Many of us are still devastated Happy Valley has come to an end but there’s a new gritty Yorkshire-based BBC crime drama looking to replace it.
Yes, it still doesn’t feel right that after three series and a thrilling conclusion, which aired on Sunday evening, Happy Valley is no more. Lots are now looking for something to replace it and the BBC are sticking to the formula by offering another hard-hitting drama set in Yorkshire.
Better, set and shot entirely in Leeds and West Yorkshire, explores the complex bonds of loyalty and family. BBC publicity suggests the cop drama is set in a world where everyone has their own version of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.
Read more: ITV's Yorkshire Ripper drama filming in Leeds
Viewers will follow DI Lou Slack, played by Leila Farzad, and her battle to find redemption. For her, it will hopefully come in the shape of bringing down Col McHugh, played Andrew Buchan, who previously she came to care for like a brother to her but is now head of Leeds criminal underworld.
Viewers based in Leeds and Yorkshire will likely recognise many of the filming locations of Better, which always stars Charley Webb in her first role since leaving Emmerdale, and its stars have spoken about the fun they’ve had making the show in the region.
Leila, who you might recognise from I Hate Suzie and Avenue 5, said those playing Lou’s family Zake Ford Williams, cast as her son Owen, and Sam Edward Cook, who plays husband Ceri, went out as a three in Leeds to prepare for their roles.
Leila said: “Sam and I had an instant banter, we shared a sense of humour, which was great and really good at building the sense of the marriage that has been going on for years. Zak was a delight, so open and warm and easy to connect with. We went for some ‘family meals’ in Leeds to try and build the sense of familial bonding between us.”
Sam added: “I'm a local lad, I'm from York originally, but I know Leeds very well and I spent a lot of time here as a kid. So, it's lovely to be up north and to be near home for a while.
“Leeds is a great city and the local crew have been brilliant. Most of us are all from up north and it's just lovely, it's a big family. Leeds as a city is fantastic.
“It's a great place to work and there's never a dull moment. I'm actually staying right in the centre of Leeds, and it is pretty wild on a weekend, it's a thriving city.”
Take our quiz to find out which Happy Valley character you are - if you can't see it, click here.
While Cold Feet star and presenter Ceallach Spellman will appear as Donal McHugh in Better. Similar to some of his other co-stars he has ties to Leeds and Yorkshire.
He said: “My mum's from Dewsbury which isn't too far from Leeds. So, I had spent time in Leeds, I've got a couple of friends up there, but I hadn't been back for a while. It was amazing to see how Leeds had changed. There was such a vibrancy to it, so much going on. It had these distinct, cool areas, so to spend time there was mint. Filming there was class and I just love the north in general. Being from Manchester, it's a home away from home. It's great to see more series being made up north.
“There are more characters being written for working class people, northern working-class people and whilst more can be done, it's so great to have these dramas that are set in these places and set in that world. I just hope that we've done Leeds justice and that people from Leeds and Yorkshire are happy with that as well.”
The first episode of Better will air on BBC 1 at 9pm on Monday, February 13
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