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:
Blondeshavemorefun · 11/05/2026 22:46

moto748e · 11/05/2026 22:19

Ah, the Timothy Spall one! I liked that.

Yes

OP posts:
CarpetKnees · 11/05/2026 23:55

Thanks for the Heads Up @Blondeshavemorefun

Clawdy · 13/05/2026 12:13

Looking forward to this one.

Clawdy · 13/05/2026 12:16

But realised looking at start of this thread that I didn’t like last series! Will give new one a try.

2Rebecca · 19/05/2026 19:24

I had forgotten what the first series was about so restarted it and in the second episode remembered why I had low expectations of a second series. The BBC feel they should have more older actresses so turn them in to overinvolved annoying mothers rather than making the female pc older and married.

DangerQuakeRhinoSnake · 19/05/2026 20:57

The kids are asking to watch this having seen it on iplayer!

Nice to see it back.

Blondeshavemorefun · 19/05/2026 21:17

It’s easy watching

OP posts:
daffodilandtulip · 21/05/2026 19:07

I had to read this entire thread and google it but I have now remembered I liked it so I am off to catch up!

Blondeshavemorefun · 21/05/2026 21:03

Hope you enjoy @daffodilandtulip

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · Yesterday 06:24

Episode 1 series 2, did anyone else enjoy the little nugget / Easter egg?

Timothy Spall in character saying how Caesar was once up against Lewis on ITV in ratings and beat it, but don't tell Kevin as they are good friends? For those who are too young, to know these things Timothy Spall and Kevin Whatley starred together in 'Auf Windersein Pet' back in their much much younger days.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread