Happy Valley villain James Norton shares a behind the scenes look
Happy Valley villain James Norton poses in his boxers, shows off his wounds and shares sweet snaps with onscreen son in behind the scenes look at series one ahead of finale
He is the spine-tingling Happy Valley villain who is on the run from the law with a plan to kidnap his son Ryan ahead of the show’s grand finale.
But behind the scenes, James Norton appears a much more likeable chap, as he shared a series of fun snaps with the cast and crew from series one.
James, 37, who plays Tommy Lee Royce, showed off a nasty-looking cut in one particularly gruesome snap as he took some time out between scenes.
In another shot the funnyman larked around with two members of the make-up team, posing in just a pair of boxers and a long-sleeved top.
James was showing off his trademark blond hair from the first series, which saw him kidnap and torture Ann Gallagher in a horrifying campaign of assault.
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Looking back: James Norton shared a series of fun snaps with the cast and crew from series one of Happy Valley ahead of the show finale
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Ha! In another shot the funnyman larked around with two members of the make-up team, posing in just a pair of boxers and a long-sleeved top
The star also shared some pictures of his on-screen son Ryan Clark [Rhys Connah] as a young child actor, pulling some funny expressions in his school uniform.
The father and son duo also posed with a framed series of snaps of them together, in a frame which was decorated with the words ‘The Boys’.
The actor said he was sharing some ‘Happy Valley love’ and asked fans to indulge him as he shared series one pictures.
Sarah Lancashire also featured in the gallery of images, wearing her police uniform while covered in blood after one of her explosive scenes.
Members of the cast also gathered round for a table read ahead of filming to get a feel for the script.
Another throwback to series one was a snap of Sophie Rundle’s character Kirsten McAskill, who was run down twice by Tommy with his car.
It comes after Con O’Neill has promised fans that the finale will be sure to please loyal viewers of the drama series.
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Larking about: The star also shared some pictures of his on-screen son Ryan Clark [Rhys Connah] as a young child actor, pulling some funny expressions in his school uniform
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Aw! The father and son duo also posed with a framed series of snaps of them together, in a frame which was decorated with the words ‘The Boys’
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All ok officer? Sarah Lancashire also featured in the gallery of images, wearing her police uniform while covered in blood after one of her explosive scenes
Con, 56, who plays Neil Ackroyd, appeared on Thursday’s episode of This Morning where he teased details of the episode with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
He said: ‘Viewers are going to enjoy. When I read the script for the last episode it blew my mind. Sally [Wainwright] has written an extraordinary ending.’
Holly then asked if it had been hard for Con and his co-stars to keep the ending under wraps.
He explained: ‘It’s not a hard secret to keep as we’ve lived with this show for a long time
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Cast: James recalled character Lewis Whippey [Adam Long] (pictured right) who had recently been released from prison in series one
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Getting down to it! Members of the cast also gathered round for a table read ahead of filming to get a feel for the script
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Ouch! James shared a smiling selfie from a stretcher while covered in fake blood
‘The way Sally has brought it home and ended it is extraordinary.’
He added of the popularity of the show in general: ‘Isn’t it wonderful to have a show not just dropping every episode and to have that tension.
‘It’s so refreshing that people are that invested.’
A trailer for the final episode of Happy Valley was released this week ahead of the upcoming finale on Sunday.
The 16 second clip teases the final showdown between Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) and Tommy Lee Royce (James) after his daring escape from court before the police sergeant is shown breaking down in tears.
The trailer opens with Tommy’s son Ryan (Rhys Connah) being questioned by police about when he last had contact with his dangerous dad.
A series of scenes of the police moving in on Tommy follow as Catherine is heard saying ‘he’s still out there, he’s going to be angry and he’s going to be even more desperate and dangerous’.
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Keeping warm! James wrapped up in a fur trim jacket while in between takes
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Ah! Tommy kidnapped and raped Ann Gallagher [left] during horrific scenes in series one
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Nasty end: Another throwback to series one was a snap of Sophie Rundle’s character Kirsten McAskill (pictured), who was run down twice by Tommy with his car
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Laugh a minute: James appeared far happier off camera away from his role as villainous Tommy
The short clip ends with a bloodied Tommy appearing to hit somebody on the ground and a final shot of Catherine in tears.
Viewers tuned into the breathless penultimate episode of the BBC drama on Sunday evening as Tommy revealed his grand plans.
Tommy escaped at the end of the fourth episode of this series with fans learning in Sunday’s fifth instalment that he planned to run off to Marbella, with his son Ryan in tow.
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Watching you: In one harrowing image Tommy spied on his son Ryan
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Aw: Rhys also took a trip down memory lane as he shared snaps with his on-screen uncle Daniel Cawood [Karl Davies]
Viewers admitted they could barely watch the dramatic episode as everything lined up for a dramatic showdown between Tommy and Sargent Catherine, as he revealed he plans to kill her before jetting off to Spain.
Producers are said to be so desperate to keep the show’s climax a secret that they have filmed five different endings.
More than six million viewers are expected to tune in on Sunday to learn how the cat-and-mouse game will be resolved.
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Recently: Rhys shared a recent snap with Karl from this series
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