Two of TV's most popular female crime solvers went head to head in the ratings war on Sunday night (January 15). BBC One's Happy Valley, featuring Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood, was on from 9pm to 10pm - with ITV bringing back Brenda Blethyn as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope for a two hour drama
Some viewers were left annoyed that were having to choose. Adele McSorley tweeted: "Arghh who puts the new series of Vera on to clash with Happy Valley!! Devastation right there."
And @Tilly5001 said: "Like clash of the drama titans tonight. Love Vera and Happy Valley. Thanks ITV and BBC for the scheduling nightmare.
"Both are so popular that watching one tonight and trying to catch the other another day will be ruined by talk about it at work tomorrow."
And @davidwWa53158736 lamented: "Why oh why did they put Vera on at the same time as Happy Valley?"
Paul Street said: "Pottery throw down, Happy Valley and Vera on all at the same time this evening. This is going to take some strategic planning."
However, viewers that were able to watch both, were delighted by the quality of both episodes - which suggests (nearly) everyone was a winner. ITV viewers were quick to praise the most recent episode of Vera - although there was some confusion about whether or not this was a new series.
ITV says the current run of she six self-contained crime stories includes two episode from series eleven and four episodes from series twelve. Once again, they have been inspired by the best-selling novels and characters created by acclaimed crime writer Ann Cleeves, who received the Diamond Dagger Award at the Crime Writer’s Association in 2017 for a lifetime achievement for sustained excellence.
Sunday's episode 'Vital Signs' saw Vera called out to the scene of the body found in the back of a burned-out car. When it's identified as a popular local GP, a world of intrigue opened up - to the delight of fans.
On Twitter, @clairewinslade said it was "brilliant as usual" - a sentiment shared by many.
JemRycraft tweeted: "All the twists and turns. It’s been excellent. A brilliant cast led by Brenda Blethyn - every good drama is full of well crafted secrets and lies."
Amanda Chapman write: "So happy Vera is back with a new series never disappoints great first episode."
@lucylulumusoc dsaid: "Well that was a cracker or an episode, no wonder im so gripped by Vera,"
And Helen Riley said: Superb episode of Vera! I've missed this show so much - can't wait until Sunday for the next one!"
Meanwhile, Happy Valley viewers were just as satsified with their TV choice. @Rebecca4005 said: "Wow! Happy Valley just gets better and better Roll on next week."
And @LeeCollins24 said: "Sarah Lancashire and Siobhan Finneran need every award going. Happy Valley is the greatest piece of television drama I have ever seen."
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