Death Valley series 2: Episode 3 guest cast includes Happy Valley villain and star who played 'different' character in series 1
There's also a Doctor Who star you should recognise
Death Valley series 2 episode 3 may leave you a bit confused: Jim Howick is part of its guest cast, but he played a different character in the first series.
We’ve already had an impressive slew of guest stars in the second series. In episode 1, we had Absolutely Fabulous legend Jane Horrocks, and in the second episode, we had the likes of Roisin Conaty and Mark Lewis Jones.
Episode 3 follows a brand-new case. A runner is found dead on the set of a TV series, in a young starlet’s trailer. So, John and Janie are called to investigate and find out who could be responsible.
As per usual, everyone is a suspect – so, let’s break down who appears in Death Valley series 2 episode 3, and who Jim Howick plays.
Death Valley series 2 episode 3 cast: Jim Howick as Randall St Clair
Jim Howick makes a surprise appearance in Death Valley series 2 episode 3. He plays Randall St Clair, a high-flying actor who once played a sidekick to John Chapel’s Caesar. They have a frosty relationship, with St Clair quickly keen to assert his success and dominance over his old co-star.
Here’s the thing: Howick has been in Death Valley before. He only showed up briefly in series 1, but he played Constable Atkins.
However, he wasn’t a real police officer! Any time he appeared, it was in a clip from Caesar. So, yes, he is playing a different character in series 2, but not really – it was a role within his ‘real-life’ role as Randall St Clair.
Howick is a more versatile actor than you may realise (or remember). Yes, he played Peep Show’s doomed loser Gerard and Sex Education’s Mr Hendricks. But he also portrayed Aaron Mayford, a creepy suspect in Broadchurch series 3. You may also know him from Ghosts, 3 Body Problem, and Death in Paradise.
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Leisa Gwenllian as Olivia Whitmore
Leisa Gwenllian plays Olivia Whitmore, the young, friendly lead of the TV show. Her character strikes up an instant rapport with Janie – but is she hiding something?
The 23-year-old will be familiar to Under Salt Marsh viewers, as she played Kath Bevan in the crime drama earlier this year.
It’s only been two years since she graduated from the Oxford School of Drama. Since then, she’s appeared in Rocket’s Island, On the Sea, and Still Waters.
Death Valley series 2 episode 3 cast: Millicent Wong as Magenta Mei
Millicent Wong appears in Death Valley series 2 episode 3 as Magenta Mei, the Oscar-winning director in charge of St Clair and Whitmore’s project.
The Singapore-born actress got her start in London’s National Theatre and the West End, before landing her first on-screen role in the BBC’s 2020 adaptation of Dracula.
She’s since starred in Annika, an episode of Silent Witness, Douglas Is Cancelled, and Rough Cut.
Camille Coduri as Dawn Apsted
Camille Coduri plays Dawn Apsted, the TV show’s make-up artist. Dawn and John recognise each other immediately, because they both worked on Caesar together. However, is she just a friendly face, or is there something she’s not telling him?
Coduri may be best known for playing Jackie Tyler, the mother of Billie Piper’s Rose, in Doctor Who.
She also starred in Him and Her, King Gary, The Curse, and Big Boys.
Jack Parry-Jones as Emyr Davies
Jack Parry-Jones plays Emyr Davies, an enthusiastic set decorator… whose ring is found with the dead body. Is it just a coincidence, or could it be a clue?
The Welsh actor has been pretty busy for the past 10 years. He’s bagged small roles in trademark British dramas, like Holby City and Death in Paradise, while also appearing in Hijack and Martin Clunes’ Out There.
Notably, he played Ser Willem Blackwood in House of the Dragon season 2.
Death Valley series 2 episode 3 cast: Amit Shah as Ashwin Shaw
Amit Shah also stars in Death Valley series 2 episode 3. He plays Ashwin Shaw, the TV show’s on-set medic.
It’s a funny coincidence, given he’s best known for playing Faisal in Happy Valley series 3, a seemingly mild-mannered pharmacist who spirals out of control. He’s one of the show’s best characters; tragic and despicable all at once.
There are plenty of other things you’ll know Shah from, too. After all, he’s appeared in Benidorm, Black Mirror, Silent Witness, Doctor Who, The Witcher, Death in Paradise, Mr Bates vs the Post Office (one of the best ITV dramas), and Murder Before Evensong – to name a few!
Full cast list for Death Valley series 2 episode 3
- Gwyneth Keyworth as DI Janie Mallowan
- Timothy Spall as John Chapel
- Alexandria Riley as Helen Baxter
- Stefan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke
- Rithvik Andugula as DC Evan Chaudhry
Full guest cast
- Jim Howick as Randall St Clair
- Leisa Gwenllian as Olivia Whitmore
- Millicent Wong as Magenta Mei
- Camille Coduri as Dawn Apsted
- Jack Parry-Jones as Emyr Davies
- Amit Shah as Ashwin Shaw
- Louis Raghunathan as 1st AD
Read more: Death Valley on BBC One: All the filming locations, including ‘gorgeous towns and villages’
