A retired actor. A disarming young detective. They’d make the perfect crime-fighting duo - if only they could get along.

Written and created by Paul Doolan (Mammoth, Trollied) and set in Wales, Death Valley follows the unlikely crime-solving partnership between eccentric national treasure John Chapel a retired actor and star of hit fictional detective TV show ‘Caesar’ and disarming Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan.

DS Janie Mallowan is desperate to solve the big cases and progress her career. While investigating the death by apparent suicide of wealthy property developer Carwyn Rees, she meets none other than John Chapel, a retired actor who played her TV detective idol, Inspector Charles Caesar. Eccentric and reclusive John uses his insight into character to deduce that Carwyn was murdered, though Janie is initially sceptical of his conclusions.

When forensics prove his theory right, Janie quietly asks him to help with the case. Having shut himself away from the world for years, John is initially reluctant to help. But together they work to solve an intriguing mystery involving an environmental activist, a grieving widow and a bitter business rival, painting the portrait of a man who kept a lot of secrets from those closest to him. Although John and Janie are not ready to admit it, this first case is the start of an iconic crime-solving partnership, and a friendship, too.

Starring Timothy Spall as John Chapel/Inspector Charles Caesar, Gwyneth Keyworth as DS Janie Mallowan, Steffan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke, Alexandria Riley as Helen Baxter, Rithvik Andugula as DC Evan Chaudhry, Mike Bubbins as Desk Sergeant Tony, Jim Howick as Constable Atkins and Oliver Ryan as Ceri Richardson.

Death Valley, Episode one of six, Sunday, May 25, 8.15pm, BBC One.