Happy Valley's Ryan actor says his performance in early episodes was 'annoying'

16 January 2023 , 23:51

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Happy Valley's Ryan actor says his performance in early episodes was 'annoying'

Happy Valley star Rhys ­Connah says he cringed when he watched back his "annoying" performance in early episodes.

The actor, 16, has been Ryan in the BBC drama since he was eight and revisited it as preparation for shooting the third and final series.

Recalling his preparation for the third and final series of the multi-BAFTA winning series, Rhys said he rewatched the show from start to finish in order to gain a full understanding of the storylines and characters but said he was flawed by his "squeaky voice" as a youngster.

Rhys, of Oldham, Greater Manchester, said: "I couldn't stand the sight of myself. I'm like, 'I'm some annoying little guy that does everything wrong, has a squeaky voice'."

Rhys Connah (left) is among the cast of Happy Valley (BBC/Lookout Point/Matt Squire)

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Happy Valley's Clare's death 'confirmed' after tragic final exchange with sister

Happy Valley is a British crime drama that follows the chaotic life of police officer Catherine Carwood (Sarah Lancashire) and her family, including her recovering drug addict sister Clare (Siobhan Finneran), grandson Ryan, and his psychopath father, Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton) who resides in jail for multiple murders.

A huge seven year gap since the last second series of the show, which aired in 2016, left loyal fans wondering whether the show would ever return.

But Rhys explained why writer and creator Sally Wainwright decided to leave it so long, which was partly to do with him growing up.

Rhys, pictured with on-screen dad James Norton (right), has been on the show since he was 8

The cast is led by Sarah Lancashire (pictured) (BBC/Red Productions/Ben Blackall)

He told the Obsessed With Happy Valley Podcast: "I think it was always a plan to have three seasons and the structure they wanted in this season would make more sense when I'm a bit older, such as me going to visit Tommy in prison [...] which wouldn't really have made sense if I was, you know, 12 or 13."

Happy Valley continues on Sunday night from 9pm on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer.

Mark Jefferies