TV legend and national treasure Timothy Spall plays thespian John Chapel who joins forces with disarming Welsh detective Janie Mallowan (played by Gwyneth Keyworth) to clean up the valleys!
Timothy, 69, said: “You never know how something will be received, so I was delighted with the enthusiastic and very positive response. This is one of the reasons why I do what I do, to make something you hope is going to entertain and give value for money, after all people pay for their TV Licence and you want to give them the best you possibly can. As I get older that becomes more and more important to me.”
He went on: “I’ve been a little more involved with the development for series two, so it’s been excellent working with creator/writer Paul Doolan, making suggestions for John’s character and the relationship development between Janie and John. I hope we’ve moved the story on and remained consistent; Paul has really excelled himself with the diverse and interesting cases in series two and there are some ambitious stories with a gallery of fascinating original characters taken on by excellent new guest artists.”
Timothy said he believed the age difference between the two stars added to the show’s charm.
“I’ve always thought it’s more like a sibling, rather than a father daughter relationship and John never plays the wise old man card. Interestingly in episode four we meet Janie’s father (Owen Teale), which leads to an interesting dynamic between Janie and John,” he said. “It opens a friendship for John, he’s lonely for intellectual stimulation and discourse. It also explores Janie’s unresolved relationship with her estranged father. We see how that storyline amplifies the friendship between John and Janie – it makes for an interesting and complex episode.”
Timothy added: “I hope Death Valley is a rich box of confectionary with a different flavour for each episode. Each episode has its own distinct look and feel, there’s a new crime to solve each week informed by the setting and community. Each episode has its own compact story, and we’re introduced to a plethora of characters that are interesting, funny, and believable and it brings in a whole collection of roles for excellent character actors. We’ve got a really fine cast on this series.”
And, if you fancy a good old binge, the entire series is available on BBC iPlayer!
Well, it’s not long now to this summer’s eagerly awaited World Cup and – with that in mind – BBC1 is screening DEAR ENGLAND (BBC1, Sunday, 24 May and iPlayer) – a new four-part drama about Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team.
Joseph Fiennes looks uncannily like Sir Gareth as we watch him take over the national squad with the worst track record for penalties in the world – a particularly sore issue with Southgate after the events of Euro 96!
He knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take England back to the promised land. The country that gave the world football has delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t the England team win at their own game?
A strong supporting cast includes Jodie Whittaker, Jason Watkins, John Hodgkinson and Daniel Ryan. The series is based on the National Theatre play which won the Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2024.
And if that doesn’t get you in the mood for the World Cup, nothing will! C’mon England!
Catch you next week for some more TV chatter – stay safe!
