While the police character trope is as old as television itself Sergeant Catherine Cawood from the Netflix series Happy Valley shines as one of the finest portrayals of an officer in uniform. Series creator Sally Wainwright and actress Sarah Lancashire have crafted one of television’s greatest characters. Sergeant Cawood possesses a sobering depth, reality and vulnerability rarely seen from characters in her line of work.
Police are easy characters to make heroes because of the selfless acts they perform and the danger they put themselves in for others’ benefit. But something Happy Valley does better than most is clearly illustrate that with the bravado of the badge comes the crushing weight of working in such an emotionally tumultuous, pressure-filled world — while Catherine still has to balance the crushing weight of holding her fractured home life together.
Sergeant Cawood is the kind of cop audiences love to root for as she works in West Yorkshire (the area being a popular location for many British productions). The authenticity of her character is what makes her so believable. The continual struggles Cawood has over doing what is right, rather than what her emotions want, keep the character grounded. Audiences can sense the dark desires trying to overrule her discipline as a responsible and compassionate police officer. But whereas other media has showcased police corruption or depicted the hero’s moral compass as a weakness, in Happy Valley, Cawood’s integrity makes her feel genuine.
The series lets audiences see the psychological armor Cawood puts around herself while on duty — amplifying her bravery, strength and compassion for the people she serves and protects, juxtaposed with her personal life. Viewers also watch as she battles turmoil at home, caring for her grandson after the death of her daughter — while the child’s criminal father continually plots to insert himself into his son’s life. Cawood is surrounded by stress, and just like in real life, that has a continual and exhausting effect. There is a sense that she knows she must keep going regardless of what’s thrown in front of her, because in both her home and work lives, people depend on her too much.
Only part of Cawood’s success is due to Lancashire’s performance; the other half is what Wainwright puts on the page. The writer, producer and director hails from West Yorkshire, and solidifies the character’s credibility — as well as the show’s — with her attention to detail and her thoughtfulness about how the community and its people are portrayed. Happy Valley doesn’t try to add more drama than it needs to; instead it relies on Lancashire to be the emotional epicenter of the show. Wainwright told WalesOnline that she crafted the role of Sergeant Cawood specifically with Lancashire in mind, and that synergy between writer and actor is evident.
The show has garnered a dedicated global audience during its first two seasons, and Wainwright has finished writing Season 3 after more than six years of waiting. Very few shows can survive after a break that long and still feel confident that audiences will want to come back (except for Doctor Who), which speaks to the quality of Happy Valley and how well the character of Catherine Cawood has connected with viewers. She continues to resonate with audiences because of her enormous heart and vulnerability. By putting the character’s humanity first, the series makes her more than an ordinary cop — and that’s why she’s one of the best.
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