone's demise.    … Expand
  12. Bitash
    Oct 10, 2016
    10
    I wish I could give this 100, it starts tad slow but just wait. These English actors and directors just do a superb job, the acting is sooooonwell done, the reactions and emotions are solo senders it just sucks you in, you believe the characters solo much. I absolutely was stuck on the TV and couldn't believe how well it's been directed and acted. They deserve an academy award. If I was aI wish I could give this 100, it starts tad slow but just wait. These English actors and directors just do a superb job, the acting is sooooonwell done, the reactions and emotions are solo senders it just sucks you in, you believe the characters solo much. I absolutely was stuck on the TV and couldn't believe how well it's been directed and acted. They deserve an academy award. If I was a movie director I would go to England to find actors, they have the best ones. A must watch! Great story telling and well blended and no holes in the story.… Expand
  13. EPMD
    Jul 19, 2016
    9
    It peaks in quality around episode 4, and the last two episodes really have a different feel to them. It isn't always a pleasant watch, and some of it can be downright depressing, but I think you'll be missing out if you don't watch this. The lead character is unforgettable.
  14. Theprofessorx
    Feb 12, 2015
    9
    If you can bear the sometimes difficult to understand english, this show is really well done! The acting is really suberb. Although the plot line with the family strife didnt quite resonate with me, the plots surrounding the crime, the police investigation and the accountant who is regretfully taking part is all first rate. As a crime drama, it is heads and shoulders above most of the us shows.
  15. 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 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    One 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!    … Expand
  16. RSS
    Mar 19, 2016
    10
    Set the subtitles and get yourselves set with drink, snacks, whatever so you watch this fine dramatic series. It's up there with Prime Suspect and Sara Laurence is as good as Helen Mirren. Other actors equal quality. Music placed just so to push the dramatic tension. Overall excellent production. No spoiler, but the final scene of season 2 is a chilling lead to season 3. Can't wait!Set the subtitles and get yourselves set with drink, snacks, whatever so you watch this fine dramatic series. It's up there with Prime Suspect and Sara Laurence is as good as Helen Mirren. Other actors equal quality. Music placed just so to push the dramatic tension. Overall excellent production. No spoiler, but the final scene of season 2 is a chilling lead to season 3. Can't wait!
    PS- People might think happy valley is like a light hearted romp, that's why it's not getting views like it should.    … Expand
  17. podaddy
    Sep 11, 2014
    9
    Fantastic show. I had some difficulty getting past the show's Fargo-esque(the movie) plot at first, but it distanced itself more and more from Fargo as the series moved forward. Acting and writing is top notch, very evenly paced and not in anyway shape or form boring as one reviewer claimed. Not being english, I suppose subtitles might have come in handy from time to time, but even withFantastic show. I had some difficulty getting past the show's Fargo-esque(the movie) plot at first, but it distanced itself more and more from Fargo as the series moved forward. Acting and writing is top notch, very evenly paced and not in anyway shape or form boring as one reviewer claimed. Not being english, I suppose subtitles might have come in handy from time to time, but even with some of the dialogue floating right over my head sometimes, the show is one of the best offerings anywhere, be it Netflix, Cable or network tv.… Expand
  18. toliverjohn
    Jan 17, 2015
    10
    This is a gem of a show with excellent acting. The action was so intense and real that you feel like you are there.

    I did have to turn on the sub titles to make sure I could understand the dialog, but this was well worth the effort. My wife and I think that had this been made in the USA the producers would have made a 8-12 episode run. The six installments gave the perfect amount    This is a gem of a show with excellent acting. The action was so intense and real that you feel like you are there.

    I did have to turn on the sub titles to make sure I could understand the dialog, but this was well worth the effort.

    My wife and I think that had this been made in the USA the producers would have made a 8-12 episode run. The six installments gave the perfect amount of time to tell this story.

    I also was appalled to find out that the police are not allowed to carry guns. This fact makes this series really intense!    … Expand
  19. meyerscca
    Apr 9, 2016
    9
    Perhaps one of the best shows I've seen. The first season was outstanding and a roller coaster of emotions. The second season was a bit more dark and and a bit more weak. A review can't do this show justice.
  20. Broyax
    Jan 8, 2017
    8
    Première saison qui peut se suffire à elle-même en attendant de voir si les auteurs sauront (ou non) capitaliser sur la suite. En tout cas, on tient là un mélange curieux et détonnant entre une série policière menée tambour battant et un épouvantable psychodrame familial...

    Un psychodrame particulièrement carabiné qui en rajoute couche après couche, reléguant les Misérables (nos    Première saison qui peut se suffire à elle-même en attendant de voir si les auteurs sauront (ou non) capitaliser sur la suite. En tout cas, on tient là un mélange curieux et détonnant entre une série policière menée tambour battant et un épouvantable psychodrame familial...

    Un psychodrame particulièrement carabiné qui en rajoute couche après couche, reléguant les Misérables (nos Misérables franco-français de Victor Hugo, re-raconté, ré-adapté maintes et maintes fois au cinéma et à la télé) au rang de bluette assez anecdotique... Quoiqu'il y eut Oliver Twist outre-manche et nul doute que Happy Valley en soit un hommage moderne quelque part, avec à la place d'Oliver, cette femme flic victime de la vie et de tous les maux et malheurs qu'il est possible de concevoir...

    Nonobstant ces épanchements, on se doit de saluer la façon dont ils sont si justement racontés : l'écriture est vraiment remarquable et servie par une actrice principale épatante, tout aussi bien entourée d'ailleurs ; de même la réalisation est soignée et assurément toujours efficace.

    Si les deux derniers épisodes (sur les 6) sont une sorte d'épilogue (un carambolage d'une problématique sentimentale compliquée mais néanmoins stupéfiante) les 4 premiers sont montés comme un thriller policier des plus passionnants et rigoureux dans leur narration. On remarquera qu'apparemment dans la cambrousse de nos amis rosbifs, les flics ne portent jamais d'armes à feu (shocking !) ce qui ne laisse pas d'étonner. Par contre, ils ont d'énormes gilets jaunes fluorescents !

    Je ne comprendrai jamais les Anglais. Mais quelle série... étonnante (pour l'instant) !    … Expand
  21. Harry100
    Mar 22, 2023
    10
    Possibly the best TV drama I have ever seen. The writing is excellent, with what appear to be irrelevancies cast out to tease us. These irrelevancies often crop up in future episodes, at which point they make perfect sense. It probably helps that the writer also directed, the result brilliance! Of course the acting flows so well too. There are few UK police thrillers which produce suchPossibly the best TV drama I have ever seen. The writing is excellent, with what appear to be irrelevancies cast out to tease us. These irrelevancies often crop up in future episodes, at which point they make perfect sense. It probably helps that the writer also directed, the result brilliance! Of course the acting flows so well too. There are few UK police thrillers which produce such emotion in the viewer. I wanted some characters to suffer immeasurably and others broke my heart. What can ever replace this stuff? I expect we will have to wait another 10 years or so.… Expand

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  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.
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  2. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Sep 24, 2014
    80
    At six episodes, Happy Valley is satisfyingly compressed.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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