Death Valley series 2: Plot, guest cast, and start date of 'oddball' BBC One crime drama including a Silent Witness 'legend'
So many famous faces are joining the cast!
Death Valley is coming back for a series 2 this month, and BBC One has released the first look pictures and guest cast – as well as the trailer.
The oddball crime drama first aired in 2025, and divided some viewers with its chalk and cheese detective duo. But this lighthearted series doesn’t take itself too seriously. More cosy crime, than Sherlock Holmes, Death Valley combined the brilliance of Timothy Spall, stunning locations, and a different murder mystery every week. Add a wonderful revolving guest cast of comedic actors, and it was a pleasing way to pass an hour.
The first look pictures show Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth reprising their roles as unlikely crime solving duo John Chapel, and Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan. And there’s everything else we know about Death Valley series 2 so far, including plot, guest cast, start date, and location.
Is there a series 2 of Death Valley?
BBC One has confirmed a series 2 of Death Valley, and it’s coming in May 2026. The new episodes pick up a few months after the events of series one… Janie has been promoted to Detective Inspector and is busier than ever, with paperwork stacking up quicker than she can clear it.
She’s been ignoring John, too, ever since finding out he’s been dating her mum. However, her hand is forced after a murder in a Community Payback group. DCI Barry Clarke makes her bring John Chapel in as the department’s consultant. Awks.
Meanwhile, John reluctantly re-enters the world of acting. He returns to his thesp roots on the set of an epic Welsh fantasy TV series, when the pair are called to investigate a murder. But will this foray into his old passion ignite something once forgotten in John?
A synopsis tells us: “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.”
When is the start date?
The BBC Studios Comedy series will air on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 8.15pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
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It will air weekly every Sunday from that date.
Who is in the cast of Death Valley series 2?
The always brilliant Timothy Spall will return as retired actor John Chapel, opposite Gwyneth Keyworth as “disarming” Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan.
They will be back, alongside regular cast members Alexandria Riley as Helen Baxter, Steffan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke, Melanie Walters as Yvonne Mallowan) and Rithvik Andugula as DC Evan Chaudhry.
The guest cast is pretty epic this time around, and reason enough to tune in. Our favourites of the bunch popping up across the series include Absolutely Fabulous’ Jane Horrocks as Polly, After Life’s Roisin Conaty as Karen, and Ghosts’ Jim Howick as Randall St.Clair. And a special drum roll for Silent Witness legend Liz Carr who will play Fiona Challoner.
Also appearing are:
- Black Ops’ Hammed Animashaun as Warren.
- Killing Eve’s Alexandra Roach as Angela.
- Baby Reindeer’s Mark Lewis Jones as Gareth.
- Game of Thrones’ Owen Teale as Janie’s dad Micheal Mallowan.
- People Just Do Nothing’s Asim Chaudhry as Omar.
- Pushers’ Lynn Hunter.
- Small Prophets’ Rhiannon Clements.
- Mammoth’s Mike Bubbins.
- Here We Go’s Tori Allen Martin as Amanda.
- Happy Valley’s Amit Shah as Ash.
Where is it filmed?
Death Valley is set and filmed in and around Wales.
Series 1 was filmed in the seaside town of Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan. Cast and crew were spotted filming on Glebe Street, including a bakery called Brod, which pops up in several episodes.
Filming also took place in Llantwit Major, around St Illtyd’s Church and Galilee Chapel on the western edge of the town.
How many episodes is it?
Death Valley series 2 will be six episodes of 45 minutes each. Series 1 is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Written and created by BAFTA-nominated Paul Doolan with episode writers Sian Harries, Ian Jarvis, and Nina Metivier.
Read more: Death Valley on BBC One: Ending of series 1 explained, as series 2 confirmed
