The BBC confirms hit crime drama Happy Valley will film third and final season in 2022

The BBC has confirmed that a final season of Happy Valley is underway, with filming to commence in early 2022 after the end of season two in 2016.

Six new episodes of the BAFTA-winning crime drama show will see the return of Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood, and James Norton as murderer and sex offender Tommy Lee Royce.

The final season will follow Catherine as she investigates a gangland murder that leads her back to Tommy, and her struggle to end the drug supply in the valley.

Sarah’s character is also on the cusp of retirement and the show will explore her relationship with grandson Ryan, who is now 16.

Also reprising her role as Catherine’s sister Clare is Siobhan Finneran, while further casting will be announced in due course.

James said of reprising his role as Tommy: ‘To take on Tommy one final time is a wonderful and daunting privilege, and something I’ve been looking forward to since we wrapped the last series, six years ago.

‘I’m so excited to be working with the insanely talented [creator and writer] Sally [Wainwright] and Sarah again. Thinking we should all go on one last barge holiday, for old times’ sake.’ 

Both returning: Six new episodes of the BAFTA-winning show will see the return of Sergeant Catherine and James Norton (pictured) as murderer and sex offender Tommy Lee Royce

Sarah added: ‘It’s time to let the dog see the rabbit.’  

Speculation on a third series began in March when Happy Valley star Charlie Murphy said the show’s creator and writer Sally had begun writing the script.   

Charlie, who plays Ann Gallagher in the popular TV show, also revealed that audiences can expect series three to ‘probably’ air sometime in 2022.

Drama-filled: The final season will follow Catherine as she investigates a gangland murder that leads her back to Tommy, and her struggle to end the drug supply in the valley  

Heroine: Sarah said of the show’s return in an official statement on Tuesday, ‘It’s time to let the dog see the rabbit’ 

Speaking to Digital Spy at the time, Charlie announced that Sally is currently in the process of writing the next series of the award-winning show. 

She said: Sally’s taken up the pen again now, so yeah, we’ll see what happens. It’s really exciting. She’s just focusing on it now, which is exciting. She’s just an incredible writer. I just can’t wait to see what she pulls out of the bag for it.’ 

Happy Valley was a big hit with audiences after first airing in 2014, winning a BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series, with a follow-up second series in 2016.  

When asked what date it would be expected to air, Charlie replied: ‘Timeline-wise, probably [2022].’  

Return: Speculation on a third series began in March when Happy Valley star Charlie Murphy (pictured) said the show’s writer and creator Sally Wainwright had begun writing the script 

In process: The actress told Digital Spy at the time that Sally (pictured) is writing the next series of the BAFTA award-winning show – following on from the end of season two in 2016