Crime Drama with Warmth and Comedy
The creator of the successful BBC crime drama Death Valley has expressed that crime shows do not need to be relentlessly dark or bleak, as the series returns for its second season.
Writer Paul Doolan explained that the Welsh series was designed to blend warmth, comedy, and mystery, intentionally diverging from the typically darker tone associated with crime dramas.
"As a crime viewer, I've had enough of troubled, grizzled detectives in the wilderness battling their demons," he said.
"Just because someone's dead, doesn't mean we have to be miserable about it."
The first series of Death Valley premiered on BBC One in May 2025, attracting 2.9 million overnight viewers, marking the largest overnight audience for a new BBC scripted comedy in five years.
The narrative follows retired actor John Chapel, portrayed by Timothy Spall, alongside Welsh detective Janie Mallowan, played by Gwyneth Keyworth, as they investigate murders across the Welsh countryside.
Their investigations take them to diverse settings including a coastal fishing village, a sustainable commune, and a rugby club. One episode features Chapel reluctantly returning to acting on the set of a large-scale Welsh fantasy drama reminiscent of Game of Thrones.
"We'd always hoped committing to a show with warmth, that worked as a comedy but also tried to tell a satisfying mystery would find an audience, especially in times that are more interesting, shall we say," Doolan added.
He noted that the series' tone distinguishes it from other crime dramas.
"It's able to find moments of comedy in what is usually portrayed as a very serious, procedural, professional world," he said.
"It's a crime drama populated by flawed, funny, relatable people which, if feedback from real police officers is to be believed, isn't all that far from reality."
As well as being filmed and set in Wales, the Welsh language is integrated into the show. For Keyworth, this element is essential to authentically representing modern Wales.
"It's so important, I think it gives a specificity and authenticity to the show that I feel is an accurate representation of Wales today," she said.
"It's complex and it's beautiful, the landscape, the language, and the rhythm of it all feel incredibly authentic and still full of all the humour that we know and love."
Executive producer Madeline Addy emphasized that Welsh locations are central to the series' identity, with filming conducted at sites such as Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire, Little Haven in Pembrokeshire, and a gothic Tudor mansion in Port Talbot.
"The locations we feature are very much supporting characters within the world of each story," she said.
"I think watching the show is like going on a lovely holiday every week without leaving your sofa."
Spall expressed his delight at the enthusiastic reception of the first series.
"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," he said.
"After all, people pay for their TV Licence and you want to give them the best you possibly can."
He highlighted that the unusual partnership between John and Janie remains central to the show.
"They are often both dismissive of each other's work but also reliant on it," he said.
"They also get on each other's nerves but secretly rather enjoy it."
Keyworth revealed that the second series delves into a more vulnerable aspect of Janie's character, including a storyline involving her estranged father, played by Owen Teale.
"We still see Janie's wit and eccentricity, but we also see a more vulnerable side," she said.
"The humour is still there but we start to see cracks in the facade."
