Death Valley has just made a welcome return with a thrilling second series, bringing more baffling murder mysteries set against the backdrop of Wales.
Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth are once again teaming up to crack criminal cases as the unlikely pairing of Detective Janie Mallowan and television personality John Chapel in the beloved BBC series.
The second series picks up several months after the first, with Timothy’s character, John, reluctantly stepping back into the acting world. However, complications arise when John’s crime-busting partner Janie discovers he’s also been romantically involved with her mother.
The hugely popular comedy-drama became the BBC’s most successful comedy launch in five years following the debut series in 2025. Every episode delivers a brand new murder mystery set against breathtaking scenery.
View 4 ImagesTimothy Spall has returned to Death Valley for an exciting second season(Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway)
Away from the screen, Timothy also has a well-known wife and son, whom devoted drama enthusiasts may already recognise, reports Wales Online.
Timothy, 69, has been married to his wife, Shane Spall, since 1981. Shane is a published author with two memoirs chronicling her husband’s battle with leukaemia and their adventures as they navigate Britain aboard their barge.
The devoted couple also documented their voyage around the British Isles for a BBC Four TV series entitled: Timothy Spall: Back at Sea.
View 4 ImagesTimothy and Shane Spall are parents to their famous son Rafe
Timothy and Shane are proud parents to three children – Pascale, Mercedes, and Rafe, who has followed his father into the acting profession.
Most recently, Rafe, 43, appeared as Stuart in the ITV drama Secret Service, alongside Gemma Arterton as Kate, a high-ranking MI6 officer who leads an operation uncovering evidence that a UK politician may be a Russian asset. He also featured as Detective Eric Bull in the Sky series Under Salt Marsh.
Speaking exclusively to Reach PLC ahead of the Death Valley season two release, Timothy commended his son for his depiction of complex character in Under Salt Marsh, which was also set in Wales.
“I thought it was spot on, his mum did as well, and she was in the mountains”, Timothy stated, acknowledging Rafe’s accent in the programme.
View 4 ImagesRafe Spall takes on the role of detective Eric Bull in Under Salt Marsh(Image: SKY)
“I think he got it bang to rights, absolutely. I think I really liked that series. I thought it was, it couldn’t be more different to this, but I think it was great. I thought it was really good, I’m very proud of him.”
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Between 2020 and 2024, Rafe featured as Jason Ross in the BBC comedy drama Trying and also played DS Nick Bailey in The Salisbury Poisonings. Additional television credits include Black Mirror, Sons of Liberty, Smoke, and Bait.
Beyond the small screen, Rafe has also featured in Hollywood films. He appeared as Agent C in Men in Black: International, Eli Mills in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, DC Andy Cartwright in Hot Fuzz, Mr Tibbs in The BFG and Noel in Shaun of the Dead.
Death Valley currently airs Sunday at 8pm on BBC One and is available to watch on iPlayer