Meet the Star-Studded Cast of BBC’s New Comedy-Drama ‘Death Valley’!

by

In a possible continuation of their successful run, the BBC could be launching another popular mystery series titled “Death Valley.” This new show features seasoned actor Timothy Spall and up-and-coming talent Gwyneth Keyworth as an unusual detective team.

It wouldn’t be far-fetched to guess that the determined detective, Janie Mallowan (Keyworth), didn’t anticipate becoming friends with her role model, actor John Chapel (Spall). This was especially true after their first encounter, when she found him to be quite challenging in his company.

Yet, their distinct perspectives on life serve as a powerful asset when Dame Agatha Christie (DS Mallowan) confronts a string of murders occurring within her jurisdiction in Wales.

In Death Valley, besides Spall and Keyworth, you’ll spot familiar faces like Steffan Rhodri and Melanie Walters from Gavin & Stacey, who often return, along with a variety of well-known guest stars that you might recognize.

Prepare to meet the stars gracing your screens as “Death Valley” premieres on BBC One and iPlayer this coming weekend! Here’s a quick guide to our talented cast, some of whom you may already recognize from previous roles.

Death Valley cast: Full list of actors and characters

1. John Doe (played by Actor X) – The protagonist and central character who finds himself in various humorous and dramatic situations throughout the show.
2. Jane Smith (performed by Actress Y) – A witty, resourceful detective with a mysterious past that gradually unfolds over the series.
3. Officer Brown (played by Actor Z) – A bumbling, but well-intentioned police officer who often gets himself into comedic predicaments.
4. The Mayor (portrayed by Actress W) – The quirky mayor of Death Valley with a secret hidden agenda that impacts the lives of the townspeople.
5. Sarah Johnson (played by Actress V) – A local resident who is both a love interest for John Doe and an integral part of solving the mysteries in Death Valley.

  • Timothy Spall as John Chapel
  • Gwyneth Keyworth as DS Janie Mallowan
  • Steffan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke
  • Alexandria Riley as Baxter
  • Melanie Walters as Yvonne
  • Rithvik Andugula as DC Evan Chaudhry

Timothy Spall as John Chapel

As a cinephile, I’d say: “I used to be the star of the British detective series Caesar, but after that wrapped up, I chose solitude in a Welsh countryside home. Little did I know, my peaceful life would be interrupted by none other than detective Janie Mallowan, a fan who sought my help with a local murder case. This unexpected encounter led to an unusual friendship and crime-solving duo.

According to Spall, there’s a unique depth and emotional authenticity to the characters. They struggle to acknowledge their own flaws, yet they’re quick to spot one another’s mistakes, which creates conflict that is explored in an engaging manner.

The unique connection between them deepens and grows reciprocal, despite encountering tough periods of highs and lows. Moreover, I was pleased to contribute my personal insights and suggestions regarding John’s character development, as requested by the creative team.

Apart from the acclaimed BBC dramas Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light and The Sixth Commandment, Timothy Spall has also been part of other notable projects. For instance, he portrayed Peter Pettigrew in the Harry Potter movie series, and he’s famously collaborated with filmmaker Mike Leigh on films like Secrets & Lies and Mr Turner.

Gwyneth Keyworth as DS Janie Mallowan

What is Janie Mallowan known as? She is a dedicated and ambitious detective sergeant. At first, she admires John Chapel greatly due to his acting in Caesar, but her admiration fades when they meet in person, revealing his flaws. Their relationship is marked by constant disagreements, yet beneath the arguments, there lies a deep respect and affection for each other.

Keyworth stated: “Janie tends to stick strictly to rules, while John is more focused on emotions, character analysis, and experiencing feelings. Contrarily, Janie prefers to avoid feelings altogether and closes off emotionally. However, she eventually recognizes that her fixation on facts can sometimes lead her astray and that a more creative approach might be necessary.

I believe John advocates for that behavior, and he also motivates her to explore the reasons behind her actions across all areas of her life.

Have you seen Gwyneth Keyworth in any other productions? Some of her past works include Doctor Thorne, Craith / Hidden, Defending the Guilty, Dawn French comedy-drama The Trouble with Maggie Cole, Alex Rider, a young adult adaptation, and Lost Boys and Fairies, a moving adoption miniseries.

Steffan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke

In simpler terms, DCI Clarke is the superior officer of Janie at their local police department. Despite his tendency to blunder or put himself in uncomfortable positions, it’s clear that he has good intentions.

Other than his role as Dave Coaches in the much-loved BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, Steffan Rhodri has also appeared in productions such as historical drama The Last Kingdom, fantasy epic House of the Dragon, true crime series Steeltown Murders, and the latest Welsh drama titled The Way.

Alexandria Riley as Baxter

As a fan, I’d describe Baxter as my fellow officer at the police station, focusing on crime scene forensics. We share a friendly camaraderie, exchanging playful banter and light-hearted conversations amidst our intense work environment.

Has Alexandria Riley appeared in any other productions besides the ones mentioned?

Rithvik Andugula as DC Evan Chaudhry

Chaudhry is one of Janie’s fellow officers on the local police department, often assisting her in solving cases as they collaborate together.

Has Rithvik Andugula acted in anything else aside from Extraordinary on Disney Plus and O’Dessa, where Sadie Sink was the lead?

Melanie Walters as Yvonne

In my film-critic perspective, Yvonne is the deeply concerned and loving mother of Janie, often displaying affection through methods that might occasionally grate on her daughter’s nerves.

Has Melanie Walters appeared in any other productions besides Gavin & Stacey, Death Valley, Father Brown, and Biff & Chip?

Death Valley confirmed guest stars

Just like the popular mystery series Death in Paradise and Midsomer Murders, Death Valley will incorporate a regular rotation of guest actors to solve different mysteries.

Notable among the familiar faces are Vicki Pepperdine from Bad Education, Kiell Smith-Bynoe of Ghosts, Sian Gibson who starred in Car Share and The Power of Parker, Patricia Hodge previously seen on All Creatures Great and Small, and Jim Howick from Here We Go.

We’re still unsure about the characters each guest actor will portray, and it’s a mystery if any of them might turn out to be the villain in their own storylines. Don’t miss Death Valley every Sunday night for all the latest updates!

Read More

2025-05-25 10:36