Meet the cast of Happy Valley season 2
Sarah Lancashire, James Norton and Siobhan Finneran are reprising their roles for the third and final season.
With production having finally begun on the third and final season of BBC drama Happy Valley, it shouldn’t be too long before the long-awaited instalment lands on our screens.
The BBC drama once again features a star-studded cast, with Sarah Lancashire reprising her role as Sergeant Catherine Cawood.
Siobhan Finneran and James Norton will also be returning as Catherine's sister Clare Cartwright and Tommy Lee Royce respectively.
And that's not all. BBC One has revealed some exciting new additions to the Happy Valley cast, including Amit Shah (The Other One, The Long Call), Mollie Winnard (All Creatures Great and Small, Four Lives) and Mark Stanley (The Girl Before, White House Farm) in roles as yet undisclosed.
Read on for everything you need to know about the cast ahead of Happy Valley season 3.
Happy Valley season 2 cast
Sarah Lancashire plays Catherine Cawood
Who is Catherine Cawood? Eighteen months ago Catherine was savagely beaten by vicious Tommy Lee Royce, the rapist she held responsible for the death of her beloved daughter. But Catherine emerged from crushing depression to gather the strands of her life — she’s back at work and once again is at the heart of her home and her town. But though Royce is in prison, he is never far away.
What else has Sarah Lancashire been in? Sarah Lancashire made her name on Coronation Street before quitting in 1996 and going on to find success with Where the Heart Is, Clocking Off and Seeing Red. In recent years she's also appeared in Lark Rise to Candleford, The Paradise and Last Tango in Halifax
James Norton as Tommy Lee Royce
A terrifying sociopath, Tommy has been in prison for eighteen months for the atrocities he committed in series one. On the surface, Catherine has won their battle with Tommy behind bars and left powerless... or so it seems. Another twist in their tale soon drags the pair back together and, like the slippery snake that he is, murderous Tommy focuses his mind on one goal: revenge.
What else has James Norton been in? Happy Valley cemented James Norton's status as one of Britain's brightest young stars, earning him a Bafta nomination – a role he's since followed up with the lead in ITV's Grantchester. He's recently been thrilling audiences as Prince Andrei in BBC1's adaptation of War and Peace.
Siobhan Finneran as Clare Cawood
Who is Clare Cawood? We know Clare is the big, beating heart at the centre of Happy Valley with her sister Catherine. She’s the one who keeps their strange little family on the straight and narrow — but she’s struggling to forge her own life.
What else has Siobhan Finneran been in? Siobhan Finneran's first major role was opposite Happy Valley's George Costigan in Rita, Sue and Bob Too, before going on to appear in Coronation Street and Emmerdale. But to international audiences she's best known as Downton Abbey's scheming O'Brien, a part she departed in 2013. Since then she's been seen in The Syndicate alongside her long-running role as Janice in Benidorm.
Con O'Neill as Neil Ackroyd
Who is Neil Ackroyd? An old friend of Clare's, Neil is a worker at a local corner store in his new home of Hebden Bridge. When the two cross paths for the first time in years, will they reignite their old flame or will it burn out?
What else has Con O'Neill been in? Con O'Neill is best known as a stage actor, winning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in Blood Brothers back in 1993. Since then he's starred in a string of productions opposite the likes of Jude Law and David Bradley, as well as appearing on screens in BBC series Criminal Justice, Channel 4's Cucumber and 2013 miniseries The Bible.
George Costigan as Nevison Gallagher
Who is Nevison Gallagher? Nevison had a tough first series – with his wife terminally ill, his daughter was stolen from him and his friend betrayed him – but with Ann home safe and out of harm's way, he must now must come to grips with the new reality he's forced to live in.
What else has George Costigan been in? George Costigan rose to fame in Rita, Sue and Bob Too and has gone on to appear in a string of TV shows including The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Dalziel and Pascoe and Kavanagh QC.
Kevin Doyle as John Wadsworth
Who is John Wadsworth? A good copper and an essentially decent man in the midst of a crumbling marriage to wife Amanda (Julie Hesmondhalgh), John’s in trouble with a demanding, vengeful mistress (played by Amelia Bullmore) who won’t be dismissed when he calls time on their relationship.
What else has Kevin Doyle been in? Known to most as Downton Abbey's Mr Molesley, Kevin Doyle has also appeared in Drop Dead Gorgeous, The Crimson Field and Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright's series Scott & Bailey.
