Samuel LoveA retired actor. A struggling young detective. They’re the perfect crime-fighting duo…when they get along. BBC’s Death Valley – starring Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth – is a wonderfully charming odd couple cosy crime series that excels thanks to the likeability of its leads and a wonderfully familiar and comforting style. As long as the real world remains fraught with hate and darkness, cosy crime will always be there for gentle entertainment to help us escape. This BBC series is one of the better entries in the subgenre in recent years, and while a follow-up series hasn’t yet been confirmed, this could be the next big thing for the Beeb.
Synopsis
The nation’s once beloved TV detective John Chapel lives a reclusive life in the Welsh countryside – guilt-ridden for letting his career get in the way of his final months with late wife Elin. But when his neighbour is murdered, John is dragged back into the world by detective sergeant Janie Mallowan. Struggling to rise up the ranks, she teams up with the widower. Despite their opposing instincts – Janie’s interested in procedure and building a watertight case while John’s captivated by character and motives – this could be the answer to her waning career. As long as her boss doesn’t find out.
Special Features
- Creating Death Valley
- The Odd Couple Detectives of Death Valley
- Death Valley: Scripting A Whodunnit?
DEATH VALLEY is available now on DVD from BBC Home Entertainment
