Death Valley star Timothy Spall has famous Hollywood son and fans will be floored

Death Valley recently returned for an exciting second season with more head-scratching murder mysteries set in Wales. Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth are back solving criminal cases together as unlikely duo, Detective Janie Mallowan and TV star John Chapel, on the BBC series. Season two picks up a few months after season one, where Timothy's character, John, reluctantly re-enters the world of acting.

But there's trouble afoot when John's crime-solving partner Janie finds out he's also been dating her mother. The hit comedy-drama became the BBC's most successful comedy launch in five years upon the release of the first series in 2025. Each episode features a fresh murder plot set against some stunning backdrops. Away from the series, Timothy also has a famous wife and son, who some drama fans may recognise.

Timothy, 69, has been married to his wife, Shane Spall, since 1981. Shane is an author and has published two memoirs about her husband's recovery from leukaemia and their journey around Britain on their barge. The husband and wife also documented their trip around the British Isles for a BBC Four TV series titled: Timothy Spall: Back at Sea. Timothy and Shane are parents to three children, including Pascale, Mercedes, and Rafe, who has followed in his dad's footsteps and become an actor.

Most recently, Rafe, 43, starred as Stuart in the ITV drama Secret Service, alongside Gemma Arterton as Kate, a high-ranking MI6 officer who leads an operation uncovering evidence that a UK politician may be a Russian asset. He also starred as Detective Eric Bull in the Sky series Under Salt Marsh. Speaking exclusively to Reach PLC ahead of the Death Valley season two release, Timothy praised his son for his portrayal of complex Detective Eric Bull in Under Salt Marsh, which was also set in Wales. "I thought it was spot on, his mum did as well, and she was in the mountains", Timothy said, acknowledging Rafe's accent in the show.

"I think he got it bang to rights, absolutely. I think I really liked that series. I thought it was, it couldn't be more different to this, but I think it was great. I thought it was really good, I'm very proud of him." Between 2020 and 2024, Rafe starred as Jason Ross in the BBC comedy drama Trying and also portrayed DS Nick Bailey in The Salisbury Poisonings.

Other television credits include Black Mirror, Sons of Liberty, Smoke, and Bait. Away from the small screen, Rafe has also appeared in Hollywood movies. He starred as Agent C in Men in Black: International, Eli Mills in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, DC Andy Cartwright in Hot Fuzz, Mr Tibbs in The BFG and Noel in Shaun of the Dead. Death Valley currently airs every Sunday at 8pm, and is available to stream on iPlayer