‘Happy Valley’ Series 2: BBC Commission 2016 Season of Hit Crime Drama

The BBC announced today that they’ve just commissioned season 2 of Sally Wainwright’s critically acclaimed drama, Happy Valley. Given the success of the original series though, the only surprise here is that the announcement has taken this long.

Starring Sarah Lancashire as police sergeant Catherine Cawood, series 1 proved to be a huge ratings draw for BBC One earlier this year, achieving weekly consolidated viewing figures of nearly 8 million. The show even launches in the US and Canada this week via the online streaming service Netflix.

Happy Valley – Image Credit: BBC/Red Productions. Photographer: Ben Blackall

Series 2 of Happy Valley goes into production in the summer of 2015, with the show scheduled to begin broadcasting in 2016.

Speaking about today’s announcement, BBC One Controller Charlotte Moore said: “Sally Wainwright’s sensational series gripped the nation. Visceral, emotional and provocative from beginning to end, it was fantastic to see our audience on tenterhooks, begging for more. The series is testimony to the creative ambition, quality and breadth of original British drama on BBC One and I can’t wait for the second series to begin.”

Founder and executive producer of RED Production Company, Nicola Shindler says: “Sally created a truly magnificent series with very real, complex characters, an engaging plot and breathtaking storyline. I am delighted that we will be able to delve deeper into Catherine’s world in series two.”