Date Published: September 11, 2024 — Steffan Rhodri, Alexandria Riley and Melanie Walters join Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth in the brand-new comedy drama Death Valley, a BBC Studios Comedy Production for BBC Two, BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer, written and created by BAFTA-nominated Paul Doolan.

Set in Wales, the six-part murder mystery series follows the unlikely crime-solving partnership between eccentric national treasure John Chapel (Timothy Spall), a retired actor and star of hit fictional detective TV show ‘Caesar’, and disarming Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth).

Thrown together by the murder of John’s neighbour, 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.

Gwyneth Keyworth, says: “Murder. Mystery. Comedy. AND TIMOTHY SPALL! I’m absolutely buzzing. I’m grateful to be working on a show that truly celebrates Wales – not just its landscapes and culture, but also its unique quirks and the humour that defines its people.”

Paul Doolan, says: ‘’I’m such a huge fan of the crime genre and I love writing comedy, so it’s been a delight to see the show come to life with such a brilliant array of actors and guest stars for our murder suspects.”

Joining the cast are Steffan Rhodri (The Way, House of the Dragon, Steeltown Murders) as DCI Clarke – Janie’s boss and so-called mentor!; Alexandria Riley (Baby Reindeer, Lost Boys and Fairies, The Pembrokeshire Murders) as Baxter a straight talking pathologist and friend of Janie; Melanie Walters (Gavin & Stacey, Father Brown) as Yvonne, Janie’s ‘no boundaries’ mother; Remy Beasley (One Day, Steeltown Murders) as Rhiannon the picture of perfection and an old adversary from Janie’s past; Mike Bubbins (Mammoth) as Tony – the un-self-aware and overly friendly Desk Sergeant and Rithvik Andugula (Extraordinary) as DC Evan Chaudhry – the eager to please and somewhat naïve junior police officer.

Guest artists featuring across the series include, Kiell Smith-Bynoe (Ghosts), Sian Gibson (Mammoth, Peter Kay’s Car Share), Patricia Hodge (A Very English Scandal, All Creatures Great and Small), Jim Howick (Ghosts, Here We Go, The Change), Karl Johnson (True Love, The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies, Wolf), Colin McFarlane (The War Between The Land and the Sea, The Dark Knight Trilogy), Vicki Pepperdine (Poor Things, Worzel Gummidge) Steve Speirs (Inside No.9, After Life), Amy Trigg (Such Brave Girls, Luther, The Reckoning).

Joedi Langley, Interim Head of Creative Wales, says: “It’s fantastic to support another BBC production that has chosen Wales as its location, this time a comedy drama, and with a stellar cast too! It is important that Creative Wales and BBC continue to work together to develop high quality, made in Wales content for wider audiences. I’m pleased that by supporting Death Valley, Creative Wales is helping to secure more roles for Wales-based freelancers, and trainee placements for aspiring creatives too.”

Death Valley w/t (6 x 45) is a BBC Studios Comedy Production for BBC Two, BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer, written and created by BAFTA-nominated Paul Doolan with additional material by Sian Harries. The series was ordered by Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy and Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning BBC Wales. The Commissioning Editors are Seb Barwell for BBC Comedy, and Paul Forde for BBC Wales. Directed by Simon Hynd and Produced by Nikki Wilson, the Executive Producers are Paul Doolan, Josh Cole and Madeline Addy. BBC Studios will distribute the series internationally. Additional funding support has been provided by Creative Wales, the Welsh Government agency that supports the growth of the Creative Sectors. The series will broadcast in 2025.

About BBC Studios

The main commercial arm of BBC Commercial Ltd, BBC Studios generated revenues in the last year of £1.8 billion and a third consecutive year of profits of over £200 million. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes content globally and Media & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services including bbc.com and BritBox International and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. The business made more than 2,800 hours of award-winning British programmes last year for a wide selection of public service and commercial broadcasters and platforms, both in the UK and across the globe. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, and includes world-famous brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who.