Looking for something different to watch, I decided to check out Happy Valley. Being honest, this is a terrible name for the series. Happy Valley is the name of the town but no one ever refers to it and the series really doesn’t have much to do about the actual place, as it does it’s protagonist, Sergeant Catherine Cawood of the Happy Valley police department.

Sergeant Catherine Cawood is a fast-talking, driven, compassionate woman played superbly by Sarah Lancashire. As a sergeant, she is not afraid to go fist to fist with a prep and is not afraid to call BS on police political situations. As a grandmother, mother, sister, she is devoted and loving.

The premise is as followed:
Within the first few minutes, you learn that Catherine lives with her recovering from heroin and alcohol addiction sister, and does not speak with either of her children. Turns out one of her children, her daughter Becky, committed suicide after being assaulted and became pregnant as a result of the assault. Currently raising the grandchild with her sister, her ex husband and son want nothing to do with the little boy. But Catherine is human, despite her tough exterior and determination.

Believing she had put her daughter’s death and tragedy behind her, Catherine’s life begins to unravel when her ex-husband informs her that the man who attacked their daughter is being released from jail. This is quickly followed by another tragic and personal loss, all of which triggers a flood of emotions Catherine thought long since buried and can no longer control.

Supporting Sarah Lancashire and her roll of Catherine is a variety of characters that are both heroes and villains, on both sides of the badge. For the first season in particular, there are two characters who I just was absolutely astounded by their level of denial of the horrors they caused. Not wanting to give anything further away, on the Kitty Paws Ratings.

Kitty Paws Rating:
Two Kitty Paws for Sarah Lancashire excellent characterization of Catherine Cawood
One Kitty Paw for the supporting cast of characters.
One Kitty Paw because I actually am enjoyed this show so much I binged watched the first season and am looking forward to the next two seasons.

Granted I struggle with one decision that Catherine made regarding her grandson but I don’t want to give away the story line, because if she hadn’t done it, it would have had it’s dramatic first season ending. So, nothing’s perfect.

I am currently enjoying the second season. If you choose to check it out, there is a Harry Potter Alumni gracing this season.

I would also like to note that this is the second British series with Sarah Lancashire that I have truly enjoyed. The first was called The Paradise. Sadly, it only ran for one season.