Photo: BBC

Can’t believe it’s over… The award-winning BBC police drama Happy Valley concluded last night with a powerful finale, watched by 7.5 million viewers. Such brilliant TV. Genius writing courtesy of Sally Wainwright and superb acting led by Sarah Lancashire. How good is it to see an authentic, 50-something woman as the star of the show?

Every episode is full of excellent quotes and laugh-out-loud one-liners, but my favourite is Sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) talking about ageing and her impending retirement:

‘I’m just becoming the person I always wanted to be.

Don’t take shit off anyone, any more. I say it like it is. I know who I am. Finally.

And I know the be-all and end-all isn’t necessarily to get myself hitched to the first flaky twat of a man who happens along.’

There’s a great feature on Catherine Cawood/ Sarah Lancashire HERE.

We need more women like this on our screens.