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Death Valley (British TV series)

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Death Valley
Genre
Created byPaul Doolan
Directed bySimon Hynd
Starring
Music bySion Trefor
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producers
  • Madeline Addy
  • Paul Doolan
  • Josh Cole
ProducerNikki Wilson
Running time45 minutes
Production companyBBC Studios
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release25 May 2025 (2025-05-25) –
present

Death Valley is a crime mystery television series starring Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth, which was first broadcast on 25 May 2025 on BBC One. In August 2025, it was renewed for a second series, which began on 17 May 2026.

Premise

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Set in Mid Wales (although filmed in the Vale of Glamorgan), the murder mystery series follows the unlikely crime-solving partnership between eccentric national treasure John Chapel, a retired actor and star of hit long-running detective television show Caesar, and socially inept Detective Sergeant Janie Mallowan.[1]

Cast and characters

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Main

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Guest

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Production

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The six-part first series was 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

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The first series was premiered on 25 May 2025[9] on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.[10]

The second series was premiered on 17 May 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.[11][12]

Episodes

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Series overview

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SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1625 May 2025 (2025-05-25)29 June 2025 (2025-06-29)
2617 May 2026 (2026-05-17)21 June 2026 (2026-06-21)

Series 1 (2025)

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No.EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateUK viewers
(millions)
1Episode 1Simon HyndPaul Doolan25 May 2025 (2025-05-25)4.51
DS Jane (Janie) Mallowan investigates the apparent suicide of a property developer. She discovers that former TV detective and national treasure John Chapel is one of the dead man's neighbours. Chapel provides insight into the motivations of the dead man and various suspects.
2Episode 2Simon HyndPaul Doolan1 June 2025 (2025-06-01)4.09
A new member of Janie's mother Yvonne's hillwalking group is found dead near a notorious danger spot at a waterfall.[13] John joins the group to learn more about the dead woman and the members of the group.
3Episode 3Simon HyndPaul Doolan and Nina Metivier8 June 2025 (2025-06-08)4.04
The best man is killed the night before a wedding. John looks into the psychology of the wedding party members.
4Episode 4Simon HyndPaul Doolan15 June 2025 (2025-06-15)3.49
When the director of an am-dram production of Hamlet is found murdered, John joins the production to investigate, despite reservations about a return to acting.
5Episode 5Simon HyndPaul Doolan22 June 2025 (2025-06-22)3.58
Actor Anthony Hart, the star of the detective series Phoenix and John's professional rival, is stabbed to death during a murder mystery event hosted at his own country house. Aiding Janie's investigation, John reconnects with the deceased's sister and his former flame, Helena.
6Episode 6Simon HyndPaul Doolan29 June 2025 (2025-06-29)3.28
Janie has lost her promotion because her working relationship with Chapel has been splashed across social media. At his secondary school 15 year reunion, Janie's mechanic is killed. A body in a drain has been identified as that of a long-missing Dutch backpacker. At the Chief Superintendent's insistence, DCI Clarke takes on Chapel as a criminal psychologist consultant to help with both murders. Janie deduces that Chapel has a girlfriend, but is shocked to discover who it is.

Series 2 (2026)

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No.EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateBBC One broadcastUK viewers
(millions) [14]
7Episode 1Simon HyndPaul Doolan17 May 2026 (2026-05-17)17 May 20263.52
Janie, now Detective Inspector, finds it difficult to deal with John being in a relationship with her mother Yvonne. The death of a man performing community service at a castle leads to John being asked to join the group, initially against Janie’s wishes. Together they determine the motivations of the culprit.[15]
8Episode 2Simon HyndPaul Doolan and Ian Jarvis17 May 2026 (2026-05-17)24 May 20262.94
Janie investigates the arson of a popular fish-and-chip stall and the death of its hipster proprietor. After being dumped by Yvonne, a heartbroken John visits the seaside town where the murder took place.
9Episode 3Claire WinyardPaul Doolan and Sian Harries17 May 2026 (2026-05-17)31 May 2026N/A
After a runner is found fatally overdosed on the set of a fantasy series, Janie befriends the series' leading actress and John is reacquainted with Randall St Clair, his former co-star on Caesar who played his sidekick Constable Atkins.
10Episode 4Claire WinyardNina Metivier17 May 2026 (2026-05-17)7 June 2026N/A
When the leader of a self-sufficient commune is found murdered, Janie is reluctantly reunited with her absent father Michael and is bemused when John befriends him.
11Episode 5Simon HyndPaul Doolan17 May 2026 (2026-05-17)14 June 2026N/A
During a compliance training day presented by Janie at the police station, one of the attendees is found murdered. With the station locked down and the suspects not permitted to leave until further notice, one "old school" officer is considered the prime suspect. Meanwhile, Janie's dad offers her the chance to spend a year in Portugal with him while John considers reviving his acting career but is affronted at having to submit an audition tape.
12Episode 6Simon HyndPaul Doolan17 May 2026 (2026-05-17)21 June 2026N/A
During Janie's final week before leaving for Portugal, the chairwoman of the local rugby club is found murdered during the funeral of a club staff member. Still waiting to hear back about his audition tape, John decides to investigate the club by hosting a Caesar Q&A evening there.

Reception

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Lucy Mangan of The Guardian declared the first series a quality cosy mystery series, calling it "witty and fun".[16] In The Daily Telegraph Benji Wilson gave the opening episode four stars out of five; "Timothy Spall’s witty sleuth proves a rival for Ludwig".[17]

References

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  1. ^ "Death Valley cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC comedy-drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  2. ^ Goldbart, Max (19 May 2024). "BAFTA-Winning 'Sixth Commandment' Star Timothy Spall Leading BBC Comedy-Drama 'Death Valley'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Death Valley - the new BBC comedy drama - reveals cast". Comedy.co.uk. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  4. ^ "How much do I love detectives? My dog's called Dorothy L Sayers..." Chortle. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  5. ^ "BBC's Death Valley starring Timothy Spall films in Penarth". Penarth Times. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  6. ^ Jones, Indigo (25 May 2025). "BBC Death Valley's full list of Welsh filming locations". Wales Online.
  7. ^ Jones, Branwen (4 September 2025). "Four massive TV shows are filming in Wales right now". walesonline. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Death Valley series 2 first look pictures and guest artists revealed as comedy crime drama starring Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth returns". bbc.co.uk. 7 May 2026. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  9. ^ "Gavin & Stacey stars join Timothy Spall in BBC comedy drama Death Valley". radiotimes.com. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  10. ^ White, George (20 May 2024). "Timothy Spall leads new BBC comedy murder mystery Death Valley". Radio Times. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  11. ^ Craig, David (6 May 2026). "Death Valley season 2 release date is finally confirmed for hit BBC One series". Radio Times. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  12. ^ "Death Valley returns for second series". Yahoo News. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  13. ^ Parry, Anwen (30 May 2025). "Timothy Spall BBC drama Death Valley filmed in Brecon Beacons". Powys County Times. Bournemouth: Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  14. ^ "BARB Four Screen Dashboard". BARB. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  15. ^ Quinn, Angie (17 May 2026). "'Beautiful' Death Valley Season 2 filming locations as BBC drama returns". Daily Mirror. Reach plc. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  16. ^ Mangan, Lucy (25 May 2025). "Death Valley review – Timothy Spall's quality new detective drama is a cosy, witty joy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  17. ^ Wilson, Benji. "Death Valley, review: Timothy Spall's witty sleuth proves a rival for Ludwig". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
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