Happy Valley

Oddly enough, this British six-part mini-series reminded me of the movie Fargo, though only in its broad outlines. Both of them star a female detective a lot smarter than anyone around her (though Sarah Lancashire in this one is not pregnant). Both involve a kidnapping by a gang of real stupid people, instigated by a cowardly asshole who has no idea what he’s getting into. Other than that, they are totally different. The Coen Brothers played it for dark humor, while the creators of this one could not be more serious. It takes place in the town of Halifax in Yorkshire, in the north of England (I hadn’t been aware there were two Halifaxes). It is intense, well-written and acted. There will be another season (again, like the Fargo TV show) and I will watch it.