‘DEATH VALLEY’ BRITBOX REVIEW: SILLY BUT GOOD FUN
Another week of releases and we have another British drama to watch and enjoy. This time it’s Death Valley, a mystery series that takes on (and really plays up) the “cozy” mystery vibes.
Death Valley (2025) BritBox TV Review
The stage has been good to John Chapel (Timothy Spall). But now he’s retired and seemingly a little bored, too. His big role was playing on a crime drama. Then, quite unexpectedly, his neighbor dies which throws John into the middle of real murder case. This is also how he meets Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth), an eager detective sergeant working the case. She also happens to be a fan of John, but finds that a TV personality she admired is now a hermit.
Despite first impressions not going well, John and Janie discover that perhaps they both have more to offer than they would expect. Together they work the case which turns out to possibly be a more permanent thing than either of them expects, leading to a friendship neither of them plan on.
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‘DEATH VALLEY’ BRITBOX REVIEW: SILLY BUT GOOD FUN. See another funny #British mystery #DeathValley which debuts on #BritBox for U.S. viewers. Share on XAn exclusive to BritBox, Death Valley is another one of those fun mystery series that we have become so fond of. Coming from “across the pond,” this one is another title that we can liken to something like Ludwig or any other number of funny mysteries that have star power leading their respective casts. What I think this one does is rely heavily on its comic aspects, so think more Queens of Mystery type storytelling than anything with darker tones. This one has more than just fun storytelling. It also has that brilliant cast which includes the well known Timothy Spall. I haven’t seen Gwyneth in anything that I can remember, but she’s charming and delightful – with sass, too, in this role. Even though I only recognize Spall, the cast turn in good characters.
Though modern, Death Valley also really does have solid costuming and style for the characters, which isn’t to be underrated. The show also kind of reminds me of an elevated Castle concept, only in this version we get the posh accents, too. With a mere six episodes, the conclusion is, this is another British crime comedy I quite recommend, silliness and all. It’s also a show that ends with a “don’t let this John Chapel business happen again” warning to Janie, something we all know will continue to happen!
Stream, at publication, on BritBox; episodes one – two of Death Valley are now on BritBox. See more episodes released in the coming weeks.
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Content: there isn’t much to note, as usual. There are murders so we see bodies, but because the show likes its comedy, it doesn’t get dark or graphic. Mentions are made of affairs; and British slang like shag are used. The show is TV-14, but most episodes probably could pass as TV-PG.
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