Death Valley season 2 might be only midway through its run on linear television, but many fans are taking advantage of the box set drop on BBC iPlayer, where you can catch all six episodes right now.
The latest chapter finds John (Timothy Spall) and Janie (Gwyneth Keyworth) at loggerheads, as the former is horrified to learn that her former TV idol turned crime-solving partner is dating her very own mother, Yvonne (Melanie Walters).
That becomes one of several obstacles they have to overcome in an eventful six-part season, including the reemergence of Janie’s estranged father – who presents her with a surprising offer.
No doubt, many viewers will be left wondering whether they can expect Death Valley season 3, so we’ll be keeping this page updated with the latest developments as they’re announced. Read on for more.
Will there be a Death Valley season 3?
There’s no verdict yet on whether Death Valley has been renewed for season 3 or cancelled, with the BBC likely to announce its decision in the coming months.
The show’s first season went down a storm with viewers, becoming BBC Comedy’s biggest overnight launch in five years and attracting yet more viewers on iPlayer and catch-up services.
Although industry publication Broadcast noted a “quiet return” for the show in May, drawing in 500,000 fewer viewers than the previous instalment, the more important number will be the cumulative total measured over 28 days.
We can be fairly confident that the main cast and creator Paul Doolan would be happy to make more, given the note on which season 2 ended (more on that below).
Who could star in a potential Death Valley season 3?
If Death Valley were to be renewed for season 3, Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth would be expected to reprise their roles as actor John Chapel and detective Janie Mallowan, respectively.
It also seems safe to assume that series regulars Steffan Rhodri (DCI Clarke), Alexandria Riley (forensics pro Helen Baxter), Rithvik Andugula (DC Chaudhry) and Melanie Walters (Janie’s mother, Yvonne) would be back in some capacity.
Of course, Death Valley is also known for its high-profile guest stars, with a long list of familiar faces appearing across seasons 1 and 2, so we’d also expect another roster of top TV talents to sign up.
Here’s an overview of the main Death Valley cast:
- Timothy Spall as John Chapel
- Gwyneth Keyworth as DS Janie Mallowan
- Steffan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke
- Alexandria Riley as Baxter
- Melanie Walters as Yvonne
- Rithvik Andugula as DC Evan Chaudhry
What could happen in a potential Death Valley season 3?
After a tumultuous period, John and Janie manage to work through their issues by the season 2 finale, leading the latter to abruptly cancel her travel plans and settle down in her beloved hometown.
This opens the possibility for more cases in a potential third season, if the show is renewed by the BBC.
Gwyneth had been approached by her estranged father, Michael (Owen Teale), about a year-long trip to Portugal, which would have taken her away from her job and effectively ended her partnership with John – in the short term, at least.
Ultimately, she decides to double down on her current life, which she greatly enjoys, rather than chase a different future with a father who had never been as reliable or attentive as she’d needed.
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When she lets John know that she’ll be sticking around, he lets slip that he’s accepted a two-month job in Toronto, Canada, filming a project for streaming giant Netflix.
This shorter absence shouldn’t change their dynamic, but it does provide some new avenues for (as-yet-unconfirmed) season 3 episodes, with Janie’s offer to visit him potentially hinting at a Canadian calamity to unravel.
Alternatively, if John’s career experiences a resurgence thanks to this new work, that too could throw a spanner in the works as he’ll be faced with tougher decisions over where to allocate his time.
Is there a potential Death Valley season 3 trailer?
There’s no new footage to share just yet, but we’ll update this page if that changes.
Death Valley is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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