Catherine Cawood is one of the best female characters to grace our screens in recent years.

James completely nails the character, not just the specific accent but the attitude and personality. After watching the first series I was completely stunned to hear how he actually talks I didn't realise he wasn't a local lad. He genuinely captured such a specific type of young male West Yorkshire type it's hard to explain if you're not from there. But it's spot on.

I can not believe how different James is to Tommy. Unbelievable acting!!

James Norton’s performance of the psychopath, Tommy, is stellar. Completely convincing as a tortured human being. And at the same time, he was playing this lovely minister in Grantchester. So nice to know that it has come back.

James, Sarah, Siobhan et al all deserve their glorious acting kudos, but I’m surprised and saddened that my fellow Happy Valley fans in the comments are not giving the mad respect he deserves to Ryan, hauntingly, brilliantly, and angelically brought to life in one of the most extraordinary child acting performances I’ve ever seen, by Ryhs Connagh. So I’ll give this gifted young actor the props he deserves. He’s a huge part of the show’s S1 & S2 success. I’m glad it’s discussed here in this Q&A but I wish the comments acknowledged the same.

Best British crime series ever - actors are AWESOMELY AWESOME - ALL of them are frikken brilliant ! So glad we got season 3. Sarah Lancashire is just phenomenal in this .

James. why would anyone not come back after 7 years, just to see your gorgeous face. I have binge watched the first 2 series so many times over the last 6 years, i almost know it word for word. i just love it and i absolutely love James. Quality actor, the best of the best as is Sarah Lancashire in everything they do

The cast and writing was just flawless... All the actors were amazing...just perfect. The show was formidable 💯😇

Loved, loved, loved the show. James Norton seems like such a lovely guy and fantastic actor.

God James looks so sweet and handsome here. In every possible way. I have waited so long for Happy Valley, he is worth the wait!

Mr Norton's portrayal as a psycopath is amazing, completely reminds me of someone i knew who is serving life. He really does deserve the Bond job, if he fancies it, with that amount of talent.

James Norton was Great as the Psychotic Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley ,What an exit his character made at the End of Series 3 in Sergeant Catherine Cawood's Home ,Rhys Connor and Siobhan Finneran were great also in this as Catherine's Siblings ,But all praise goes to Sarah Lancashire as the Emotional Sergeant Catherine Cawood . Wish there was more instead of 3 series ,But well done to the Makers of this ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I love the fact that its all the same actors…..It would of been so disappointing not to have had all the original actors…brilliant !!!!

I just ADORE Siobhan! She is so naturally funny and unbelievably modest and humble bless her 🥰 I've seen almost everything she has been in and she nails it all! I loved hearing that she loves to speak to fans about her character/s in depth, i've written her a lovely letter it's a bit long but hopefully when i send it she recieves it, reads it and appreciates it, i just love her so much!! 😍🥰❤️xxx

A week ago I had not even heard about this series. My mom suggested I watch it. Now I have seen all three seasons in five days.

The prison scenes of Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton) manipulating and coercing his "girlfriend" to menace Catherine are stunning acting. James Norton is a brilliant actor. But, love them ALL. Happy Valley is fantastic.

Siobhan Finneran is such a great actress. I'm writing from France and I noticed her in Downton Alley and wished to know more about her. She's just very good in every character she plays. I really hope she will do more and more and will get a big audience in a serie of her own because she deserves it so much.

What an amazing series it’s so real and gritty so beautifully written and acted .Thank you for this gift it’s been an absolute pleasure to watch can’t wait for Monday nights!!!

He's so right about how she flips what you expect from the characters so suddenly. It's one of my favourite things about the show. Someone you peg as a good person making a silly mistake that's escalated suddenly shows themselves as actually rotten, and someone you see as an absolute villain suddenly does something so human it throws you. It's genius

My mum introduced me to happy valley, she's obsessed with it, has watched season 1&2 over and over! She's in nz and I'm in Australia, she's so excited because season 3 is premiering this week! I absolutely love catherine and her ballsy no fucks given attitude! What a brilliant cast of actors! Sux that it's not on here in straya. And I have no wifi to stream any tv. But at least mum gets her fix!

Love Sarah Lancashire, love Siobhan Finneran, love George Costigan, just a brilliant cast all round. Great writing, great storylines. I'm so sorry it's finishing for good. It could've endured like 'Line of Duty'.

Lol fair play , could James Norton be any different to his character, top actor

Awwww I've been totally hooked from series 1. I love all the characters. When I listen to the podcast Obssessed with Happy Valley I too remember every detail. Its so good.

