Happy Valley is so effective at what it sets out to do, and so neat in fitting all its pieces together (up to the way the story's climax evokes a much milder incident from early in the series), that I'm a bit ambivalent about the fact that a second season has already been ordered. Lancashire is so good that I won't necessarily mind getting to watch more of her in this role, but this particular story is so unique to her in a way that no sequel season can be.

Catherine's "patch" in Happy Valley may be more limited than the big chunks of Baltimore covered by Bunk and McNulty, but morally and emotionally, this fantastic drama goes deep.

At six episodes, Happy Valley is satisfyingly compressed.

[A] gritty and entrancing British import.

Happy Valley, in addition to being a smart and absorbing thriller, is a morality play, one in which the mystery is secondary (we know who did what all along).

For all its emotional agony and slow pacing at times, Happy Valley is always moving forward and the fifth episode explodes off the screen.

The Brit-speak can be a wee bit difficult to decipher at times but the show is good enough to warrant giving your remote’s rewind button a workout.

Set the subtitles and get yourselves set with drink, snacks, whatever so you watch this fine dramatic series. It's up there with Prime Suspect and Sara Laurence is as good as Helen Mirren. Other actors equal quality. Music placed just so to push the dramatic tension. Overall excellent production. No spoiler, but the final scene of season 2 is a chilling lead to season 3. Can't wait! PS- People might think happy valley is like a light hearted romp, that's why it's not getting views like it should.

I dunno how anyone could rate this show less than a 10. This is probably the best TV series I've ever seen. All the actors are beyond fantastic - James Norton and Sarah Lancashire, in particular, give career-defining performances, pouring their hearts out on screen. The writers never put a foot wrong. I have recommended this show to tasteless reality-TV junkies, seasoned Golden-Age-of-TV snobs, and my dad (who can never manage to maintain interest through a TV series), and every single person has adored it and hailed it as a masterpiece. Awkward feelings: James Norton's supreme attractiveness as Tommy Lee Royce makes me uncomfortable... Anyone else feel the same? Scene stealer: Ashley's wife. She's not in too many scenes (hence I don't recall her character's first name, but she's fantastic. Nice surprise: Downton's evil and coniving maid O'Brien is totally great and sympathetic as a kind character who's not plotting anyone's demise.

One of the best tv shows for NETFLIX USA viewers! Stunning performances crack open from the start of opening credits over JAKE BUGG's perfect song around this powerful crime drama that sets up a believable multi layered story within minutesof the first episode. Acting lead character SARAH LANCASHIRE is top notch that should garner Emmy Award consideration. HAPPY VALLEY's set up starts to boil fast around an initial crime, that soon burns into kidnapping, secrets, revenge and twists. HAPPY VALLEY plays better than most Oscar worthy films! I sure do hope NETFLIX picks up season 2 for American viewers and prmotes this hidden gem that is far better then its over hyped Orange Is The New Black. What could be better in a program that quickly sets up Its criminal plot, all while it's victim drives her car innocently while singing along to KATE BUSH's music 'Weathering Heights' and 'Babushka' - a television first for American Viewers and I love every friggen tense second of it!

This is a gem of a show with excellent acting. The action was so intense and real that you feel like you are there. I did have to turn on the sub titles to make sure I could understand the dialog, but this was well worth the effort. My wife and I think that had this been made in the USA the producers would have made a 8-12 episode run. The six installments gave the perfect amount of time to tell this story. I also was appalled to find out that the police are not allowed to carry guns. This fact makes this series really intense!

No glamorous leading lady, no perfect families. These characters feel like people you could know. People that are real, warts and all. Gritty and edge of your seat at times, Sarah Lancashire shines. It is a little slow at the beginning but well worth the delay. I was unable to stop watching .