Is Sarah Lancashire’s celebrated character Catherine Cawood based on a real person? Here’s what Sally Wainwright has said on the subject
January 17, 2023 - 11:36 GMT Emmy Griffiths Happy Valley is the show everyone is talking about at the moment, with fans demanding that Sarah Lancashire receives a BAFTA for her third and final outing as Sergeant Catherine Cawood. But is the no-nonsense character based on a real person?
According to the show’s writer and creator, Sally Wainwright, the answer is both yes and no. Upon researching sergeants when writing the series, she was put in touch with an officer who was once an old-school friend, and the officer’s personality formed the character of Catherine.
"We spent a lot of time together. I nicked a lot of stuff about her, not too personal, but her attitude, her way of dealing with things."She also opened up about finding inspiration for her other characters, saying:"They tend to be amalgamations of people. I’ve never actually ever nicked anyone lock, stock and barrel, that I’m aware of. It tends to be nicked from here and there, from different people I’ve come across over the years.
"And some people I use a lot, I have a friend and I use her - 'use' sounds terrible - but she makes me laugh and I take a lot of inspiration from her mad lifestyle and mad life. She’s a fantastic, brilliant person. An unofficial standup comedian, everything she does and says is funny. She helps me a lot."
Like this story? Sign up to our What to Watch newsletter and get the heads-up on the shows and films everyone’s talking about.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Happy Valley' Is the Best Show on TVI have the scientific evidence to prove it
Read more »
Happy Valley creator reveals secret twisted meaning behind BBC series' titleHAPPY Valley creator Sally Wainwright has opened up on the secret meaning behind the show as it continues to receive rave reviews in its third and final series. The BBC One drama finally hit screen…
Read more »
5 Sally Wainwright-penned shows to watch if you love Happy ValleyHappy Valley is one of BBC's most popular shows of all-time, but did the know the genius screenwriter behind the drama – Sally Wainwright – has written several other shows?
Read more »
From cobbles to gritty Happy Valley, the hidden struggle of Sarah LancashireBorn in 1964 along with her twin, Sarah was never too far from the world of soap operas as her dad Geoffrey was a TV scriptwriter for Coronation Street
Read more »
Happy Valley star 'can't stand' himself in early seasons of BBC dramaHappy Valley star Rhys Connah said he cringes watching back seasons one and two of the blockbuster BBC drama. 'I'm some tiny little annoying guy that does everything wrong, messes it all up, has a squeaky voice.'
Read more »
Why you should segment your day by ‘happy work’ and ‘work-y work’Could segmenting your day into ‘happy work’ and ‘worky work’ bring more joy to your job?
Read more »