‘She (has) something you can’t teach’
Happy Valley viewers have called Sarah Lancashire’s performance in Sunday night’s episode “absolutely phenomenal” and called for her and Siobhan Finneran to win “all the awards” at this year’s Baftas.
The third, and perhaps, final season of the BBC show that sees Sarah return to the beat as Catherine Cawood – a highly decorated police officer nearing retirement and dreaming of life after the job – has already been a huge hit with fans.
On Sunday, Catherine confronted her sister Clare Cartwright (played by Siobhan) for taking her grandson Ryan (Rhys Connah) to visit his father Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton) in prison behind her back.
Following a dramatic scene, viewers saw Catherine leave the cafe and have visions of daughter Becky on the ground, causing her to scream and sob silently.
One fan called Sarah’s performance in the episode, “one of the best [actresses] of all time”, while another said she was “absolutely phenomenal in this: it’s like a super power.”
A third said every one of Sarah’s performances is a “masterclass”.
“She just (has) something you can’t teach and whatever that is she has it in spades.”
Ruling UK TV since she accidentally asked Ken Barlow if he wanted to sleep with her, in French, back in 1993.
The brilliant emotional subtlety of Sarah Lancashire has never been hidden, the knocking 7 bells of shit out of scrotes was, though. Amazing talent #HappyValley pic.twitter.com/ObKoQEjqwJ— Kathryn Williams (@KathWalesOnline) January 15, 2023
From serious. To comedy. This woman😍 She’s amazing. #HappyValley pic.twitter.com/mhGtEx3zJW
— Sarah Lancashire (@SarahLancsUK) January 15, 2023
Sarah Lancashire is phenomenal !!#HappyValley
— Amelia Dimoldenberg (@ameliadimz) January 15, 2023
The first episode of the new season opened with the discovery of a long dead body with a connection to Royce, a psychopath who raped Catherine’s daughter and got her pregnant.
While her professional life is dogged by the discovery, Royce overshadows her personal life as her grandson seems determined to form a connection with him.
Longtime fans of the show will remember, Royce doused him with petrol and threatened to set the both of them on fire at the end of the first season.
In the second episode, Catherine becomes increasingly suspicious of her sister and decides to follow and confront her. And the third episode has not disappointed, with fans begging Happy Valley producers to make a fourth season.
Happy Valley continues on Sundays at 9pm on BBC One, with episodes also available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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