Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Telly addicts

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

161 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:
NewGirlInTown · 26/05/2025 21:53

Awful. Utterly awful. The lead policewoman is the most annoying character.
I like crime series, both cozy and not, and was looking forward to seeing Tim Spall in this, but the other characters are the most ghastly caricatures, rendering it unwatchable for me.

Davros · 26/05/2025 22:17

I’ve just started watching and came here to see what everyone else thinks. It’s really awful so far, especially the main woman copper. I don’t think I’ll last

Blondeshavemorefun · 26/05/2025 22:18

Oh it wasn’t that bad
cheesy yes but watchBke

and clues there. Optician. Colour of car etx

OP posts:
BakeOffRewatch · 27/05/2025 14:17

Just finished the first episode. I really like it! Yes it’s silly, and I didn’t think the female characters were any more silly than the male characters - they had more screen time to be silly which I appreciated. Loved Timothy Spall saying “if poss”. All wrapped up a bit too neatly and quickly, didn’t feel I was brought on the solving journey as a viewer but I didn’t mind that and enjoyed the Welsh scenery, good acting and storyline.

BakeOffRewatch · 27/05/2025 14:21

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 😂

I liked that they had John Chapel doing the flair and Janie Mallowan doing all the evidence. Thought it very cute how her boss was proud of her at the end.

Reading your OP @Blondeshavemorefun sounds like a lot more interest to come from their personal stories, like John’s late wife. Can’t remember any crumbs about Janie’s background.

Saucery · 27/05/2025 14:24

I’ve watched the first two (but of course I will stick to TV pace on this thread!).
I liked it. It’s easy, undemanding and occasionally funny. Miles better than The Red King which was on a while ago and played it straight. It’s just Death In Paradise/Doc Martin typically Sunday evening telly.
Hated Ludwig, couldn’t hear a damn word anyone said because of the intrusive music, but this was…..pleasant, despite featuring murder.

Davros · 27/05/2025 15:02

I love this kind of telly usually and I did watch E1 to the end so I might stick with it. I just found the gurning, uber daft female copper extremely annoying.

bombastix · 27/05/2025 15:27

Saucery · 27/05/2025 14:24

I’ve watched the first two (but of course I will stick to TV pace on this thread!).
I liked it. It’s easy, undemanding and occasionally funny. Miles better than The Red King which was on a while ago and played it straight. It’s just Death In Paradise/Doc Martin typically Sunday evening telly.
Hated Ludwig, couldn’t hear a damn word anyone said because of the intrusive music, but this was…..pleasant, despite featuring murder.

Yes some of the lines and acting are absolutely cracking. Very funny. I don’t think anyone should watch it with the idea it’s a seriously gripping crime series.

I do like the gentle sending up of acting by Timothy Spall; subtle but wry

dontcallmelen · 27/05/2025 16:25

bombastix · 27/05/2025 15:27

Yes some of the lines and acting are absolutely cracking. Very funny. I don’t think anyone should watch it with the idea it’s a seriously gripping crime series.

I do like the gentle sending up of acting by Timothy Spall; subtle but wry

Agree I enjoyed it, be interesting I think once a bit of the two lead characters back stories are revealed might be wrong wasn’t Mallowan Agatha Christie married name? If so a nice nod towards the slightly odd ball detectives.

EveryKneeShallBow · 27/05/2025 16:31

I really wanted to like this, and usually like something gentle on a Sunday, but no. Awful waste of a good actor and not for me, I’m afraid.

Saucery · 27/05/2025 16:48

Yes @dontcallmelen , Agatha Christie was married to Max Mallowan. Not sure if that’s a common name in Wales or the writer thought it would be tooooo obvious to call her Janie Christie Grin
I like Gwyneth Keyworth and she reminds me of Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Detectorists) in this - perky and naive on the surface, but perhaps with hidden secrets. The character has a cracking line in boxy little jackets too ❤️

tinyspiny · 27/05/2025 16:53

I liked it , it was exactly what I thought it would be which is light entertainment but with decent actors .

dontcallmelen · 27/05/2025 16:59

Saucery agree with the boxy jackets, I do appreciate a good jacket my favourite clothing item to buy as they can instantly change up an outfit.

CarpetKnees · 27/05/2025 17:38

I know this is for TV pace, so no spoilers, but I have watched the first 3, and have warmed into it.

Wasn't at all sure after Episode 1, but I'd say worth sticking with, if that helps everyone. Like many series, you have to get to know the characters and little snippets of their back stories.

(As well as Dave Coaches, Gwen appears ;-) )

It's pleasant, light hearted Sunday evening drama.
Not sure why they call it a comedy. It really isn't - just as Ludwig wasn't.

NewAgeNewMe · 27/05/2025 19:38

Quite liked it.

bombastix · 27/05/2025 20:20

I think it’s got lots of silly camp potential; if that’s your thing

ThatAgileCoralBird · 27/05/2025 21:19

Watched three episodes and I really enjoyed them.
Like the main characters and found it funny in parts.
I agree with pp: liking janie mallowan’s jackets and knits/crochet tops.
Wales looks beautiful!

moto748e · 28/05/2025 00:38

I've recorded this, but haven't watched yet, so came to the thread hoping for a thumbs-up, but it seems opinion is mixed! I'll get round to it.

purpleme12 · 28/05/2025 01:50

@CarpetKnees it seems like a comedy to me
And I really laughed at Ludwig in places too 🤷‍♀️

purpleme12 · 28/05/2025 01:50

Anyway I really enjoyed this

Thumbs up from me 👍👍

Summeriscumin · 28/05/2025 07:21

Watched them all. It gets better.

Blondeshavemorefun · 28/05/2025 08:27

moto748e · 28/05/2025 00:38

I've recorded this, but haven't watched yet, so came to the thread hoping for a thumbs-up, but it seems opinion is mixed! I'll get round to it.

It’s worth a watch

easy watching

OP posts:
MonkeyTennis34 · 28/05/2025 08:31

Loving this…light, cosy murder mystery. A bit like Moonflower Murders but funnier.
Timothy Spall is, of course, excellent and the female police officer is brilliant too. We saw her in To Kill a Mockingbird in the West End, fantastic in that too.

BillStickersIsInnocent · 28/05/2025 10:48

Really enjoying this, lots of fun, doesn’t take itself too seriously and some wonderful hamming-up by Timothy Spall. Great cast too.
Reminds me of lots of things - Only Murders in the Building and Shakespeare and Hathaway in particular.

NewAgeNewMe · 28/05/2025 12:48

Love both those @BillStickersIsInnocent

Swipe left for the next trending thread