BBC Crime Comedy ‘Death Valley’ Showcases Welsh Culture and Landscape

The BBC’s new series *Death Valley* blends comedy and crime drama, starring Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth as an unlikely detective duo. Filmed entirely in Wales, the show embraces the region’s culture, landscapes, and language. Set in a fictional Welsh town, it explores the relationship between a real detective, Janie Mallowen, and her TV idol, John Chapel, a retired actor known for playing a detective. The show highlights the contrast between their personalities—Spall’s character being eccentric and self-important, while Keyworth’s is practical and emotionally grounded.

Written by Paul Doolan, the story takes a meta approach as the characters find themselves solving real crimes. The plot is laced with humor, dramatic tension, and emotional depth, especially through Mallowen’s backstory of personal trauma and her reliance on escapist TV. The series also features prominent Welsh actors and locations such as Cardiff, Penarth, and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Both Spall and Keyworth emphasized the beauty of Wales and how the show celebrates its unique atmosphere. *Death Valley* premieres on BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday, 25 May at 20:15 BST.