Death Valley returning to BBC One for a second series

And filming has already begun!

Filming began this week in Wales on a second series of Death Valley starring Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth as BBC One confirm that the hit show, written and created by Paul Doolan, will be returning to BBC One.

The unlikely crime solving duo make a welcome return as retired actor John Chapel and disarming Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan, alongside regular cast Alexandria Riley as Helen Baxter, Steffan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke, Melanie Walters as Yvonne Mallowan and Rithvik Andugula as DC Evan Chaudhry.

Set in Wales, the first series of Death Valley launched with the largest UK overnights audience for a new scripted show in five years, with the series averaging a strong 4.6 million average across 28-days.

On BBC One Wales, it was the biggest comedy so far this year, averaging 400,000 viewers. On BritBox North America it was the second most watched show of the year so far, in the first 30 days on the service.

On Death Valley returning, Gwyneth Keyworth said "’m so chuffed Janie and John get to bicker their way through some more deadly crime scenes. Thank you so much to everyone who watched and supported the show! I can’t wait to be back ‘corpsing’ with Timothy and the gang for series two!"

To which Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy Commissioning, added "The trouble with recommissioning Death Valley is it means the crime rate in Wales is about to skyrocket again. But if that’s the price we pay for more brilliant performances from Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth, and more scripts from Paul Doolan, then so be it. Delighted to bring the team back for more murder and mischief."

Paul Doolan, Creator/Writer and Exec Producer, said "I’ve been delighted with the reaction to Death Valley and can’t wait to bring more John, Janie and Alan the cat to screens. I’m very excited for viewers to see where the next series takes them as we pit them against an array of cunning murderers and, more often than not, against each other."

To which Josh Cole, Head of Comedy as BBC Studios Comedy, added "While we would never usually encourage murder, in the case of Death Valley we’re honoured to make an exception. The first series was a record-breaking hit with audiences and Paul’s scripts for series two are even better. We can’t wait to get going.”

And Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales said "Death Valley has such a distinctive look, tone and feel about it – all of which audiences have completely fallen in love with. The numbers in Wales have been huge! It’s lovely to see our neck of the woods providing both the bucolic backdrop and a cast of amazing characters who have the UK sitting on the edge of their seats week in week out. Amazing work from the very brightest and best."

Produced by BBC Studios Comedy in association with BritBox for BBC One and iPlayer, Death Valley is written and created by Paul Doolan, with additional material by Sian Harries. The new series will be produced by Nikki Wilson, directed by Simon Hynd and Claire Winyard and executive produced by Madeline Addy, Josh Cole, Paul Doolan and Timothy Spall.

Guest artists and TX details will be announced at a later date.

Death Valley will return to BBC One