Death Valley made its debut on BBC One on Sunday, starring Timothy Spall as a reclusive actor, John Chapel, famed for starring as a detective on a TV series.
It soon becomes clear he seems to have a talent for cracking real-life cases, too, and meets detective Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth), who is trying to solve a murder.
Mallowan turns out to be a huge fan of the actor, and they team up to begin working on cases together.
Unfortunately, the first episode left many viewers disappointed, with some admitting on social media they had “switched off” just minutes in.
One shared on X: “5 mins & switching off – this is AWEFUL soooooo baaad #DeathValley.”
“#deathvalley so bad it’s bad,” a second complained, with someone else adding: “#deathvalley this is unfunny and sick simultaneously.”
“The @BBC’s new #DeathValley is terminally dreadful. Ham acting, implausible script and a waste of Timothy Spall’s talent,” a fourth shared.
Another fumed: “Just sat and watched the biggest heap of s***e ever and it’s called #DeathValley that’s 45 minutes of life I ain’t getting back.”
“Shame #DeathValley had good potential. But it’s so cringeworthy. Can’t believe it was considered good Sunday night viewing. Can’t wait for #Ludwig series 2!!!” someone else commented.
Despite the floods of negative feedback though, some did leave more promising reviews, with one writing: “@BBCOne Timothy Spall #DeathValley brilliant.”
“#DeathValley has promise. Some nice one liners and Timothy Spall never disappoints,” another penned. (sic)
Viewers seemed to be in agreement that veteran actor Spall, 68, was one of the redeeming features of the series.
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Opening up on the role ahead of the series airing on Sunday, May 25, Spall paid tribute to Vera star Brenda Blethyn as he chatted about other detective shows.
“Yes, if you go way back, I loved Callan and Inspector Lockhart (No Hiding Place),” he explained to the BBC.
The Harry Potter star continued: “My friend Kevin Whately, and John Thaw in Morse; The Sweeney was marvellous too.
“One of my favourites is Rumpole of the Bailey, not a detective of course, an eccentric, claret loving barrister, but he somehow always gets to the truth and proper justice and Leo Mckearn was superb. There was the excellent Peter Falk as Columbo too!”
Throwing one more name into the mix, Spall’s respect for Blethyn’s work was clear as he concluded: “And another dear pal the brilliant Brenda Blethyn as Vera.”
When asked if he was a fan of mystery crime-drama shows before starring in the series, he replied: “When I do catch them, I’m always intrigued by how they are constructed.
“I am not very good at working them out though! You often get these wonderful performances in plot bound scenarios and it’s an actor’s chance to play characters that hoodwink the audience by using their acting ability to draw the wool over people’s eyes and pull them into the story.”