Happy Valley’s James Norton has reduced his chances of taking on Daniel Craig’s role as James Bond following Sunday night’s gripping show.
Viewers said the fourth part of the third series had all the makings of a 007 audition after evil villain Tommy Lee Royce made his daring escape from Leeds court.
Fans of the show were left swooning by the shirtless prison scenes, a dramatic fight in which the psychopath punched two security guards, fled on foot, and then reappeared as a cyclist in skin-tight lycra.
Gripping: Happy Valley’s James Norton has seen his chances of taking on Daniel Craig’s role as James Bond cut short after Sunday night’s gripping show
After the nerve-wracking show, bookies have now reduced the odds of James, 37, becoming the next Bond.
Craig bid farewell to his role as a secret agent after the blockbuster No Time To Die and there has been much speculation as to who will be next.
James was 7/1 but is now 6/1 – shared third favorite with Bridgerton’s Rege-Jean Page according to Ladbrokes. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Superman Henry Cavill are joint favorites at 2/1.
Viewers flocked to Twitter to comment on how the scenes convinced them James would be Craig’s perfect replacement.
‘It was like a Bond audition!’: Viewers said the fourth part of the third series had all the makings of a 007 audition after Tommy Lee Royce made his daring escape from Leeds court
Knockout: Fans of the show were left swooning from the shirtless prison scenes, a dramatic fight that saw the psychopath punch two security guards
Escape: Tommy then jumped off the dock and stormed out the courtroom doors while a staged fight was taking place outside
Gripping scenes: TV’s worst villain pretended to be a cop as he jumped security checkpoints and ran to nearby newsagents to don his disguise
JAMES BOND BOOKIES OPPORTUNITIES
Aaron Taylor Johnson 2/1
Henry Cavill 2/1
James Norton6/1
Rege Jean page 6/1
“I’m not easily impressed, but I can see him as James Bond. Was perfectly polite on Mcmafia so could fit the role,” one wrote.
“The Happy Valley last night was brilliant. The best program on TV at the moment. James Norton manages to be both scary and charming as a villain. Outstanding acting,” wrote another fan.
While another viewer typed: “Thank you BBC for James Norton in Lycra.”
“Think James Norton auditioned for James Bond last night with his exciting getaway and he looked every inch the movie star after his haircut didn’t know he was in jail lol,” chipped in another viewer.
“@jginorton deserves to be offered the role of #jamesbond #HappyValley,” added another fan.
‘Fascinating. Simply stunningly wonderful, captivating and awe-inspiring. It doesn’t get any better than that. And I sincerely hope that you will be the next Bond…. If you want, that is,” said another.
Heartthrob: At the beginning of the episode, Tommy had a transformation of sorts for his court appearance – and viewers’ hearts were racing during the shirtless scenes
Woah: the villain must have been training in prison as he admired his toned physique in the mirror
Impressed: “I’m not easily impressed, but I can see him as James Bond. He was perfectly polite on “Mcmafia” so could fit the role,” one wrote
Inking: Tommy even had a tattoo to rival David Beckham’s (pictured right) with his son Ryan’s name emblazoned on the back of his neck
The next 007? Viewers flocked to Twitter to comment on how the scenes convinced them James would be Craig’s perfect replacement
In the last five minutes of the latest installment of the hit BBC drama, there were big developments in both story arcs as Rob Hepworth discovered the body of his wife Joanna and Tommy made his great escape.
One fan explained that the show “makes it impossible to get an early night” as the episode ended with another cliffhanger and the prospect of a final showdown between Catherine Cawood and Royce.
Meanwhile, the show’s other major story arc was playing out when Joanna’s disappearance raised suspicions.
Time for the next 007: Craig said goodbye to his role as a secret agent after the blockbuster No Time To Die and there has been much speculation as to who will be next
Favorites: Aaron Taylor-Johnson (L) and Superman Henry Cavill (R) are joint favorites at 2/1
Third: James was 7/1 but is now 6/1 – joint third favorite with Bridgerton’s Rege-Jean Page
In episode three, Faisal Bhatti (Amit Shah) murdered Joanna in a fit of rage after her plan to kill Rob was exposed.
Although her husband Rob insisted that it was in her character to disappear, Joanna’s concerned parents were seen arriving at the police station to file a missing persons report with Sgt. Cawood.
After being interrogated at home, Rob noticed a suitcase in the garage and opened it to see the horrifying scene of his wife’s body crammed inside.
Viewers praised the show’s writer, Sally Wainwright, for her ability to pull together two storylines in a matter of minutes.
“Building that amount of suspense in one episode takes skill, but building that amount of suspense across two separate storylines within one episode is writing and directing at its finest. #HappyValley,” declared one fan.
Another pointed out that “Happy Valley makes it impossible to go to bed early on Sundays. Each episode leaves you with a heart rate of around 200 BPM.’
‘Jesus Christ. Haven’t breathed for about ten minutes,” agreed another.
Others pointed out that Cawood’s suspicion that Tommy was plotting something during his court hearing was proven correct when they asked her colleagues and family to “always listen to Catherine whenever she has a suspicion.”
Tommy’s escape signals that a final showdown is brewing between him and Cawood, but as this marks the final series, some viewers are beginning to worry that Sarah Lancashire’s leadership will not make it into retirement.
“If bad things happen to Catherine at the end of this series, I’m not sure I can forgive Sally Wainwright and company,” tweeted author JoJo Moyes.
Happy Valley continues on BBC One on Sunday at 9pm.
Interesting: The final series of Happy Valley hit a crescendo in episode four on Sunday night. It continues on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One