Harsh viewers described the new comedy drama set in Wales as amateur, terminally dreadful and a “waste of Timothy Spall’s talent”
Timothy Spall as John Chapel and Gwyneth Keyworth as Janie Mallowan(Image: BBC)
It was widely anticipated and looked forward to but the new BBC One Wales Sunday night drama Death Valley has had an absolute pummelling on social media platform X. Viewers berated it as “amateur” and “badly scripted” and “terminally dreadful”. Some people wondered how “absolute tosh” like this got a primetime slot.
Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth star in the brand new comedy crime drama about a retired actor and a “disarming young detective” fighting crime in the Welsh valleys. In its blurb the BBC said they’d make the perfect crime-fighting duo – if only they could get along. Viewers were left unimpressed and didn’t seem to think the pair were perfect for anything.
After tonight’s first episode some branded the drama “rubbish” and “dreadful” and “absolute tripe” – and those were the kinder people. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.
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Tom Watson writing as @Watson950 said:”If you think #MidsomerMurders is awful, the @BBC ’s new #DeathValley is terminally dreadful. Ham acting, implausible script and a waste of Timothy Spall’s talent.”
@JoyClifty1 had this to say about the acting: “Oh dear this was horrendous- the woman playing a policewoman is dreadful!!”.
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Some others were more complimentary. Sharon Pritchard posted on X “We were chuckling away. On to the next episode on BBC IPlayer. Cracking Sunday night viewing!
@gordonbennet230 wrote: “Really enjoying Death Valley on BBC 1 #DeathValley“.
The six parter series also features Welsh actors Steffan Rhodri as wholesome DCI Barry Clarke and Melanie Walters who plays Janie’s mum Yvonne. Sian Gibson from Peter Kay’s Car Share, Alexandria Riley of Silo and The Pembrokeshire Murders also appear as does English actress Patricia Hodge who appears as Helena.
The whole series was shot in Wales with Spall portraying John Chapel, the favourite TV character of Det Sgt Janie Mallowen who idolises him since his TV show Caesar helped her through dark times.
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Writer, Paul Doolan was reported as saying he liked the idea of a TV actor who played a detective, and a fan of them, and the awkward relationship between them.
One of the tensions is he’s English, she’s Welsh too.
The series was shot in locations including Insole Court in Cardiff, Penarth and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
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But not all viewers were so critical. It was also described . Our review Inigo Jones had this to say about it – “it’s lovely, funny and Welsh. What’s not to love?” You can read her review here.
Death Valley airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sundays at 20:15 and the entire boxset is on iplayer.