September 2nd 2024.
Fans of Sally Wainwright's new series may be disappointed to hear that the show has already lost some of its fan base. Happy Valley, a popular BBC cop drama starring Sarah Lancashire and James Norton, was once a huge hit with TV critics and drew in a whopping 7.5 million viewers for its final episode. However, it seems that the town where the series was filmed is not as happy about its fame as it once was.
Hebden Bridge, the picturesque market town in Yorkshire where Sally Wainwright's series was shot, has long been a popular tourist destination due to its alternative lifestyle and culture. However, since the success of Happy Valley, things may have gone a bit too far. The town has seen an increase in stag and hen parties, as well as a rise in alcohol-related violence, which has caused some locals to express their discontent.
Wainwright has plans to return to Hebden Bridge to film her next series, Riot Women, but it seems that not everyone is excited about the prospect. In an interview with MailOnline, residents have expressed their concern about the negative impact the filming may have on their town. One shopkeeper shared, "What inflames the matter are emails and letters from the production company with statements such as, 'Filming of this nature serves to bolster Hebden Bridge's global appeal as a front-running tourist destination.' But the only businesses that are really benefiting are the pubs. Violence, drugs, and drinking is the reality."
Riot Women will follow the story of five women who start a punk rock band and enter a regional competition, only to find out that the world of punk is more than they signed up for. The success of Happy Valley has divided the locals, with some claiming that the town is thriving because of the attention, while others believe it is causing more harm than good.
On one hand, those in favor of the BBC coming to Hebden Bridge have accused others of wanting the town to remain a "Northern wasteland." However, some local business owners have seen a drop in profits due to the increase in filming. "I'm really proud of our town and delighted that, overall, it's benefitting from all the attention. However, it all really depends on what your business is," one owner shared. "If you're a cafe, restaurant or pub then you're doing a roaring trade. It's the niche shops who cater for locals that are losing trade and income."
Locals have also expressed frustration with the road closures and the way shows like Happy Valley portray the town as a "dystopian hellhole." According to the Halifax Courier, Hebden Bridge saw over 200,000 visitors in July 2019 alone, which is significantly more than its population of just 5,000 people.
Happy Valley, which aired its first season in 2014 and produced three seasons over nine years, won several awards and gained a loyal fan base. The show followed Lancashire's character, police officer Catherine Cawood, as she dealt with the aftermath of her daughter's suicide and sought justice for her death. Despite its success, it seems that not everyone is happy about the attention the show brought to their town.
The Agency has reached out to the BBC for comment. For those interested in watching Happy Valley, it is available on BBC iPlayer. And if you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can get in touch with The Agency entertainment team by emailing us, calling 020 3615 2145, or visiting our Submit Stuff page. We'd love to hear from you.
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