Happy Valley was one of the biggest shows on TV during its run – but the residents of the town where it was filmed aren’t happy about that anymore.
The BBC cop drama, which starred Sarah Lancashire and James Norton, was a huge hit with TV critics and pulled in 7.5million viewers for its final episode.
But it doesn’t appear to have remained popular with the locals of Hebden Bridge – the Yorkshire market town where Sally Wainwright’s series was filmed.
Known for its alternative lifestyle and culture, Hebden Bridge has been a tourist spot in the north of England for years – but things might have gone a step too far.
Wainwright has plans to return to the famous Calderdale spot to film her next series, Riot Women, but residents have already expressed their discontent.
Speaking to MailOnline, those who call Hebden Bridge home have noticed an uptick in stag dos and hen parties and alcohol-related violence since gaining a ‘global appeal’.
A shopkeeper told them: ‘What inflames the matter are emails and letters from the production company with statements such as, “Filming of this nature serves to bolster Hebden Bridge’s global appeal as a front-running tourist destination.”
‘But the only businesses that are really benefitting are the pubs. Violence, drugs, and drinking is the reality.’
Riot Women will follow the story of five women who start a punk rock band and enter a regional competition, only to find out that the world of punk is more than they signed up for.
On the other side of the argument, those in favour of the BBC coming to the town have said the place is ‘thriving’ and have accused others of wanting Hebden Bridge to remain ‘a Northern wasteland’.
However, another local business owner claims that more filming in the area has now caused their profits to drop, with only specific types of retail industries benefiting.
‘I’m really proud of our town and delighted that, overall, it’s benefitting from all the attention. However, it all really depends on what your business is.’
They continued: ‘If you’re a cafe, restaurant or pub then you’re doing a roaring trade. It’s the niche shops who cater for locals that are losing trade and income.’
Locals also claimed that entire roads in Hebden Bridge are being closed while filming takes place, and accused shows like Happy Valley of making the town look like a ‘dystopian hellhole’.
According to the Halifax Courier, Hebden Bridge attracted over 200,000 visitors in July 2019 alone, which is significantly larger than the town’s population of just 5k people.
Happy Valley began in 2014 and produced three seasons over nine years, winning several awards along the way.
The series followed Lancashire’s character, police officer Catherine Cawood, who is a divorced police sergeant recovering from the suicide of her daughter eight years earlier.
When she finds out that the man responsible for her daughter’s death has been released from prison, she sets out to confront him.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC.
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Watch Happy Valley on BBC iPlayer.
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