The scean at the end of series three where Tommy was looking at the photos and crying. Wow that had me feel sorry for Tommy. Such brilliant acting by James. He is amazing. Scene I mean

Thank you for your time, absolutely fascinating.

Both actors, Catherine Cawood and James Norton, are so versatile and fantastic to watch. Thanks for uploading this interesting interview.

Best thing on telly ever

I had to watch the first two series all over again to get back up to speed and am now in the middle of series three for the second time Doing much better now in understanding who everyone is and what the little side stories are all about. Eight years is a long time to try to hold all this together. However it is well worth it because the story is so good.

Fern. You are right. Can’t wait for this new season to start.

I still love coming back to watch this. Their voices were so beautiful together ❤

I couldn't wait for the next episode on Series 3, which airs on two days time. So I have binge watched on Iplayer !😲😲 Also went back to Series 2 to 're-cap on a story line which I couldn't quite recall - the woman who shot her son who was a murderer and took an overdose, and then served time. I shall probably watch it all AGAIN on 15th January ! Thank you for a great programme ! 🙋🇬🇧

James … Happy Valley is West Yorkshire daft lad, but you’re forgiven. I am in North Yorkshire, Whitby… by the sea. Man ..can your real voice be any more mesmerising .. Adore all of you 🎩💪🏽💋

He was so good. Outstanding

I just love him in many ways, knowing full well I’m unable to “have”him.Brilliant James Norton.

Amazing performances from all cast. Tommy and Catherine!

James reminds me a lot of Josh O’Connor who is also a naturally very urbane well spoken guy who played a bluff, gruff Yorkshire lad very convincingly in ‘Gods own country’. Happy Valley is a simply amazing show with a stellar cast (Siobhan and Sarah are phenomenal talents) and I will be very sad to say goodbye to them.

The accents make this so authentic

Happy valley as a drama is as good as it gets- such great acting and a compelling story. Sarah Lanchashire is soooo good. James Norton is utterly convincing as Tommy Lee - he is also fantastic in Mcmafia -excellent drama that show needed more seasons.

Incredible each season.

Been a Huddersfield native I'm really proud of this drama. The Writing and the characters created are superb.

Such a great series and cast. James Norton is an amazing actor.

James norton is giving me young robert redford vibes here.great actor and seems super sweet.

James is such a different person outside of character which is testament to how good an actor he is.

James, top actor.. they all nailed their parts..kept me glued

Such a great show! I LOVE the accents and colloquialisms in Happy Valley-and even though I'm American, I understand *most* of what's being said!😉

James Norton was absolutely fantastic in McMafia too.

It’s wired how different they are from the acting roll to real life it’s amazing

Fantastic crime tv-serie. The best of all; actors, script, producers. Nothing beat British crime-tv like this. They get it right.

It would be so fun to have an all evening dinner party with the cast of HV. It would be an even greater thrill to hang out with Catherine Cawood! I’ve watched Series 1 & 2 sooooo many times.

Love this series and everything.perfect!

Think he is an actor who can convince you he is that character , having watched him in War and Peace you wouldn't know it was the same actor .

Amazing program. Top class actors ❤

Just epic

I agree but James is also such a good actor I’m scared of him.

The mark of an outstandingly written and acted character is that you feel so sad that they don’t exist in real life. Catherine Caywood isn’t real - and it makes me upset!

So underrated. Like Unforgotten. A crime, police and drama series. Underrated. Great series. Great character building and writing!

Catherine Cawood is a goddess.😍

I forgotten the film name he was in but he played a single dad thst was dying and he had to find the right family for his son he absolutely nailed it, very talented actor. I'm desperate to watch it but bbciplayer only 2 episodes so far so I've decided to wait till there all out by February and sit back and watch the whole season 3 in the evening instead of having to wait every Sunday.

God James Norton is bloody gorgeous …why he wasn’t chosen as Bond i will never know.. he’s suave and sexy with an edge ..🤷‍♀️

Oh my!!! I never even knew he put the northern accent on in Happy Valley 😱😱😱

Just hoping we don’t have to wait too long, here in USA , for this new series ‼️

Surprised the main focus Sarah Lancashire has done no press at all for Season 3 unless I've missed it. Although she doesn't need any plugging as she's amazing!

Love them all. Where did he get that fabulous jumper.

James voice 😍 off to see if he does audio books 😏😂

The only crime here is that it's only 6 episodes

James Norton is so posh!!!

It's funny he sounds exactly how he does on happy Valley

This gorgeous man should be the next 007....

Episode two: they showed the taser. Chekhov’s Taser.

