Long-running BBC drama Happy Valley has come to an end. The series - which first aired in 2014 - came to a dramatic conclusion on Sunday night (February 5), with figures showing that the final episode racked up 7.5 million viewers.
Star of the show Sarah Lancashire has gained an army of fans on social media despite not having an account herself. Fans of the actor, however, have shared their "heartbreak" as the curtain fell on the last episode with some comparing the series "up there" with Nottingham favourite police drama, Line of Duty, which starred Wollaton-born Vicky McClure.
Sarah, who plays police officer Catherine Cawood, was at the centre of a nail-biting showdown as she faced her nemesis Tommy Lee Royce, played by James Norton, in the conclusion of the show. As her character faced her last day in uniform before retirement on the programme, the actor's loyal followers took to Twitter.
Read more: BBC Happy Valley's 'powerful ending' praised as Catherine Cawood's fate revealed in finale
After 18 episodes and three series, Sarah hung up her handcuffs and fans reacted on a massive scale. As the last episode came to an end, one fan exclaimed: "Absolutely brilliant! The whole cast were superb."
Another added: "One of if not THE best scenes I have ever witnessed. Humour, sentiment, anger and a bit of sadness… all in the kitchen which was such a big place all the way through. Performed by two great actors." The comments continued: "Gone but never forgotten! One of the best TV dramas of all time, up there with Line of Duty and I Claudius. As with the other two, the perfect alignment of excellent writing of dialogue and plot, interpreted brilliantly by fine actors! Well done to all partners involved!"
Others were late to the party but certainly made up for lost time. One social media user wrote: "Excellent finale. Only started watching a week ago. Binged series one and two and everything up to tonight's finale so I wouldn't get anything spoilt."
Famous faces added their voices to the comments too. Former javelin World Campion and Olympic medallist, Fatima Whitbread, declared: "I'm in mourning…Best programme on television by far and deserves all the accolades that can be awarded. Sally Wainwright (the show's writer), brilliant, equalled by Sarah Lancashire's immeasurable acting. I love them all and what an incredible cast! BAFTA awards all round! You know it's true!"
A fanpage dedicated to Sarah wrote prior to the last show: "My heart is breaking. We will miss you Catherine."
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