 She described series leads Lesley Sharp and Suranne Jones as "actors at the top of their game" and appreciated their willingness to experiment with her ideas.In August 2015 Red Production Company and the BBC announced that Hardiman would direct the second series of "Happy Valley" (2016) alongside writer, executive producer and series creator Sally Wainwright.Tim Goodman of "The Hollywood Reporter" praised the direction of both Hardiman and Wainwright, noting that their heavy use of close-ups helped bind viewers to the fate of series protagonist Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire).