The second season of the multi BAFTA award-winning Happy Valley is premiering on BBC First on Sunday May 1 at 8.30pm.

Once again starring Sarah Lancashire (Last Tango in Halifax), James Norton (War and Peace) and Siobhan Finneran (Downton Abbey), together with new cast members Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey) and Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter), the series has proved phenomenally popular in the UK where the second series finale aired to an audience of 9.3 million viewers.

As series two opens, we join Catherine (Lancashire), the altruistic and forthright police sergeant who is back heading up her team of dedicated police officers in The Calder Valley in West Yorkshire. Tommy Lee Royce (Norton) is now behind bars, but continues to haunt Catherine as she rebuilds her life. There are suspicions that a serial killer is behind a spate of murders and Catherine makes a gruesome discovery that has shocking repercussions for her and her family.

Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant John Wadsworth (Doyle) has his own set of problems, and despite being in prison, Tommy forms a bond with a mysterious female admirer (Henderson).

Tim Christlieb, Director of Channels, BBC Worldwide Australia and New Zealand, said: “As The Night Manager draws to its thrilling conclusion, BBC First will continue to bring viewers cracking Sunday night drama with Happy Valley which has gripped UK audiences in the millions and which we’re sure that Australian audiences will find equally as enthralling.”