BBC's Death Valley draws record viewers despite mixed reviews
The BBC has shared the viewing figures for new comedy-drama Death Valley following the launch of the show last weekend, after some viewers complained about the first episode.
BBC's latest offering, Death Valley, which started on the weekend, has unveiled its viewership data amidst polarised opinions from audiences regarding its premiere episode.
The series set against the Welsh backdrop introduces us to detective sergeant Janie Mallowan (portrayed by Gwyneth Keyworth) and has-been actor John Chapel (played by Timothy Spall), who join forces in an unexpected twist to crack down on crime.
Created by Paul Doolan, known for his work on the Sky One series Trollied, Death Valley has drawn parallels with Ludwig and been likened to Death in Paradise.
However, it recently made its debut on BBC One this Sunday past, with the show scheduled to continue on the channel the following weekend, while all episodes can be accessed via BBC iPlayer.
BBC's Death Valley draws record viewers despite mixed reviews
(Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway )
ITV caller delivers brutal divorce swipe at Paddy McGuinness
READ MORE:
Mastermind winner details unique first date after finding love on BBC show
READ MORE:
BBC's revelation confirms that the show's first foray into living rooms garnered 2.9 million viewers during its prime time spot from 8.15pm until 9pm on BBC One—marking the highest debut audience for a new BBC Scripted Comedy in the last half-decade.
This milestone slightly surpasses the viewer count of Ludwig when it premiered in September of the previous year, amassing 2.8 million.
Featuring familiar faces such as Steffan Rhodri and Melanie Walters from Gavin and Stacey in its line-up, Death Valley centres on the "unlikely crime-solving partnership" between washed-up actor John, recognised for his role as a fictional sleuth, and police officer Janie, reports the Mirror.
The show promises engaging dynamics with a descriptive tease: "They'd make the perfect crime-fighting duo - if only they could get along!"
Death Valley aired its first episode on Sunday night
(Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway )
The premiere of Death Valley was met with a polarised response on X despite its reported success in the ratings. Several individuals indicated an early dislike for the show, with swift dismissals being shared online.
One viewer expressed immediate displeasure, writing: "5 mins and switching off - this is AWEFUL soooooo baaad."
Another viewer switched channels abruptly stating: "Had to turn over." Echoing the sentiment, someone else remarked: "I only lasted 10 mins."
There was a consensus amongst others who found little to enjoy about the programme. Complaints kept coming as one critic mentioned: "Ten minutes in...boring...screaming unintelligible actors...no thanks."
While another reeled: "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."
Death Valley got mixed reactions from people watching online
(Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway )
Comments continued to critique the show, with another sharing: "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!!!"
Yet, not everyone felt let down by Death Valley. Some viewers did speak out in support of the show.
An enthusiastic fan praised it, saying: "I really enjoyed that. Hilarious! Policing at its finest! #DeathValley. Well done all involved! :) I howled all the way through!"
Another supporter took to the platform to commend the show: "Not everyone's cup of tea but I loved #DeathValley. Quirky but most enjoyable, acting was superb by both lead actors. Full marks to all involved in this series - looking forward to more. Well done #BBC."
A third viewer shared high praise on social media, writing: "#DeathValley is absolutely excellent. Getting the blend of comedy and drama right is very difficult - but the team have done it here. It can build a following. The brilliant Brokenwood Mysteries from NZ is now in its 11th season. #DeathValley can follow a similar trajectory."
Article continues below
Another keen fan took to the internet to express their enjoyment, stating: "#deathvalley really enjoying the show. Easy going murder mystery. Think Death in Paradise but in Llandeilo. Nice to hear genuine Welsh accents on TV. Tidy."
Death Valley is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Alex Jones reveals she was completely unaware about complaints made against her The One Show co-host Jermaine Jenas
Alex Jones has revealed she was completely unaware about complaints made against her The One Show co-host Jermaine Jenas. Jenas, 42, was taken off the show after being fired by the BBC for sending inappropriate messages to female employees during his time at the corporation. The sexting scandal also cost Jenas his 13-year marriage after his wife Ellie, the mother of three of his four children, announced the pair were divorcing earlier in March. Someone who was oblivious to the complaints was Welsh presenter Alex, who used to host The One Show alongside Jenas. Speaking to The Big Issue, she said: 'I very much take people on face value. But with JJ I didn't know what was going on. I thought he was taking extended leave. 'If that was my daughter and she felt uncomfortable with someone's behaviour, I hope that whatever company she was working for would deal with it swiftly as well.' Jenas, who also has a daughter from a previous relationship, was sacked by the BBC in August, which resulted in him losing his hosting gig on The One Show and punditry work on both Match of the Day and 5 Live. The BBC confirmed their decision while he was on air guest hosting talkSPORT's drive time show. His agency MC Saatchi also cut ties with him before he brought in a crisis PR team to handle the aftermath of the scandal. Jenas revealed he lied to wife Ellie during a family holiday in order to sneak off and take a Zoom call with BBC bosses after news of his X-rated messages was first revealed within the broadcaster. And he also told how she had kicked him out of their £1million home in Hertfordshire after he admitted sending inappropriate messages to two female colleagues. Speaking to the Filthy Rellas podcast last month, Jenas claimed historical problems within the relationship also contributed to the break up. He said: 'The reality is, me and my wife haven't split up because I sent some text messages to some people at work. 'We had issues for a period of time, it all comes to a head and you eventually make a decision to say, as adults, we will be better parents for our children if we just remain friends and that's it. 