James Norton hails Happy Valley as ‘revolutionary’ ahead of show’s return

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James Norton Hails Happy Valley As ‘Revolutionary’ Ahead Of Show’s Return
The actor stars as notorious villain Tommy Lee Royce in the BBC One drama. Photo: PA
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By Connie Evans, PA Entertainment Reporter

James Norton has hailed Happy Valley as a “revolutionary” programme for pioneering layered, female-led stories on screen.

The 37-year-old actor stars as notorious villain Tommy Lee Royce in the BBC drama, which is set to return for a third and final series on New Year’s Day.

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Speaking to the Sunday Times Culture magazine, Norton reflected on the impact of the show, which is written by Sally Wainwright and follows Sergeant Catherine Cawood – played by Sarah Lancashire – on the trail of the murderer and sex offender.

“Making a show with a character who is both a grandmother and a hardcore Robocop hero does not feel unique now,” Norton said.

“But the first two series turned people’s heads because the premise seemed so absurd. Women were not only under-represented but badly represented.

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“Violence towards women was written by men and titillating in tone. Then Sally did this deft thing where a lot of the sexual violence was implied. That was Sally denying the audience any titillation.

“That was revolutionary.”

Asked how he copes with playing such a dark and twisted role in the series, which first aired in 2014, Norton said: “I mean, I just sort of do.

“There are parts of Tommy’s story which were inevitably uncomfortable. I had weird dreams about violence. But not everybody goes off set to their trailer to cry.

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Happy Valley
James Norton as Tommy Lee Royce in hit BBC drama Happy Valley (Matt Squire/BBC/PA)

“I love my job, but, ultimately, acting is pretending. At the end of the day I’m usually tired and I want to have a bath, a beer and to decompress.

“It’s not like I’m going home and thinking ‘I can’t get Tommy out of my head’.”

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Norton also spoke about his forthcoming project, a stage adaptation of Hanya Yanagihara’s Booker Prize-nominated A Little Life.

The McMafia actor admitted he is “worried” about the intensity of the performance and the prospect of performing for up to eight hours a day.

“I know this is going to cost me a lot,” he said, adding: “In light of this job I do slightly regret being as flippant as I was.”

Happy Valley returns on January 1st at 9pm on BBC One

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