Death Valley

Seeing Timothy Spall in a new detective series the first thing that I thought was I hope its good enough for him. I think he's a brilliant actor. Probably my favourite performance of his was as Ian Paisley opposite Colm Meeny. I was also a little concerned when I saw it was set in wales. Having just seen the first episode and the first face I noticed was that of Steve Mao (hoffeman in high hopes) raised my expectations and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise from there on. Spall is as always excellent and the support cast do a fine job. Welsh humour is on show and I had a few chuckles along the way. It fits well into the cosy mystery slot and I must say Im looking forward to the next. I have to say that Tim playing a retired actor sort of in the vein of the crew of galaxyquest is inspired.

This show is great fun and a new spin on murder mystery show. I loved the relationship between Timothy Spall's character and Gwyneth Keyworth's character. I've always loved these two actors and they work so well together. Lovely setting in Wales and lots of other good actors. Murder mystery with some comedy. I binged watched in two days. I hope they make more! Just give this show a chance. If you like Death in Paradise, and Midsomer Murders, I am sure you will enjoy this. I also loved the Welsh accents and when some characters spoke in Welsh. The relationship between Gwyneth Keyworth and her mum is great too.

Early in the first episode, there's a TV murder mystery on in the background and one of the characters comments that they're all the same. So there can be no doubt in the viewer's mind as to whether "Death Valley" is intended to be a serious murder mystery series or a tongue-in-cheek self-mocking amusement. There's a hint in the title as well

The actual murder mysteries are rather silly, but that's partly the point. The show is witty and amusing, and the characters are fun. The main draw is Timothy Spall, who is as wonderful as usual, playing a retired actor. Gwyneth Keyworth is also very good as the slightly goofy police officer who relies on Spall for help in solving the crimes, while trying to keep this fact away from her superiors.

As others here have pointed out, she's a thoroughly off-putting character. And not even in a convincing or consistent way. At the start of episode 1, she's so thrilled to see Timothy Spall, as a TV detective-show star she idolizes, that she acts like a breathless schoolgirl fan (though she's supposed to be a cop). Yet just minutes after pushing her way into his home and chatting with him, she's inexplicably treating him with disdain and is impatient to leave. A couple of scenes later, talking with him in a coffee shop, she begins helping herself to chunks of his brownie... and apparently we're supposed to find this hilarious. I did not. And that's as far as I got.

Unlike some other reviewers, I am writing this after seeing all if the first series (6 episodes viewed in 2 days).

Yes, to a lot of English viewers this will be different to what they are used to seeing but the complexities of Welsh life is here to see and beautifully crafted by the writer and executed by the recognisable cast.

It's good see the Welsh language featured on prime time tv (there are 3 recognised spoken languages in the UK) and the sides for the shoe has been compared to last year's non-detective detective comedy show Ludwig.

It has to be said that the show does lose its way mid-series but the season finale has the show back on form.

It would be great to see it back (Bach?) but it does need a strong script to do so.