Key Highlights
- Sally Wainwright creates iconic television series such as Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack.
- BBC series Happy Valley is acclaimed for its compelling characters, family dynamics, and suspenseful plotlines.
- Wainwright’s work often focuses on female characters and domestic settings, as seen in her series Last Tango in Halifax.
- The writer attributes her success to a willingness to take risks, such as the seven-year gap between seasons of Happy Valley.
Profile: Sally Wainwright’s Iconic Television Series
Sally Wainwright has established herself as one of Britain’s most respected television writers through her compelling storytelling and complex characters. Her body of work, spanning over three decades, includes critically acclaimed series such as Happy Valley (2014-23) and Gentleman Jack (2019-22).
Wainwright’s work often centers on domestic settings, exploring the lives of women in depth. The 2014-23 series Happy Valley, for instance, follows the professional and personal life of Sergeant Catherine Cawood (played by Sarah Lancashire) through a crime drama lens. The show has garnered global acclaim, with admirers including Bob Dylan, Lena Dunham, Guillermo del Toro, and Australian producer Bruna Papandrea.
The Making of Happy Valley
Wainwright’s approach to writing is characterized by her willingness to take calculated risks. One notable example was the seven-year gap between the second and third seasons of Happy Valley. This delay allowed for the natural aging of actor James Norton, who played the chilling villain and Catherine’s grandson.
“Sally writes brilliant thriller plots,” explains James Norton. “People want to know what happens next and come back for it every week.” However, according to Norton, the real driving force behind Happy Valley‘s success is its characters: “What really drives Happy Valley are the characters, the family, the relationships between those characters; it’s blood, really. That’s why it’s universally appealing.”
A Generous and Confident Creator
Born in Yorkshire, Wainwright moved to London after university and has since become a prominent figure in British television. Her early work included scripts for radio serials like The Archers before transitioning to the popular soap opera Coronation Street. Here she collaborated with key actors such as Sarah Lancashire, Suranne Jones, Amelia Bullmore, and Anne Reid.
Wainwright credits her mentorship from Kay Mellor for encouraging her to generate original projects.
This led to series like At Home with the Braithwaites, a four-season saga that explored the lives of an ordinary family after winning the lottery. Other notable works include Scott & Bailey (2011-16) and Last Tango in Halifax (2012-20).
The Future of Sally Wainwright’s Work
Currently, Wainwright is developing new projects that continue to showcase her signature style. Her latest series, Riot Women, which finished post-production in July 2025, explores the lives of a middle-aged rock band set against the backdrop of menopause. This work reflects another aspect of Wainwright’s writing—her focus on characters who face significant life changes.
Despite her success, Wainwright remains humble and generous, often praising other works she admires, such as Deadloch, created by Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. “I love the humour,” she says. “It’s shot with such sincerity: the music is so sincere and Kate Box’s performance is so sincere.
Then there’s everything around her: she’s like a centre of sanity in a mad, mad world.”
With a rich body of work that spans various genres and settings, Sally Wainwright continues to be an influential voice in British television. Her ability to create compelling characters and complex storylines ensures her place among the best writers of our time.
