Happy Valley star confirms show has filmed multiple endings to keep plot secret

Amit Shah confirmed on the official Happy Valley podcast that even he doesn't know how his character's story will play out

Watch: Trailer for series three of Happy Valley

Happy Valley star Amit Shah has confirmed that he filmed multiple endings for the latest series, so even he doesn't know what will happen to his character.

Shah, who plays drug dealing pharmacist Faisal in the current third series, told the podcast Obsessed with... Happy Valley that the team behind the show went to extreme lengths to keep things secret.

Read more: Where is Happy Valley filmed?

"I still don't know how it all ends up for him because we filmed the final scenes in various different ways," said the actor.

Viewers recently saw Faisal murder one of his customers Joanna (Mollie Winnard) in order to keep his dark side under wraps and Shah said the character is in a "weird transition period".

Amit Shah plays pharmacist Faisal in the third series of Happy Valley. (BBC)
Amit Shah plays pharmacist Faisal in the third series of Happy Valley. (BBC)

He added: "A switch goes in his head. He thinks: 'Okay, I can either be Faisal from before or I can take control of the situation'. It's just a different him."

The character has become embroiled in his criminal business dealings due to the presence of violent drug kingpins who are blackmailing him.

Read more: James Norton and Sarah Lancashire tease Happy Valley ending

There are two episodes of the third series of Happy Valley to come, with the stories set to reach their conclusion with episode six on 5 February.

With the third series confirmed to be the final run of the show, viewers are concerned about the ultimate fate of its protagonist — Sarah Lancashire's Sgt Catherine Cawood.

Sarah Lancashire once again leads the cast of acclaimed crime drama Happy Valley. (BBC)
Sarah Lancashire once again leads the cast of acclaimed crime drama Happy Valley. (BBC)

Alongside the drug dealing storyline, Cawood is primed for a final showdown with returning villain Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton), who has been seen to escape from the authorities.

Lancashire has played the lead role in Sally Wainwright's acclaimed crime series since it debuted back in 2014.

Read more: James Norton had therapy after boarding school

The third series has continued to receive rave reviews and has soared in the TV ratings, even out-punching a blockbuster interview with Prince Harry on ITV.

Viewers have said the show has lost none of its shine in the seven years it has been off-air, suggesting that Lancashire should be in the running for every award going in recognition of her performance.

Watch: Could James Norton be the next James Bond?