BBC’s new cosy crime drama Death Valley has smashed an impressive record already despite some less-than-enthusiastic reviews of the show.
The six-episode Timothy Spall comedy-drama secured a whopping 2.9million viewers in its overnight ratings for the first episode.
This not only made it the biggest audience for a new BBC Scripted Comedy title in five years but it even beat David Mitchell’s fellow crime-solving sitcom Ludwig which landed 2.8million viewers for its premiere in September.
The unexpected frontrunner, which came out last week, follows retired TV actor John Chapel (Spall) who has made a name for himself as a crime-solving sleuth the likes of Poirot and Sherlock.
When one of his groupies DS Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth) tracks him down she hopes he can help her crack some mysteries and climb the career ladder in one fell swoop.
It’s already been compared to everything from Gavin and Stacey (which has broken its own record or two) to Midsomer Murders as we witness the hijinks of this chaotic duo.
But not everyone has had glowing thoughts about the show.
‘Five mins & switching off – this is AWFUL soooooo baaad,’ X user Philgals Swigott wrote.
‘I really wanted to like Death Valley on BBC1, but it’s beyond terrible,’ SonnerSounds added.
‘Sorry, but I could only watch a quarter of an hour of this before turning off and cancelling all future recordings,’ CaroleBlain shared.
Anne Sharman called it ‘so dreadful on every level’ and Robert Halpert said it was ’45 minutes of life’ they aren’t getting back.#
Of course, it has also managed to win over some viewers.
‘I will watch Timothy Spall in anything, and Death Valley seems pretty good so far,’ Roz Laws shared.
‘Contrary to those who hate it I’m loving Death Valley so far,’ Signoramac declared.
‘Only ten minutes in but Death Valley is a breath of fresh air,’ Danny Denay echoed.
And if it’s following the footsteps of Ludwig (also starring Anna Maxwell Martin), we can expect a season two renewal sooner rather than later.
So there’s likely more to come for this plucky young detective and our reclusive actor.
Speaking about their dynamic to Radio Times, the Bafta-winning Harry Potter star said: ‘They recognise each other instantly in their souls. They cut straight through any generational difference, any bizarre sexual difference or anything like that.’
He described it more akin to an ‘uncle and niece’ aesthetic.
It’s been a standout run for BBC comedies over the past year.
In December, the epic Gavin and Stacey finale drew in 19.3million viewersmaking it the ‘most-watched scripted show across all broadcasters and streamers since current records began in 2002’.
Not an easy feat.
All episodes of Death Valley are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
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