Death Valley series 2: Episode 5 sees Silent Witness legend and Mammoth comedian guest star in the cast
Arguably the funniest episode of the series...
Death Valley series 2 continues with episode 5 this week, and Silent Witness fans will be very happy to see a beloved member of the cast appear in a guest role.
This week, Janie runs a rehabilitation course for rule-breaking officers, including Clarke’s old boss. However, when he is found dead in a toilet, Janie is forced to lock down CID to find the killer… As she investigates the crime, Janie struggles to find time for her renewed relationship with her dad.
Of course, it’s not long before she brings John in to help solve the case… Here’s who plays who in the cast of Death Valley series 2 episode 5.
Silent Witness’ Liz Carr stars as Fiona Challoner
Cheshire-born Liz Carr, 54, guest stars as Fiona Challoner in this week’s Death Valley. And her attendance on Janie’s rehabilitation course could be awkward, bearing in mind she’s her senior. But Fiona doesn’t listen to a word she says…
Of course, actress Liz Carr is best known for playing beloved Silent Witness character Clarissa Mullery. It’s a role she played for seven years between 2013 and 2020.
After leaving the forensic drama, Liz played Tina in the sublime dark comedy drama This Is Going to Hurt. She subsequently portrayed Fenn in The Witcher, Judge Gamble in Loki, and Saraqael in Good Omens. Liz also appeared on Who Do You Think You Are? in 2020.
She was in her 30s when she took on her first professional acting role. At that time, she played Mother Courage on stage. She later appeared at the Young Vic with another Bertolt Brecht play, The Exception and the Rule.
Between September and December 2021, she played Dr Emma Brookner in the West End revival of The Normal Heart at the Royal National Theatre. It was the first time a disabled person had played the role on stage. She subsequently won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
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She is also a vocal campaigner for disability rights, after being diagnosed with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita at the age of seven. Liz has been in a wheelchair since she was 14.
Death Valley series 2 episode 5 cast: Mike Bubbins is Cliff Rickard
Barry-born Mike Bubbins, 54, appears as the hilariously-named Cliff Rickard in the cast of Death Valley series 2 episode 5. The former PE teacher and amateur rugby player is most famous for creating and starring in the BBC sitcom Mammoth.
Like his c0-star Liz Carr, Mike came to acting late – and didn’t make his big break until 2018 (in his 40s). That year, he played Wyn in the comedy series Tourist Trap opposite Sally Phillips. From 2021 to 2025, he’s continued to play Tony Mammoth in the sitcom of the same name. He’s also popped up in Josh, Warren, and Soft Border Patrol.
Mike previously played desk sergeant Tony in Death Valley series 1. It’s not the first time the series has re-cast an actor in a different role. Ghosts star Jim Howick played Constable Atkins in series 1, and returned as Randall St Clair in series 2.
Owen Teale is back as Michael Mallowan
Swansea-born Owen Teale, 65, first appeared in last week’s episode 4 of Death Valley series 2. He plays Jamie’s dad Michael Mallowan, a free-spirited hippie who lives in a commune, and who wants to have a relationship with his daughter after years of estrangement.
The Welsh actor has been on our screens for more than four decades, and is perhaps best known for playing Conor Devlin in Ballykissangel, and Dai in Stella. Like many of his co-stars, he’s as comfortable in comedy as he is drama. He recently popped up in the brilliant dark comedy thriller The Revenge Club.
Game of Thrones fans will know Owen as the rather unpleasant Alliser Thorne in the HBO drama, while Line of Duty aficionados will recognise the actor as CC Philip Osborne. Other notable roles include Peter Knox in A Discovery of Witches, Oliver in Wolf, and Lord Guillonk in Sandokan.
Death Valley series 2 episode 5 cast: Robert Wilfort guest stars as Owen Skinner
Welsh actor Robert Wilfort, 49, plays Owen Skinner in Death Valley. Owen is a police officer who is also attending Janie’s course…
It’s not the first time Robert has played a copper, either. He made his name playing PC Harriet in the Simon Day comedy Grass in 2003. He went on to play Tom in Skins, Bob Cratchit in Dickensian, Brett in Power Monkeys, and Mr Finch in Bridgerton.
He’s perhaps best known for playing Jason West in the cast of Gavin & Stacey. He’s also famous for playing Giles Fleet in Dalgliesh, and George Cavendish in Wolf Hall.
Most recently, Robert played Murgatroyd in A Woman of Substance.
Who else appears in the guest cast?
Abby Vicky-Russell plays Gemma Mason. She’s best known for portraying Julie in The Power of Parker, and Harriet in I Hate You, and Mango in Deep Heat.
Ben Rufus Green stars as Andy Ashton. He’s largely famous for his comedic roles. These include Rufus Middleton in New Stage, Peter Bacq in NeighbourHOOD, David in The Cockfields. More recently, he popped up in Dinosaur as Shane.
Full cast list of Death Valley series 2 episode 5:
Timothy Spall returns as John Chapel.
Gwyneth Keyworth stars as DI Janie Mallowan.
Steffan Rhodri is DCI Clarke.
Alexandria Riley portrays Helen Baxter.
Rithvik Andugula plays DC Evan Chaudhry.
Liz Carr guest stars as Fiona Challoner.
Mike Bubbins is Cliff Rickard.
Owen Teale is back as Michael Mallowan.
Robert Wilfort stars as Owen Skinner.
Abby Vicky-Russell plays Gemma Mason.
Ben Rufus Green stars as Andy Ashton.
Casualty’s Nadia Wyn Abouayen portrays Aisha Lanzetta.
Newcomer Andrew Cocker is Phil Holmes.
Read more: All the filming locations used in Death Valley, including ‘beautiful and picturesque’ seaside town