Are there any series spoilers in this? I’m saving it up so I can binge all of series 3 on a day off ❤️

Claire actually mothered Ryan. Catherine just sacrificed for Ryan. And no one gives Claire a break. Except Neil. Thank goodness for Neil to give her some happiness. One episode left for me to watch. Ryan saying he was trying to figure out for himself how he felt about Tommy was brilliant writing and delivery. Catherine had such empathy for Allison but such hate for some others. She had a range. Best scene coming to Alison’s house. I found myself just yelling at the tv - just tell Ryan. But I do understand the police shelter side of Catherine and why she didn’t. Hate the teacher/husband more than the pharmacist. Some good writing and acting there as well. Could not have been a doctor but wanted to a doctor and family wants to live off income as if he was a doctor. The few lines his daughters had really brought that background out. He was playing doctor with those pills. Gosh Tommy was such a twisted character. Good acting. Back to Neil in a different year he would have been seen as a victim of Victoria Fleming. John as well. Their marriages would not have lasted the affairs that started it but they should not have lost jobs, children, respect from others. Before the murder of Victoria of course. I never felt bad about Victoria or Joanna. It wasn’t hate on Joanna. Her husband took the pills she was supposed to take. I do not even see her as doing illegal drugs. But there was such enjoyment of her husband being in a predicament when missing and when her body discovered. I loved he lost control though all the padlocks in the house. And I don’t blame the pharmacist. She kept changing the story. He and his daughters were threatened higher up. She should not have been killed of course or abused by the husband. The kids need to be away from him. Such a complicated series. Back to the first scene of the entire series think all Ryan needed like the guy in the first scene of season 1 was a demonstration of how petrol turns to flame. Tommy poured petrol on him for pity sakes. So glad I could buy the series and watch the whole of it. Really feel for the fellow about to get married. If Ann just ran the plate number. Gosh. They wanted the uniform’s assist yet they paid them no mind?

Im not gonna lie I honestly thought James Norton (Tommy Lee Royce) was broad Yorkshire!!! Im from Leeds and he got me believing!!!

It's West Yorkshire.

Siobhan Finneran needs to get together with the rest of them and do Rita, Sue and Bob forty years on

Hey @BFI that's Siobhan Finneran not Sarah Lancashire.

James so not like Tommy. Brilliant performance.

There's literally not one bad performance in the whole show

There is scope for a prequel though.

right i was watching this about the dci inspecter that was being blackmailed by his girlfreind so he killed her,well what happened to him did i miss a show,iam on season 3 last episode ,and he just seemed to disapear,no explanation if he was caught

👍

James Norton should play Ultraman in DC Universe he will be amazing and comic book accurate.

I know James is tipped to be 007 but personally think he is too good an actor to be wasted on action nonsense.

Just Wonderful ! makes Line of Duty look very average

This series is brilliant. I hate Tommy Lee Royce but then I'm supposed to. James Norton reminds me a bit of a diluted Tom Hardy .. just a bit

Poor Siobahn Finneran looked really uncomfortable in this sea of luvvedom 😂 James Norton is a great actor from hooray to Tommy Lee Royce!

I cannot believe I never watched series 1 and 2 but I thought il watch both series then watch series 3 omg I was hooked the best thing I’ve ever seen for a long long time , the actors the scenery the location just awesome British tv at its best ❤

🌹🖤🌹🇦🇺

l wonder if anybody will speak with a Yorkshire accent in this next one. Coming from York James Norton really ought to be able to do it.

Sarah Lancashire is missing? I hope it is not bad omen…

Isnt he good in this, very sinister. He was great in McMafia too, completly different character.

👌👏👏👏👏👏❤❤❤

Was it wrong to be yelling 'go on Tommy' at the screen when he leapt over the court screen? 🤪

Claire’s bf is dodgy he might be a rug pull guy.

The one dimensional young Asian policeman in series 1 with ay bye gum Yorkshire accent was a travesty a complete joke. I live in the area and you would never get a young Asian policeman who looked like him and with a half a ton of make up on and who never ever speak 🗣️ like that. PC gone wrong here although the other young woman white police officer was miscast. Siobahn Finneran and Sarah Lancashire and others excellent 👍

I haven't even bothered watching season 3 yet cause I've lost the hype of this show after having to wait for so long

James Norton is a good but typical actor wanting constant centre stage. So much upstaging in this interview, and the sloppy jumper is very stereotypical. Ms Lancashire, 'the star of the production', said far more by not being there. Much respect for a great and tactful actress.

absolutely stupid they waited so long for season 3. All they had to do was find an actor that could of looked similar to ryan as a teenager... No one would of noticed the difference.