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DEATH VALLEY - sun 8pm bbc 1 - TV PACE NO SPOILERS

157 replies

Blondeshavemorefun · 21/05/2025 12:52

Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth play an unlikely crime-solving duo in the BBC's upcoming comedy drama Death Valley

The show is a comedy drama, much like the recent David Mitchell success Ludwig (https://www.tvguide.co.uk/streaming-guide/ludwig-series-2-return-series-1-ending-explained-bbc-one-iplayer). And it was created and written by the talented Paul Doolan, the man behind Mammoth, and Trollied - so we know we're in safe hands!

Penned and created by Paul Doolan, this six-part murder mystery charts the unlikely crime-solving alliance between a quirky national treasure and a charming Welsh detective sergeant.

BAFTA award-winning actor Timothy portrays John Chapel, a retired actor and star of the popular fictional detective TV show Caesar, while Gwyneth Keyworth steps into the role of DS Janie Mallowan.

John played Ceasar which was set in 1959 but made in the noughties but when his wife died he turned into a recluse and stoooed acting

Their paths intersect when John's neighbour is shockingly murdered in the show's opening scenes.
In their pursuit of truth, John and Janie unravel gripping murders each week, with various breathtaking Welsh locations serving as the backdrop to their investigations,

Despite their differences, they soon realise they are the closest thing each other has to a best friend, and unwittingly help one another move on from the past," the synopsis continues.

He teams up with Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan to make a rather unlikely crime-solving partnership. While he can turn the charm on (when he wants), she is as subtle as a brick.

They are thrown together when John's neighbour is murdered. The BBC synopsis tell us: "John and Janie are an odd, yet hilarious duo, with opposing instincts.

"Every week, they get to the bottom of gripping murders, with various stunning Welsh locations providing a backdrop to their investigations."

We're told that when John and Janie are not arguing about a case, they're inevitably being nosy about each other's personal business.

The show's impressive cast also features Steffan Rhodri, Melanie Walters, Alexandria Riley, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Sian Gibson, Patricia Hodge and Jim Howick.

At a press event for the series, Timothy discussed the challenges he faced transitioning into a more comedic role, following a string of recent drama appearances.
The actor notably starred in the BBC (https://www.express.co.uk/latest/bbc) miniseries Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, as well as The Sixth Commandment and Summer of Rockets.
Timothy divulged the challenges of comedy, saying: "It's only hard because the expectation of making people laugh. Humour is big taste thing, some people like certa
in aspects of it and some people don't.

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 21/05/2025 12:53

So sounds like a weekly murder like midsummers or death in paradise

obv the police lady is too thick to solve on her own so needs Johns help 😂

OP posts:
BakeOffRewatch · 21/05/2025 17:36

“much like the recent David Mitchell success Ludwig”? Sign me up.

Blondeshavemorefun · 21/05/2025 20:26

I hope will be Similar @BakeOffRewatch

roll on s2 of that

OP posts:
butterpuffed · 23/05/2025 08:41

Ludwig was very watchable , hoping this one will be as good.

Blondeshavemorefun · 23/05/2025 17:24

Same - we like a murder /mystery

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BakeOffRewatch · 25/05/2025 20:24

I’m just starting this. I do love a comic crime drama.

BunnyRuddington · 25/05/2025 20:24

Loving it so far.

Toddlerteaplease · 25/05/2025 20:32

Can’t make head or tail of it. Not a fan of Timothy Spall either so given up!

Blondeshavemorefun · 25/05/2025 20:33

I’m behind due to work but watching

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GoingToGraceland · 25/05/2025 20:35

Pretty irritating so far. Lots of incompetent, infantilised women..

FannyCradocksDoughnut · 25/05/2025 20:45

It's not gripping me like Ludwig did in the first episode but I'll give it a bit longer!

Theyreeatingthedogs · 25/05/2025 20:57

It's on now. Absolute shite. And I like Timothy Spall. God knows why he would be involved in this crap.

MalteaserQueen · 25/05/2025 20:58

Terrible.

Hortonhearsawhat · 25/05/2025 21:01

I was looking forward to this, but I'm not impressed. I only stuck with it for Dave Coaches

DriftAlong · 25/05/2025 21:08

Will give it a chance and watch the next episode but not loving it yet.

BakeOffRewatch · 25/05/2025 21:25

I liked it, it’s a bit of silly fun. I watched 15min and will finish it later, more interested in next episode of Code of Silence. I’m interested in the whodunnit of the murderer and John Chapel’s “it’s interesting” self talk figuring it out. The DS touching everything in his house really annoyed me too!

nahthatsnotforme · 25/05/2025 21:51

Dreadful. Turned it off after 10 minutes. Utter drivel

Fifiesta · 25/05/2025 21:53

What a waste of a good actor!..

bombastix · 25/05/2025 21:54

I actually liked this a fair bit better than Ludwig because it is not pretending to be more than it is, ie a latent Scandi Noir style mystery. It’s a bit of fun.

Clawdy · 26/05/2025 07:50

Was really looking forward to this, but nearly switched off after the first ten minutes. Carried on the end, but won't be watching again. It was just silly, with irritating characters, and unfunny lines. The best bit was the cheeky little girl!

MegMo · 26/05/2025 09:07

BakeOffRewatch · 21/05/2025 17:36

“much like the recent David Mitchell success Ludwig”? Sign me up.

Nothing like Ludwig, I'm afraid. It was so irritating I had to turn it off. Shame about that, I had high hopes. Still, some people might let it, I guess.

MegMo · 26/05/2025 09:09

Theyreeatingthedogs · 25/05/2025 20:57

It's on now. Absolute shite. And I like Timothy Spall. God knows why he would be involved in this crap.

Exactly what I thought. Poor Timothy Spall, I hope he'll make something else soon.

butterpuffed · 26/05/2025 12:36

It was awful.

I agree about Timothy Spall, must've been short of offers . As for the Welsh Policewoman 🤐

Blondeshavemorefun · 26/05/2025 20:22

Recap E1

https://reelmockery.com/death-valley-series-1-episode-1-recap/amp/

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Tigresswoods · 26/05/2025 21:25

Saw this appear on iPlayer. Put it on with much anticipation tonight. Lasted 15 minutes. More Channel 5 than BBC. what a load of crap!