Gwyneth Keyworth, who plays Detective Sergeant Janie Mallowan in the BBC series Death Valley, has described the Welsh filming locations as 'really magic'. The actress spoke exclusively to Reach PLC about the authentic settings used in the second series, which returns on Sunday, 17 May at 8:15pm on BBC One.
Keyworth highlighted Raglan Castle in Usk as a standout location. 'The geek in me was absolutely... I fall asleep listening to history podcasts, so I was like, Raglan Castle? Yes please!' she said. The castle features in the first episode, where a member of a community service group dies after falling from its heights.
The series also incorporates a Bridgend rugby club as the scene of a chilling murder. Keyworth noted the cultural significance: 'What is great is there's an episode set in a rugby club, which, like for Welsh culture, is a big thing. You know, rugby in England is a posh-boy thing; in Wales, it's a working-class thing.' She added that her parents met in a rugby club, making the setting feel authentic.
Other locations include a coastal fishing village in Milford Haven and Port Talbot. Keyworth emphasised that the show highlights both the breathtaking landscapes and the everyday cultural touchpoints of Wales. 'It's not just about the breathtaking landscapes... it's also about the little things like that, like a rugby club,' she said.
In the new series, Janie and her partner John Chapel (Timothy Spall) investigate murders in a Welsh fantasy TV production, an eco-conscious commune, and a fishing village, while navigating their strained professional relationship due to John's romance with Janie's mother.
