Actor Timothy Spall spoke about the unusual duo at the center of 'Valley of Death's' plot, his affinity for detectives, and the balance of comedy, drama, and emotion in the second season.
The combination of a good crime mystery, a former actor with an inflated sense of his own detective abilities, a determined police officer, and picturesque Welsh countryside creates the unique world of 'Valley of Death.' This British comedy-detective series features the well-known actor Timothy Spall, familiar to viewers from roles in 'Harry Potter,' 'Alice in Wonderland,' and 'Mr. Turner,' who portrays John Chepel—a retired actor finding an unexpected second chapter while helping Detective Sergeant Jenny Mallowan (played by Gwyneth Givort) investigate murders.
Classic Detective
For Spall, who has dedicated nearly five decades to creating memorable characters, 'Valley of Death' offered an unexpected opportunity to immerse himself in the genre of classic 'whodunnit.' Spall admitted to incompetence in solving crimes: 'I am terrible; I have never personally been able to unravel crimes.'
He added that he rarely watches such mysteries, and in his career spanning about fifty years, he had participated in only one such project, making the desire to take part strong.
In Spall's opinion, the appeal of this genre lies in how each murder introduces viewers to a new community, its residents, relationships, and secrets. He explained: 'Every time you enter another locality, you meet a gallery, a cast, a wonderful play. You are taken on another journey, into another world.'
At the heart of 'Valley of Death' is the unlikely partnership between Chepel and Jenny. While Jenny relies on evidence and police procedure, Chepel is more interested in understanding human behavior and motives—an approach Spall feels resembles acting.
Unusual Partnership
Spall noted that much of his time is spent on empathy, feeling, and trying to understand the psychology of people who might be considered despicable. Their opposing methods often lead to arguments, but beneath these disagreements lies a genuine affection. Spall describes their relationship not as father-daughter or romantic, but as one of 'unusual siblings.'
He stated: 'I think it is genuinely funny, but not farcical. Most of the humor stems from the relationship and eccentricity of the characters, rather than from gags.'
This is especially true for Chepel, an actor who 'was born and raised' in this environment and perhaps left the profession, but never completely stopped behaving like an artist. Spall added: 'I enjoy playing characters who are simultaneously irritating yet unintentionally likable.'
What to Expect from Season Two
Regarding the second season, Spall decided to keep the plot twists secret. He mentioned that they are constantly striving to find a balance between three elements: drama, comedy, and emotion. He expressed hope that the series will be engaging, thrilling, and funny. With the return of Chepel and Jenny, who will once again argue, investigate, and ultimately get closer to the truth, South African viewers will soon be able to test their detective skills again.
The premiere of the second season of 'Valley of Death' will be on BBC Brit (DStv Channel 120) on Monday, September 7th, at 20:00, with new episodes released weekly until October 12th.