James Norton has said the long-awaited second series of Happy Valley is 'as powerful' as the first.
The downbeat drama, written by Last Tango In Halifax’s Sally Wainwright, sees the 30-year-old reprise his role as psychotic killer Tommy Lee Royce.
James Norton in series two of Happy Valley (Red Productions/BBC)
Set in the Yorkshire Valleys, it stars Sarah Lancashire as Tommy’s nemesis, police sergeant Catherine Cawood.
Happy Valley captured the imagination of viewers, drawing an impressive consolidated audience of 7.8 million for its series one finale in 2014.
“The last series, we were the underdog, we had everything to prove, so nothing to lose,” said James. “But now, with the success of the first series, of course there’s that inevitable second series fear.”
Sarah Lancashire was persuaded to return for series two of Happy Valley (Red Productions/BBC)
Scriptwriter Sally had to convince Last Tango In Halifax’s Sarah to return, and fans hope Happy Valley will avoid the mixed reaction that greeted series two of ITV’s Broadchuch.
“Sally’s such a talented writer. I think she’s taken intentional steps to make it a slightly different feel, different structure,” James said.
He added: “It’s as good. I think it’s as powerful, if not better. That’s why I wanted to be in more of it.”
James Norton faces up to prison life in series two of Happy Valley (Red Productions/BBC)
The London-born actor had not expected to play a part in the follow-up because the first instalment ended with the police apprehending his character for kidnap and murder.
“I was surprised. I must’ve been one of the last to get the call,” he said. “There wasn’t any guarantee I’d be there.”
Dedicated and professional in her job, Catherine’s personal life is littered with family tragedies; she believes Tommy is responsible for her daughter’s rape and eventual suicide.
Happy Valley returns with a second series (Red Productions/BBC)
Grandson Ryan (Rhys Connah) was conceived as a result of the assault.
The policewoman also has a broken marriage and an estranged son. Her sister Clare (Downton Abbey’s Siobhan Finneran) was in recovery from heroin addiction, but has fallen off the wagon.
Siobhan Finneran fights heroin addiction in Happy Valley series two (Red Productions/BBC)
As the second series gets under way tonight, a bare-headed Tommy is in jail.
“I’ve never shaved my head before,” James admitted.
“We talked a lot about how we wanted to present him 18 months on from the first series. I think that for someone like Tommy going into prison, he has two choices: either collapse and be destroyed by it or confront it and take control. We decided that obviously Tommy would do the latter.”
The dynamic between Catherine and Tommy was a highlight in 2014, but series two will see the unhinged man find a penpal, played by Harry Potter actress Shirley Henderson.
Shirley Henderson will play a penpal (Red Productions/BBC)
“It starts with a letter and then friendship and starts to become this very bizarre relationship,” the War and Peace actor revealed. “It’s been a wonderful relationship to explore with Shirley Henderson, who’s amazing.”
He added: “Any time there’s any sense of hope for Tommy, it’s always taken away from him.”
With little to do other than work-out, the imprisoned man’s focus is on his adversary.
“He does love his son. But it’s always about Catherine because in his head, she’s the person who put him in prison,” James said.
The first bleak series contained disturbing scenes, in particular a bloody fight between Catherine and Tommy which sparked some complaints to media watchdog Ofcom.
“There are bits of violence in it again,” the Yorkshire-raised star said. “Catherine’s a copper in Halifax and the great thing about Happy Valley is the setting.”
He added: “Parts of the north are grim… It’s grim up north.”
Happy Valley series 2 premieres tonight on BBC One at 9pm