'We had 16 amazing years together, me and my wife, how many people last that long? Sixteen years. Ups and downs. She caught the wrong end of my [playing] career, bless her.' During an interview with The Sun shortly after he was sacked by the BBC, Jenas admitted his wife was 'raging' over the incident. He said: 'We've not really spoken properly since. She's absolutely raging.' Jenas continued: 'It's just about the children right now. It's the school holidays and they're trapped in the house because photographers are outside my house. 'They're like, 'What's going on, Daddy?'. It's tough.' He added: 'I've got to take responsibility and I've apologised to all of them. 'I don't know what to say about that, to be honest with you. It's just hard at home for the kids right now. My wife's a real one 'My wife is solid and she's amazing. She is kind. She just needs some time.' Jenas bombarded a woman working at the World Cup in Qatar two years ago with unwanted messages asking 'You want my boy now?' During the interview, Jenas insisted Ellie should not fear more women coming out of the woodwork with tales of further inappropriate behaviour. However, weeks after the scandal broke, MailOnline revealed Jenas bombarded a woman working at the World Cup in Qatar two years ago with unwanted messages asking 'You want my boy now?' before sending her a picture of his manhood, despite her making clear she was not interested in his advances. The following week, we also told how he repeatedly pestered a junior make-up artist for sex - and when she told him she had a boyfriend replied: 'Just come to my dressing room early and I'll [perform a sex act] on u… that's not cheating.' That incident took place when he was working for BT Sport in 2017, where he was a rising star as a football pundit.
Daily Mirror
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
BBC gameshow Destination X start date, line-up, host and how to watch
The BBC is launching a thrilling new gameshow - here's everything you need to know. Rob Brydon is set to host a thrilling new gameshow on the BBC, where 13 strangers will compete for a £100,000 prize. The 60-year-old Gavin and Stacey actor will direct Destination X, a show that takes contestants on a mysterious European road trip. Drawing comparisons to The Traitors and Race Across The World, the participants are whisked around Europe without any knowledge of their location or destination, as they try to decipher truth from lies amidst the clues they're given. Each day involves travelling on a bus with sensory deprivation and no contact with the outside world. They must then attempt to figure out their location based on a series of peculiar clues. Only the most astute will be able to separate the red herrings from the genuine hints. As the game progresses, players are gradually eliminated based on how far off their location guesses are, until only the winner remains, bagging a £100,000 prize, reports Wales Online. "It's the adventure of a lifetime, with one simple question at its heart: where in the world am I? Rob Brydon masterminds the high-stakes competition where nothing is as it seems...," teases the synopsis. When does Destination X start? The first episode of Destination X will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Wednesday, July 30, at 9pm. There will be two episodes a week, running for five weeks until the winner is crowned. Who is in the line-up for Destination X? In the first season, Destination X will feature 13 strangers. They include a pilot, a taxi driver, an endurance athlete, a crime writer, a retired detective sergeant, and a content creator. The full line-up includes: Ashvin, 23, economics graduate Ben, 42, surf school director Chloe-Anne, 27, historian Claire, 51, retired detective sergeant Daren, 58, London taxi driver Dawn, 33, care assistant Deborah, 62, crime writer James, 23, e-commerce manager Josh, 26, pilot Judith, 28, nuclear engineer Mahdi, 22, content creator Nick, 35, endurance athlete Saskia, 25, marketing executive Who is the host of Destination X? Rob hosts the UK version of Destination X, while Jeffrey Dean Morgan of The Walking Dead hosts the US version. Speaking of the appeal of doing the show, Rob previously revealed: "I love the thought of the scale of it, because I've never done anything in television with that scale. We go all over Europe to some fantastic places, so the appeal was working on a show of that scale." He added that he took some inspiration from The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman, saying: "I did look to Claudia on The Traitors, I love the lightness of touch there... I didn't want to get in the way of the show, so I was very aware of that. I just wanted to be the bridge between the viewer and the contestants, because people say this, but it's true, they are the stars. "Their personalities really come out over the course of the series, and for me, watching that first one, you see the beginnings of relationships and people's characters blossom." How to watch Destination X? Destination X will air on BBC One and iPlayer, beginning on Wednesday, July 30 at 9pm, with two episodes dropping each week.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Here We Go creator says Bedford representative of the whole UK
A comedy writer has said he set his sitcom in the town of Bedford as it is representative of the whole Basden created and writes the BBC One show Here We Go, which he also appears in alongside Alison Steadman, Katherine Parkinson and Jim former vice president of Cambridge Footlights said: "I thought Bedford was a really good location for a show that speaks to the whole country."I wanted to set the show somewhere that just felt very traditionally English but not really known for being any one particular thing." Describing the show's premise, Basden said: "It's about a family called the Jessop family who live in Bedford and are a very, very normal family who find themselves in a lot of weird and wonderful situations."The full third series of the show is now available on BBC iPlayer, following the premiere of its first episode on BBC One. Basden added: "I didn't want it to feel too regional."I didn't want it to feel like it's a show about London or a show about Manchester or something."While one episode of the new series is set in Malta, the show remains largely based in Bedford, although it is filmed in other parts of the country. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
