Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Happy Valley viewers highlight small character who could play important role in episode 6

Fans are on the hunt for clues about how BBC series will end

Jacob Stolworthy
Thursday 02 February 2023 08:50 GMT
Comments
Happy Valley final episode trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Happy Valley fans are trying to work out clues about what will happen in the finale.

The BBC drama, created by Sally Wainwright, will air its last ever episode on Sunday (5 February) as the third series draws to a close.

Fans are hoping that Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire), who is days away from retirement, will make it out of the series alive despite the fact that newly escaped prisoner Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton) is after her.

They are also hoping that her grandson, Ryan (Rhys Connah), will do the right thing and reject his murderous father’s attempts to lure him to Spain.

Whatever happens, some fans believe that there’s one character who could play an instrumental part in how things play out.

This character is Alison Garrs (Susan Lynch).

Alison first appeared in series two as the mother of serial killer Daryl (Robert Emms). After he confessed to his mother, she shot him dead, wanting him to avoid jail time, and took an overdose. Alison survived and Catherine, appreciating the mercy she took on her son, reluctantly arrested her.

In series three, it’s revealed Alison has been released on probation, and Catherine has struck up something of a friendship with her. Alison even lends Catherine the car she uses to follow her sister (Siobhan Finneran) as she escorts Ryan to see Tommy in prison.

The last we saw of Alison, she was helping fix up the vehicle Catherine’s hoping to drive to the Himalayas post-retirement.

However, while she was completely absent in episode five, it’s been pointed out that Lynch is on the list of credits for the finale – and, with a handful of scenes in earlier episodes, it’s believed that she will have a big part to play.

Susan Lynch as Alison Garrs in ‘Happy Valley’
Susan Lynch as Alison Garrs in ‘Happy Valley’ (BBC)

Quite what this is remains to be seen, but it’s being theorised that perhaps Alison could witness Tommy lurking around Catherine, who is trying to find the right moment to kill her.

Reddit user u/M1ke2345 wrote (via Express): “There’s going to be some kind of payback, in terms of her sacrificing herself to save Catherine I think, kind of in the same way that Catherine saved her by not judging her and just holding her on the doorstep after Alison had shot her son, and making herself available for Alison when she came out of prison.”

Happy Valley concludes on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday (5 February).

Find the biggest talking points from the latest episode here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in