BBC's Happy Valley delivered another tense episode on Sunday, January 22, leaving viewers hooked. Once again the final tense five minutes proved exactly why it is the best drama on telly.
If you haven't watched episode four of series three yet, then be warned as there are spoilers ahead. The episode centres around criminal Tommy Lee Royce's upcoming appearance at Leeds Crown Court where he is accused of murder.
He urges his son Ryan to attend the hearing, and of course the TV villain had come up with an elaborate escape plan. Viewers described how they were gripped by the scenes that played out in the episode.
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Terri White said: "Yes it's almost midnight and yes, I'm still thinking about Happy Valley. Those two big storylines peeking: the choreography of the writing and direction! But also, the details. The breadcrumbs being laid. TAKE THAT COAT OFF."
Other fans were keen to point out James Norton as Tommy Lee Royce is the "best TV villian ever" and that the Sally Wainwright drama just gets "better and better".
Some eagle eyed viewers even spotted his plans to escape earlier on in the series. In episode one, Tommy is seen practising Spanish in his cell, he has a book that reads Speak Spanish in 7 Days. Tommy is clearly struggling with it. He sighs and looks up to the picture of his son Ryan.
The end of episode four saw the elaborate escape plan unfold, and while we didn't see him make Spanish shores, it is a possibility that's his next move, probably with son Ryan in tow. Before we look ahead to what could be in next week's episode though, let's reflect on the tense final five minutes of episode four which proves one again why Happy Valley is the best drama on telly.
Tommy's son Ryan bunks school and makes it to the court hearing. He is spotted by his father who welcomes him with an intense stare and smile - too happy for someone in court accused of murder.
The cocky criminal doesn't stand when the judge enters the room but it is outside the court room where the real drama unfolds. Ivan receives a text which reads: "Kick off at 12.55." Just as that time approaches he picks a fight with a stranger and Matja gets involved with the violent scuffle.
At this point viewers are left wondering what the two men are playing at and what it has to do with Tommy's court appearance. Security guards sound the alarm and the scuffle is heard inside the courtroom.
A temporary distracted security guard is then elbowed by Tommy, before he manages to scale the glass wall and flee the court room. While the court is being put into lockdown, Tommy manages to jump the barriers and get passed people in the corridor by shouting police.
He embarks on a sprint down the high street before making off into a newsagents. He finds a change of clothes and a bike but viewers are yet to find out if these were waiting for him and who they were planted by.
His successful flee from custody can only mark the beginning of the next dramatic episodes to come. James Norton has played Tommy Lee Royce since the first series of Happy Valley and Tommy is attempting to build a relationship with his son Ryan in the third series, despite the utter disapproval of Ryan's grandmother and police woman Catherine, played by Sarah Lancashire.
James was born in London in 1985 and grew up in Yorkshire. After studying theology at the University of Cambridge James attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. You can keep up to date with the latest TV news by signing up to the newsletter here.
His early roles include Guy Edwards in the 2013 film Rush and he shot to fame as Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley where he won a Bafta for Best Supporting Actor in 2015. You can read more about James here.
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