'Happy Valley' will definitely return for a third series.

Sarah Lancashire in Happy Valley

Sarah Lancashire in Happy Valley

The mastermind behind the police drama Sally Wainwright has confirmed that fans haven't seen the last of matriarch Sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) on their screens because she has some "good ideas" for the next installment but fans may need to wait a little while for it.

Speaking at the Edinburgh Television Festival, the award-winning writer said: "It [the third series] will happen but it will be a little while. I have got some good ideas."

However, Sally may need to find a new actress for her lead as Sarah Lancashire believes the second series was the "end of the story" and she doesn't want to return.

The 51-year-old actress said previously: "It's the end of the story for 'Happy Valley'. I wouldn't want it to go to a third series, I really wouldn't - then it becomes something else.

"We set out to tell a story and we have told it.

"The temptation is you see something that is great and you think, 'This can run and run and run', but then it becomes a homogenised, diluted thing."

Meanwhile, although Sally is yet to sit down and take pen to paper, it's believed the next series will see Sergeant Catherine - who is still grieving over her dead daughter - contemplate leaving the corrupt police force as she continues to protect her fragile grandson Ryan (Rhys Conna) from his rapist father Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton) - who is serving time in prison for allegedly raping the officer's daughter - and his conniving girlfriend.


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