Veteran actor Timothy Spall applauded Vera star Brenda Blethyn as he talked about staring in an upcoming BBC detective series.
Spall, 68, was full of praise for Blethyn, 79, who waved goodbye to her role on beloved ITV drama series Vera at the start of the year after playing the Geordie detective for 14 series.
Spall opened up about his role in Death Valley, which the BBC describes as following “the unlikely crime-solving partnership between eccentric national treasure John Chapel (Spall) a retired actor and star of hit fictional TV detective show Caesar and disarming Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth).”
The synopsis continues: “When John and Janie are not arguing about a case, they’re inevitably up in each other’s personal business.
“Despite their differences, they soon realise they are the closest thing each other has to a best friend and unwittingly help one another move on from the past.”
Speaking to the broadcaster about the new show, Spall talked about well-known TV detectives he loved.
“Yes, if you go way back, I loved Callan and Inspector Lockhart (No Hiding Place),” he explained.
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.”
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While Spall is a legendary actor in his own right, his friend Blethyn may have been able to share tips about starring in a detective series, with Vera having aired for an impressive 14 years.
Fans were heartbroken when the actress decided to hang up Vera’s iconic trench coat and bring an end to the series, which was announced last year.
She has since faced questions about the possibility of a Vera spin-off, each time admitting how much she “misses” the role.
Despite previously dismissing scope for a come-back, she said in February: “A special would be nice.
“It’s definitely one of my favourite roles I’ve done. I love the character.”
Opening up of the grief she felt leaving the show behind, she told The Daily Star: “When we get to March, I’d normally be packing my bag to go up north to film, but I will be sad. I will miss it. I had a great time doing it.”
Speaking in September to GB News, she seemed to take a contradicting view as she reflected: “I’m not sad because I’m so happy to have done it.”
She continued: “And I’m just so happy to work with all these wonderful people.
“The producers and directors are coming up the rear here, I mean, it was such a happy time. So we’ll be friends forever.”
Death Valley is scheduled to premiere on BBC One on Sunday, May 25 at 8.15pm.