Interview with Siobhan Finneran

Were you pleased with the amazing reaction to series one of Happy Valley?
I was thrilled with the response, but I did feel from my first reading of the script it would be a brilliant watch. Sally’s writing is the best - it makes you desperate to get to work and get on with it, and for me Sarah’s performance as Catherine was magnificent, totally outstanding and nothing has come near to it since on TV, and I am doubtful anything ever will!

What we can expect from series two of Happy Valley?
Series two takes us back to Catherine, her family and her job and has a look at where she has managed to get to in the 18 months since we last saw her, and how she and her family have/haven’t coped with all the events of series one, and its on-going presence in their lives.

Tell us a bit about Clare and her story in this series.
Clare has always been Catherine’s support, sounding board and comfort-giver but she too is struggling when we return. She is not the 'rock' we thought she was, and the impact of everything they’ve been through has taken its toll on an already fragile Clare. She is also dealing with her best friend being terminally ill, and a new love interest. She needs Catherine’s help now but is Catherine too wrapped up in her own troubles? We find out about their family history and why they have such an amazing bond that seems unbreakable.

Are there any anecdotes you can tell us about during filming?
Sarah and I have known each other for 30 years and it is an absolute pleasure, in fact an honour, to be on set with her on Happy Valley. We laugh like drains and generally have a great time together. I sometimes wonder how they manage to get us to stop laughing, talking and eating!

What were the biggest challenges you all faced during the shoot?
The biggest challenge in Hebden is usually the weather and the lack of available pies - there’s a good bakery but you have to be there early. Sarah and I never tire of asking if anyone is doing a pie run!

What projects do you have coming up?
I am filming something in the new Year but I can’t talk about it yet!