The show kicks off with what seems like an open and shut suicide in a bucolic village but Chapel, relying on his acting instincts, senses foul play. Janie, initially irritated by his amateur sleuthing, slowly warms to his unconventional insights. Together, this odd couple tackles murder cases ranging from village dignitaries to walking group tragedies, all threaded with witty banter, cozy crime tropes, and light hearted investigative drama.
Critics have praised the series' charm and chemistry. The Guardian dubbed it "a cosy, witty joy," likening it to "Midsomer Murders with jokes. The Daily Telegraph awarded the opener 4/5 stars, highlighting Spall's engaging performance and his character's rivalry with Ludwig, a classic detective persona. BritBox, which streams the show in the US, describes it as a traditional mystery with comedic flair.
Supporting cast includes Steffan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke, Alexandria Riley, Rithvik Andugula, Melanie Walters, Patricia Hodge, among others, who round out the local suspects, victims, and red herrings populating the Welsh countryside.
Beneath the playful tone lie arcs in which Chapel grapples with grief for his late wife, while Janie confronts her own emotional ghosts-bolstering the warm rapport that develops between them.
With its scenic Welsh backdrop, engaging leads, and classic whodunit charm spiced with humor, "Death Valley" offers a refreshing twist on cosy crime TV. Whether you're drawn by Timothy Spall's seasoned presence or the cozy mysteries, it's well worth adding to your watchlist.
A light hearted and amusing amateur sleuth series but with serious problems with the images. Whether or not the producers thought that maladjusting the black level up for every scene making the whole series look foggy and smoky and using this as a high key effect or whether the post production process was very poor is a moot point!
