Death Valley (British TV series)
British television series
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Death Valley is a 2025 crime mystery television series starring Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth, which premiered on 25 May 2025 on BBC One. In August 2025, it was renewed for a second series, set to air on 17 May 2026.[1]
| Death Valley | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Created by | Paul Doolan |
| Directed by | Simon Hynd |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Sion Trefor |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Nikki Wilson |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Production company | BBC Studios |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 25 May 2025 – present |
Premise
Set in South Wales, the six-episode murder mystery series follows the unlikely crime-solving partnership between eccentric national treasure John Chapel (Timothy Spall), a retired actor and star of hit long-running detective television show Caesar, and socially obtuse Detective Sergeant Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth).
Cast and characters
Main
- Timothy Spall as John Chapel
- Gwyneth Keyworth as DS Janie Mallowan
- Steffan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke
- Alexandria Riley as Helen Baxter
- Rithvik Andugula as DC Evan Chaudhry
Guest
- Jim Howick as Constable Atkins
- Melanie Walters as Yvonne
- Patricia Hodge as Helena
- Remy Beasley as Rhiannon Hopkins
- Mike Bubbins as Tony
- Sian Gibson as Wendy
- Amy Morgan as Sioned
- Steve Speirs as Lloyd
- Eryn Kelleher as Ava
- Nathan Foad as Owen
- Charlotte O'Leary as Izzy Eldwick
- Craig Gallivan as Dean Ward
Production
The six-part series is written and created by Paul Doolan. Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth were cast in the lead roles in May 2024.[2] Also in the cast are Steffan Rhodri, Alexandria Riley and Melanie Walters. Guest stars include Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Sian Gibson, Patricia Hodge and Jim Howick.[3]
According to Doolan, detective Janie Mallowan takes her name from Agatha Christie's married name, Mallowan, and from Christie's character Jane Marple.[4]
Filming took place in June 2024 in Penarth, particularly Penarth Conservative Club and Penarth Pier, and in Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan, including St Illtyd's Church there.[5][6] Filming on the second series took place in Penarth in 2025.[7] Guests stars on the second series include Jane Horrocks, Mark Lewis Jones, Alexandra Roach, Hammed Animashaun, Roisin Conaty, Asim Chaudhry and Mike Bubbins.[8]
Broadcast
The series premiered on 25 May 2025[9] on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.[10]
Episodes
Series overview
Series 1 (2025)
| No. | Episode | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | UK viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 1 | Simon Hynd | Paul Doolan | 25 May 2025 | N/A |
| 2 | Episode 2 | Simon Hynd | Paul Doolan | 1 June 2025 | N/A |
| 3 | Episode 3 | Simon Hynd | Paul Doolan and Nina Metivier | 8 June 2025 | N/A |
| 4 | Episode 4 | Simon Hynd | Paul Doolan | 15 June 2025 | N/A |
| 5 | Episode 5 | Simon Hynd | Paul Doolan | 22 June 2025 | N/A |
| 6 | Episode 6 | Simon Hynd | Paul Doolan | 29 June 2025 | N/A |
Reception
The Guardian declared it a quality cosy mystery series, calling it "witty and fun".[11] In The Daily Telegraph Benji Wilson gave the opener four stars out of five; "Timothy Spall’s witty sleuth proves a rival for Ludwig".[12]