Death Valley | Series 2 Preview (BBC One)

The unlikely crime solving duo make a welcome return as retired actor John Chapel and disarming Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan, alongside regular cast Alexandria Riley (Helen Baxter), Steffan Rhodri (DCI Barry Clarke), Melanie Walters (Yvonne Mallowan) and Rithvik Andugula (DC Evan Chaudhry).

Set and filmed in Wales, the series broke records on its launch with the biggest overnight audience for a new scripted show in five years; the series averaged a strong 4.6 million average across 28 days. For Welsh audiences, Death Valley was the number one comedy across all channels and platforms in 2025.

Series two picks 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. To make matters worse, she’s been ignoring John since finding out he’s been dating her mum. 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? 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.

Guest artists featured across the series 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), Mark Lewis Jones (Chernobyl, Baby Reindeer, Outlander).

Plus Jim Howick (Ghosts, Here we Go), Owen Teale (Game of Thrones, Line of Duty, Sandokan), Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing, The Cleaner), Lynn Hunter (Pushers & End of the Fxx World), Rhiannon Clements (Small Prophets, Pushers), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth) and Liz Carr (Silent Witness, Good Omens).

Death Valley returns Sunday 17th May on BBC One.