Shirley Henderson as Frances Drummond
Who is Frances Drummond? She’s a fragile, damaged soul unhealthily obsessed by Tommy Lee Royce. Staring devotedly at him during prison visits, Frances is the perfect victim/puppet for a manipulative and brutal man whose malevolence stretches far beyond his cell.
What else has Shirley Henderson been in? Shirley Henderson found global fame as Gail in Trainspotting, Harry Potter's Moaning Myrtle and Bridget Jones's best friend Jude, but has also been a star of the small screen, appearing opposite Robert Carlyle in BBC series Hamish Macbeth and earning a BAFTA TV nod for Channel 4 miniseries Southcliffe.
Charlie Murphy as Ann Gallagher
Who is Ann Gallagher? With her harrowing experiences from series one now behind her, Ann is trying to move on with her life. She knows that she'll never be the same person she was before her kidnapping, but – with the help of Catherine – she's trying to make the best of things.
What else has Charlie Murphy been in? Irish actress Charlie Murphy is best known for playing the lead role of Siobhan Delaney in RTE drama Love/Hate. She's also appeared in The Last Kingdom, Quirke and '71.
Amelia Bullmore as Vicky Fleming
Who is Vicky Fleming? When her married lover John Wadsworth calls time on their relationship, Vicky Fleming goes on a mission to show him that she's not a woman to be trifled with.
What else has Amelia Bullmore been in? Amelia Bullmore is no stranger to Sally Wainwright's work, starring in Scott & Bailey alongside Suranne Jones. She played Alan Partridge's Ukrainian girlfriend Sonja, and has cropped up in BBC spoof Twenty Twelve as well as State of Play, Sherlock and 2014 film What We Did on Our Holiday. Bullmore is also known for her writing too, penning episodes of Scott & Bailey as well as plays Mammals and Di and Viv and Rose.
Katherine Kelly as Jodie Shackleton
Who is Jodie Shackleton? Her dad is a senior police officer, so Inspector Shackleton must prove she’s worked her way up on merit. Jodie is a sharp, cold and focused operator who grapples with Catherine Cawood’s common sense, instinctive-cop approach.
What else has Katherine Kelly been in? Another Happy Valley star to make her name on Corrie, Katherine Kelly has gone on to enjoy critical acclaim since quitting the soap in 2012. A leading role in Mr Selfridge has gone alongside BBC4 Kenny Everett biopic Best Possible Taste, The Guilty, The Field of Blood and National Theatre play She Stoops to Conquer.
Matthew Lewis as Sean Balmforth
Who is Sean Balmforth? This is a man stuck in a dark place in his life. Along with his growing drinking problem, Sean has trouble expressing his very angry, repressed emotions. As things begin to get worse for the West Yorkshire lad, he becomes increasingly out of control.
What else has Matthew Lewis been in? Known to most as dorky Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter, Matthew Lewis has focused his talents on British TV in recent years, taking roles in Bluestone 42, The Syndicate, Ripper Street and now Happy Valley. He'll also appear in the big-screen adaptation of Jojo Moyes novel Me Before You this June.
Julie Hesmondhalgh plays Amanda Wandsworth
Who is Amanda Wandsworth? A midwife and a working mother, a woman with a faithless husband who’s slowly drifting away from her as he’s swallowed by his secret world. But Amanda's partner isn't the only one with something to hide as she harbours troubles of her own.
What else has Julie Hesmondhalgh been in? Julie Hesmondhalgh bowed out of Coronation Street in 2014 after 16 years playing Hayley Cropper. Since then she's taken roles in Channel 4 series Cucumber, BBC4 film Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster and appeared on stage in Blindsided at the Royal Exchange and God Bless the Child at the Royal Court.
Angela Pleasence as Winnie
Who is Winnie? Catherine's neighbour Winnie may look like a little old lady, but she's actually one of the police officer's greatest allies. A willing translator, she's on hand to help when a suspected victim of human trafficking with no English comes calling at the station. But will her efforts put her life in danger?
What else has Angela Pleasence been in? Angela Pleasance is a veteran of the stage and screen, having popped up in numerous BBC productions in the past. She's probably best known for playing Catherine Howard in The Six Wives of Henry VIII, and younger generations may recognise her as Elizabeth I from Doctor Who's The Shakespeare Code. Horror fans will know Pleasance best for her roles in From beyond the Grave, Symptoms and The Godsend. Oh and her dad, Donald, played James Bond villain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, in You Only Live Twice.
No release date has been announced for Happy Valley season 3 as yet.
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