Happy Valley season 1 review: One of the very best British crime dramas

4/5

Story: Catherine Cawood is a no-nonsense police sergeant living with her grandson and sister. She learns that her deceased daughter’s rapist, Tommy, is back in town after being released from prison on a drug charge. She is determined in finding him as he was never charged with her daughter’s rape. Little does she know that Tommy is involved in the kidnapping of a young woman – a case she is investigating.

Review: Britain has produced some of the most underrated crime drama TV shows in recent years, at times head-shoulders above those produced ‘across the pond’ in the US. TV shows such as the universally acclaimed production Sherlock or the criminally underrated ones like Line of Duty offer a significantly unique style and aesthetic that is often grounded in realism. One might argue that Sherlock does test the boundaries of realism, but a vast majority of crime dramas such as Broadchurch, Luther, and Line of Duty fit into this category. But the one British TV show that perfectly encapsulates this approach is Sally Wainwright’s Happy Valley.

The title may suggest that Happy Valley is a Disney production about talking furry animals and their heartwarming adventures. However, as one would imagine it is far from it. It is a sombre tale of grief, tragedy, abuse, trauma, and redemption. Happy Valley also sets itself apart from other British crime dramas in terms of its lead character. Instead of the usual formula for a lead, as played by Idris Elba, David Tenant, or Benedict Cumberbatch, the protagonist is essayed by the excellent Sarah Lancashire. Her character, Catherine Cawood, a grandmother and a police sergeant, is not the conventional ‘hero’ one would expect from a crime drama. But surprisingly she is one of the most convincing protagonists ever created.

The fact that Catherine Cawood became such a compelling character is a testament to the writers who have carefully developed her arc in the story. Catherine’s personal and professional lives are two separate entities with compelling storylines of their own. But when they do invariably cross over it makes for a fascinating watch. In fact, Lancashire also deserves immense praise for how she has effortlessly tackled the responsibility of carrying the show on her shoulders. Of course, she is supported by great characters played by incredible actors. James Norton’s portrayal of the psychotic Tommy Lee Royce is the perfect villain. It is possibly a conscious decision by the creators to depict the villain as a striking young man in order to challenge conventional norms surrounding heroes and villains in fiction. An underrated character for season one is Kevin Weatherill, played by Steve Pemberton, whose descent into villainy is almost identical to Martin Freeman’s Lester Nygaard in season one of Fargo (2014 - present).

The story takes its time to settle and once it does it quickly immerses the audience into the small fictional Yorkshire town of Happy Valley. Catherine’s desperate attempts to seek justice against Tommy, the man responsible for daughter Becky’s suicide is heartbreaking at times. And her grandson, Ryan, whom she loves as if he were her own child is a product of rape – he is a tragic reminder for Catherine about the trauma Becky endured. The grounded realism of the show is captured in how the scenes have been framed, the typically grey skies in northern England add to the overall aesthetic of the show. While the series does exceptionally well in exploring several themes, it also highlights several contemporary issues such as the criticism aimed at the British government and its alleged lack of funding for its police.

Verdict: BBC’s Happy Valley is the epitome of compelling British crime dramas grounded in realism — one that relies on its fleshed-out characters and an engaging screenplay instead of over-the-top melodrama and action. Its lead character Catherine Cawood has to be one of the most well-written female protagonists, and her journey as a police sergeant, a grandmother, a sister, and a grieving mother keeps the audience glued to the screens from episode one.