
*Warning: This article contains spoilers for Happy Valley season 3 episode 6*
Happy Valley star James Norton disclosed that subtitles are used by American viewers of the successful BBC programme.
The series’ last episode aired on Sunday, becoming the most-watched BBC broadcast in 2023, with a record-breaking 7.5 million viewers turning in.
After tussling for Ryan Cawood’s (Rhys Connah) affections, Catherine Cawood (Lancashire) and Tommy Lee Royce (James) faced up in a dramatic battle in the climax.
Their heated exchange also featured psychopath Tommy dousing himself with petrol and burning himself on fire, resulting in a full-circle scene as Catherine attempts to persuade him not to, just as she did with another criminal in the series’ first episode back in 2014.
Tommy subsequently dies after falling into a coma, and Catherine receives the news through text message while visiting her daughter’s grave.

The entire series has received critical acclaim, and actor James, 37, has expressed his surprise at how well the series has been received by fans throughout the world.
‘I mean, the way shows like Happy Valley travel over to America, it’s amazing,’ he said.
‘I feel so proud when I go over there, and random people come up to me on the street and talk to me about Hebden Bridge… They watch it with subtitles on, but they love it.’

He added: ‘And it’s an amazing advert for this country. So, I think we need to keep nurturing the arts.’
In an interview with GQ, the celebrity also discussed having to say goodbye to his alter-ego, Tommy.
‘I recognise there are absolutely despicable acts which he has committed along the way,’ he said.
‘But along that journey, I have been with him for ten years, I feel deeply sorry for him. I feel immense pity and empathy and I sort of really love him.’
James also described the series writers as ‘absolute heroes’ and ‘queens of our industry’, before saying it was an ‘absolute privilege’ to work with them.
Happy Valley is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.