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Wales Online
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Kathryn Williams

BBC Happy Valley's James Norton shares cute throwback with on screen son Ryan

Happy Valley's evil villain Tommy Lee Royce has been itching to reconnect with his son, Ryan - the grandson of lead character Catherine Cawood - but up until recently the violent criminal, played by James Norton, has been banged up in the third and final series of the BBC drama.

But in real life actor Norton has had more luck in bonding with his on-screen offspring, actor Rhys Connah, and has shared some lush behind-the-scenes pictures of their early scenes together and an up-to-date one with Rhys all grown up.

Read more: BBC Happy Valley stars have no idea how series will conclude as different endings have been filmed

The former Grantchester and McMafia star has posted the images of him and Rhys on Instagram, the first from series one, which aired in 2014 when the youngster was just eight years old, and James has a bloodied nose after presumably a run in with Sarah Lancashire's Catherine Cawood. The pair, who viewers have seen in series three reconnecting in the prison waiting room, are making funny faces to the camera and Norton's caption is a cheeky reference to Tommy's desire to take his son bungee jumping one day, he writes: "Can anyone suggest a good spot for bungee jumping?"

James with a grown up Rhys (James Norton/Instagram)

The second image is a more recent one of the pair with their arms around each other at what looks like an event for the final series of the smash hit drama, which is hurtling towards a conclusion after Tommy escaped from a court hearing and raced off on a road bike with son Ryan looking on from the gallery.

Happy Valley has two episodes left, airing on Sunday, January 29 and Sunday, February 5. Fans already have their predictions how the series will end, while we've made the (extremely strong) case why the Sally Wainwright show is the best UK drama, ever - read that here. For the latest news on the series and from the world of TV and Showbiz, then sign up to WalesOnline's newest newsletter here.

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