January 26th 2025.
Sarah Lancashire is back in the spotlight once again, but this time it's not for her award-winning role as Catherine Cawood in Happy Valley. Reports have surfaced that her latest TV advert for Yorkshire Tea may be in violation of strict BBC guidelines.
The talented actress, who hails from Oldham, has an impressive resume that includes various major projects such as Coronation Street and the popular Netflix series Black Doves. However, her portrayal of the no-nonsense police officer in Happy Valley has earned her a special place in the hearts of fans.
In the new advert, Lancashire takes on the role of a security guard for the tea brand. Fans couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance between her character and that of Catherine Cawood. Lancashire made her debut in the ad, which aired last week, and has since become a hit with viewers.
The advert starts off with Lancashire investigating a missing packet of biscuits, but to her surprise, she realizes that she had actually eaten them herself. However, this portrayal of a security guard with similarities to Cawood's persona, voice, and physicality could potentially land Lancashire in trouble with the BBC.
The BBC has strict guidelines in place to prevent their characters, brands, and programmes from being exploited by third parties. One of these guidelines states that actors and artists should not appear in promotional work, including advertisements, that mimics or replicates their on-air roles for the BBC.
It is unclear whether permission was sought from the BBC before filming the Yorkshire Tea ad, but it has been warmly received by viewers. Many have taken to social media to praise Lancashire's performance, with some even calling it "amazing."
Happy Valley, which ran for three series from 2014 to 2024, garnered critical acclaim and won numerous awards. Alongside Lancashire, the series also featured talented actors such as James Norton, Siobhan Finneran, Sophie Rundle, Steve Pemberton, Katherine Kelly, and Amelia Bullmore. The final series had an average of 9.16 million viewers and Cawood's final showdown with Tommy Lee was voted as Bafta's most memorable moment.
The BBC declined to comment on the situation, and representatives for Sarah Lancashire have not responded to requests for comment. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can get in touch with the entertainment team at The Agency by emailing us, calling 020 3615 2145, or visiting our Submit Stuff page. We'd love to hear from you.
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