Second series of Happy Valley on the cards

Calderdale writer Sally Wainwright is in talks with the BBC over a second series of the popular drama which will reach its climax next week.

The series has already earned positive reviews.

Euan Ferguson in the Observer said: “I’d entertained high hopes for turkeydom for Happy Valley because I’d read a few poor things about it. I should have known better.

“Sally Wainwright’s (Scott & Bailey, Last Tango in Halifax) dirtily fraught script perfectly refracted Hebden Bridge itself, as did the gloriously mouthy Sarah Lancashire. There will be vengeance. The Yorkshire county motto is not ‘Whatevah’.”

Gerard O’Donovan in the Telegraph said: “With her award-winning hit series Last Tango in Halifax, Sally Wainwright (previous credits: Scott & Bailey, At Home with the Braithwaites) proved yet again that she has a rare talent for creating fictional characters who live and breathe and draw us wholly into their lives.

“Her gripping new drama set in and around the Hebden Bridge area of West Yorkshire, showed off her skills to scintillating effect – reminding us that she is a dab hand when it comes to crime and suspense as well.”

Tim Dowling in the Guardian said: “Happy Valley is a pitch-dark police drama set in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, and it’s both finely wrought and unremittingly grim.

“It’s got something for everyone to get their teeth into, except perhaps Calderdale’s tourism team. They probably aren’t enjoying it as much as I am. I’m hooked on this finely wrought drama starring Sarah Lancashire. Probably best not to expect a happy ending.”