BBC’s addictive and charming Wales-set cosy crime with Timothy Spall is a witty returning triumph

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It always feels like forever when a new installment of the Paradise series doesn’t come out, but thankfully, Death Valley is here to fill the gap and keep fans happy after Beyond Paradise ends and before Return to Paradise begins.

The first season of the series, starring Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth, was a huge hit with audiences – we were completely captivated! We’d compare it to popular BBC dramas like Paradise and even a touch of Grantchester, but Death Valley truly stood out as something special. It’s a unique addition to the detective genre and quickly became essential viewing.

Season one was a tough act to follow, but we’re happy to say that Death Valley delivers in its second season.

Paul Doolan, the show’s creator, has crafted a delightful series by reuniting the main characters. In the second series, he develops the already present, though somewhat awkward, connection between DI Janie Mallowan, played by Keyworth, and John Chaple, a grumpy retired actor now advising the police.

If you enjoyed the playful arguing between these two before, you’ll be happy to hear they still have great chemistry.

I’m still completely charmed by Spall and Keyworth! They’re just so funny together, and what’s really interesting is how their characters’ connection feels like it’s grown into something really sweet – almost like a father-daughter bond, if I’m being honest. It’s a lovely dynamic and adds a lot to their scenes.

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Honestly, one of the coolest parts of getting another season is watching John and Janie’s relationship evolve. You really see how much closer they’re getting, especially when Janie’s dad suddenly shows up and throws everything off. It’s like, their connection gets tested, and you can really feel it deepening because of it.

His arrival brings strong emotions and could change the course of her life. Although the effects on John Chapel and Janie are somewhat expected, the story unfolds in surprising and touching ways.

Mysteries are central to a show like this, and the series wisely keeps the focus on the cases rather than getting bogged down in the characters’ personal lives. Death Valley presents some intriguing investigations for the new detective inspector, but the question remains: is the recently promoted Janie capable of solving them?

This time, the challenges she’s facing in her career – and with figuring out who she is – are manifesting in a new way.

Last season, Janie was determined to earn a promotion, but now that she’s achieved it, she’s started to doubt her abilities and feel like she doesn’t deserve the success she’s found.

I have to say, Death Valley really grounds the whole show. It feels like the people living in this town are way too easily targeted – and the show doesn’t shy away from that, which I appreciate. It makes everything feel a lot more real and unsettling.

Many of us can identify with Janie’s journey – feeling ignored, then unexpectedly thrown into a challenging situation where we’re left to figure things out on our own. Her relatable struggles add depth and heart to the story.

Death Valley successfully combines humor, emotion, and suspense into an engaging story. Though it follows a familiar pattern for the genre, a clever twist at the conclusion demonstrates that Doolan continues to offer a unique perspective.

Death Valley season 2 is available to watch on Sunday 17 May, BBC One and iPlayer, 8.15 pm.

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2026-05-17 13:19