THE penultimate episode of the hit BBC series Happy Valley airs this evening - and it promises to be a drama-packed episode.

The series has gained a huge following since it first hit screens back in 2014 and its now hurtling ever closer to the final ever episode. 

Tension has been building throughout this series, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats in anticipation of how creator Sally Wainwright will tie the loose ends together. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Ryan Cawood, played by Rhys Connah, during episode five of Happy ValleyRyan Cawood, played by Rhys Connah, during episode five of Happy Valley (Image: BBC/Lookout Media/Matt Squire)

Sarah Lancashire has resumed her role as Sergeant Catherine Cawood for the final series. 

In the first episode, Catherine discovered the remains of a gangland murder victim in a drained reservoir, sparking a chain of events that unwittingly led her straight back to the evil Tommy Lee Royce, played by James Norton.

The BBC has released some teaser photographs featuring some of the show’s central characters ahead of tonight's episode.

The teaser for episode five says: “Catherine (Cawood) races to protect her family as a murder investigation begins.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Tommy Lee Royce, played by James Norton, is at large in episode five Tommy Lee Royce, played by James Norton, is at large in episode five (Image: BBC/Lookout Media/Matt Squire)

Last week's episode saw Tommy Lee managing to break out of the dock during an appearance in Leeds court. 

His son Ryan, who is also Catherine's grandson, skipped school to head to the courtroom and witnessed the dramatic scenes as he escaped. 

Now Tommy Lee is out of prison, what comes next for Catherine and the grandson she has tried so hard to protect remains to be seen. 

Viewers were also introduced to gang leader Darius Knezevic, played by Alec Secareanu, who ordered two of his henchmen to distract the court while Tommy Lee made his escape. 

The teaser photographs also feature pharmacist Faisal Bhatti, played by Amit Shah, who had been illegally supplying Joanna Hepworth, played by Mollie Winnard, with diazepam. 

But things turned nasty after a plot between Faisal and Joanna to murder her abusive husband Rob saw her end up dead instead. 

Last week's episode ended on a cliffhanger as Rob made the grim discovery of his wife's body in a suitcase following her disappearance. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Faisal Bhatti, played by Amit Shah, in reflective mood during the fifth episode Faisal Bhatti, played by Amit Shah, in reflective mood during the fifth episode (Image: BBC/Lookout Media/Matt Squire)

Some scenes for the third series were filmed in the Thornton area of Bradford and eagle-eyes viewers may have spotted some familiar sights in last week's episode as  Clare, played by Siobhan Finneran, spoke to Catherine on the phone. 

There was excitement last year when the well-known actress was spotted in the village as filming got underway. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Ann Gallagher, played by Charlie Murphy, pictured during Happy Valley's penultimate episode Ann Gallagher, played by Charlie Murphy, pictured during Happy Valley's penultimate episode (Image: BBC/Lookout Media/Matt Squire)

Tonight's episode is set to build the drama ahead of what is sure to be a blockbuster ending to the series next Sunday (February 5). 

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