Happy Valley '˜won't return until end of 2018'

Gritty BBC police drama Happy Valley is unlikely to return until the end of next year, executive producer Nicola Shindler has revealed.
Undated BBC Handout Photo from Happy Valley. Pictured: Catherine (SARAH LANCASHIRE). See PA Feature TV Lancashire. Picture Credit should read: PA Photo/BBC/Ben Blackall. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature TV Lancashire. WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be published in print for editorial use during the publicity period (the weeks immediately leading up to and including the transmission week of the relevant programme or event and three review weeks following) for the purpose of publicising the programme, person or service pictured and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. Any use of this image on the internet and other online communication services will require a separate prior agreement with BBC Pictures. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial prior written approval from the copyright holder will be reqUndated BBC Handout Photo from Happy Valley. Pictured: Catherine (SARAH LANCASHIRE). See PA Feature TV Lancashire. Picture Credit should read: PA Photo/BBC/Ben Blackall. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature TV Lancashire. WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be published in print for editorial use during the publicity period (the weeks immediately leading up to and including the transmission week of the relevant programme or event and three review weeks following) for the purpose of publicising the programme, person or service pictured and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. Any use of this image on the internet and other online communication services will require a separate prior agreement with BBC Pictures. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial prior written approval from the copyright holder will be req
Undated BBC Handout Photo from Happy Valley. Pictured: Catherine (SARAH LANCASHIRE). See PA Feature TV Lancashire. Picture Credit should read: PA Photo/BBC/Ben Blackall. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature TV Lancashire. WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be published in print for editorial use during the publicity period (the weeks immediately leading up to and including the transmission week of the relevant programme or event and three review weeks following) for the purpose of publicising the programme, person or service pictured and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. Any use of this image on the internet and other online communication services will require a separate prior agreement with BBC Pictures. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial prior written approval from the copyright holder will be req

It has been reported that Shindler, whose company Red Productions makes the drama, said Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright is working on another project for BBC1 at the moment and there are creative reasons for waiting on a third series.

She also revealed Sarah Lancashire was keen to reprise her role as no-nonsense Sergeant Catherine Cawood.

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Speaking at a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch, she said: “We are working on a new idea for Sally for BBC1 which will be next year so the earliest Happy Valley would be would be towards the end of 2018 I would suspect.

“She won’t write the [Happy Valley] scripts for some time but Sally’s determined to do it, Sarah’s determined to do it.”

Shindler said that it’s likely the next series would be set some years on from the last to give time for Catherine’s grandson Ryan, conceived by a rape perpetrated by the chief villain Royce, played by James Norton, to grow up.

The multi-award winning drama is both set and filmed in Calderdale.

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