BBC's 6-part Welsh-set series is your next cosy crime drama binge

Calling all Death Valley fans! The BBC has released first-look images of season two, and it's set to be your next cosy crime drama binge.

The six-part Welsh-set series first landed on screens in 2025 and starred Timothy Spall as retired actor John Chapel and Gwyneth Keyworth as Detective Sergeant Janie Mallowan.

© BBC/BBC Studios/Jay Brooks

After forming an unlikely crime-solving alliance, the duo are returning for another series of mysteries, alongside a new list of guest stars including Owen Teale (Game of Thrones, Line of Duty) and Mark Lewis Jones (Chernobyl, Baby Reindeer, Outlander).

The show, which is set and filmed in Wales, became one of the BBC's most-watched new series when it first aired, averaging 4.6 million viewers across 28 days. It also became the number-one comedy across all channels and platforms in Wales in 2025.

What is Death Valley series 2 about?

Picking up a few months after season one, the new instalment finds Janie in a new role as Detective Inspector. With paperwork stacking up and her life busier than ever, she's also ignoring John after finding out he's been dating her mum.

© BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway

The synopsis continues: "Janie's hand is forced after a murder in a Community Payback group when DCI Barry Clarke forces her to bring John Chapel in as the department's consultant."

"Series two sees John reluctantly re-enter the world of acting, on the set of an epic Welsh fantasy TV series, when the pair are called to investigate a murder. Will this foray into his old thespian passion ignite something once forgotten in John? 

© BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway

"One thing is certain, whether investigating a murder in a coastal fishing village, a sustainable commune or the competitive world of rugby, John and Janie will continue to bring justice to mid-Wales."

Who stars in Death Valley series 2?

Alongside Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth, returning cast members include Alexandria Riley as Helen Baxter, Steffan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke, Melanie Walters as Yvonne Mallowan and Rithvik Andugula as DC Evan Chaudhry.

Meanwhile, the guest stars joining this season include Jane Horrocks (Here We Go, Chicken Run), Hammed Animashaun (Black Ops, SNL UK), Alexandra Roach (Killing Eve, Bodies), Roisin Conaty (After Life, Last one Laughing) and Mark Lewis Jones (Chernobyl, Baby Reindeer, Outlander).

© BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway

Other names include Jim Howick (Ghosts, Here we Go), Owen Teale (Game of Thrones, Line of Duty, Sandokan), Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing, The Cleaner) and Lynn Hunter (Pushers & End of the Fxx World).

Rounding out the cast are Rhiannon Clements (Small Prophets, Pushers), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth) and Liz Carr (Silent Witness, Good Omens).

Death Valley will air on Sunday 17 May at 8.15 pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.