Latest news with #TimothySpall
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Completely free streaming service rivalling Sky now available on more TVs
A streaming app that's been touted as a rival to Sky Glass will soon be available on more smart TVs. First launched in April last year, Freely is a relatively new free streaming service backed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, and gives users the ability to stream live and on-demand TV all in one place, without paying a subscription fee. It's similar to Sky Glass, which also lets viewers tune into hundreds of live and on-demand channels via a broadband connection, rather than an aerial. Viewers can pause and rewind live TV with the app too. While Sky Glass TV owners have to pay a minimum of £26 per month for content, Freely is, as the name suggests, completely free. Sky Glass does offer premium features that viewers won't find on Freely, however, such as personalisation for each member of the family, as well as the ability to 'bookmark' favourite shows. But now it's been announced that TVs powered by technology company Roku will have Freely installed, which includes models from brands including JVC, Logik, Sharp, METZ and Polaroid. Meanwhile, Hisense, Bush, Panasonic and Toshiba already sell TVs with the Freely app. Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, said of the news: 'Offering freely on the Roku operating system is a major milestone for us, as we continue to expand reach for the free streaming platform. 'We're delighted that as a huge global player, Roku has recognised the importance of easy and seamless access to public service broadcast content for UK audiences and I look forward to seeing Freely smart TVs with Roku in market this summer.' Freely replicates the terrestrial TV experience of browsing through a programme guide, meaning viewers can enjoy offerings from BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Film4, 5USA, U, Dave and many more. This includes classic favourites such as Race Across the World, Downton Abbey, Derry Girls and Gogglebox. Meanwhile, popular new shows that have landed recently include Death Valley, a cosy crime drama starring Timothy Spall, season two of BBC hit drama The Gold and The Secrets She Keeps, a gripping Australian thriller now available via Channel 4. Earlier this year, Freely announced the launch of 16 new channels, including three Channel 4 channels that viewers 'won't find anywhere else'. 4Reality will feature reality TV gold like Married at First Sight, while 4Homes will offer dream homes, renovations and design inspiration with shows like Grand Designs. The channel 4Life will bring travel, food and animals to screens with shows like The Dog House. There are 11 new Channel 5 live channels that were also added, including Police Interceptors, 5 Cops and Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. More Trending Six of these are exclusive to Freely and My5, including The Yorkshire Vet, GPs Behind Closed Doors and Milkshake. Freely has also recently launched two ITV channels called The Chase and Saturday Night Every Night, which are also available on ITVX. Akhila Khanna, ITV Director of Distribution, said at the time: 'At ITV we're proud to be part of Freely and making these channels available to the Freely TV Guide reinforces our commitment to delivering fantastic, free content through this innovative platform and showcases our continued collaboration with other leading UK broadcasters.' View More » A version of this article was published on April 16, 2025. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Michelle Keegan lines up eye-watering 'six-figure deal' in first job since having baby MORE: Sky's most affordable 4K TV yet launches – with no dish, box, and just £6 a month MORE: 13 of the best and most blood-curdling shark movies streaming right now
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Who is in the cast of Death Valley? Full list
Death Valley features stars from Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and Gavin and Stacey 👀 Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Timothy Spall leads the cast of this BBC mystery series. Death Valley also features other familiar faces. But who exactly is in the cast of the six-part show? Death Valley will continue this weekend with a brand new episode on the BBC. The six-part mystery series set in Wales follows a mismatched duo of crime fighters. Timothy Spall takes on the starring role as a national treasure turned amateur detective. However he is not the only familiar face in the cast. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But who else do you recognise in Death Valley - and where do you know them from? Here's all you need to know: What time is Death Valley on TV today? Timothy Spall (L) and Gwyneth Keyworth (R) in Death Valley | BBC The latest episode of the mystery series will be broadcast on the BBC later today (June 15). It is set to start at 8.15pm and will run for approximately 45 minutes, finishing at 9pm. If you don't want to wait for the rest of the season, the full Death Valley boxset is already available on iPlayer. All six episodes are available to watch right now. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The preview for the latest episode, via Radio Times, reads: 'Janie investigates the murder of an am-dram theatre director. She enlists John's help, and he takes matters into his own hands and joins the cast of the theatre group's next play. 'He finds himself unexpectedly reminded of why he fell in love with acting in the first place, while a downtrodden suspect standing up for themselves inspires Janie to confront her own demons from the past.' Who is in the cast of Death Valley? The show features plenty of familiar faces and recognisable names beyond just Timothy Spall, of course. The BBC has confirmed the main and guest actors: Main cast Timothy Spall as John Chapel Gwyneth Keyworth as DS Janie Mallowan Steffan Rhodri as DCI Barry Clarke Alexandria Riley as Baxter Rithvik Andugula as DC Evan Chaudhry Guest actors Melanie Walters as Yvonne Patricia Hodge as Helena Remy Beasley as Rhiannon Mike Bubbins as Tony Sian Gibson as Wendy Amy Morgan as Sioned Steve Spiers as Lloyd Eryn Kelleher as Ava Nathan Foad as Owen Where do you know the cast of Death Valley? Like his character in the show, Timothy Spall is a national treasure and needs no introduction. However, just in case you may remember him from his award winning role as artist J.M.W Turner in the film Mr Turner - and he was also Peter Pettigrew in the Harry Potter films. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Spall originally shot to fame as Barry Spencer Taylor in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. He was also part of the cast for The Sixth Commandment in 2023. The other lead actor in the show, Gwyneth Keyworth, may not have quite the same length of career as Timothy Spall but she has had some memorable roles. She played Clea in the fifth season of Game of Thrones, as well as appearing in shows like Defending the Guilty and Misfits. Gavin and Stacey fans will undoubtedly recognise Steffan Rhodri from his iconic turn as Dave Coaches in the legendary sitcom. He also appeared in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1. Meanwhile, Alexandria Riley is best known for her role as DI Ella Richards in The Pembrokeshire Murders - for which she was nominated for a BAFTA Cymru award. She also had a role in season two of The End of the F***ing World and plays Camille Sims in the Apple TV show Silo - alongside Rebecca Ferguson. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
TV tonight: C4 stages the world's biggest motorway pile up
9pm, Channel 4Every day, thousands of people get into their cars with minimal understanding of the risks they're taking. This documentary is a spectacular corrective to that, staging a multi-car pile-up and enlisting four drivers to remotely control real cars. The results are striking and the aftermath is fascinating as the crash scene is pored over and the extent of the (thankfully hypothetical) injuries is assessed. Phil Harrison 6pm, ITV1 Previous highlights of the ever entertaining charity kickabout include Woody Harrelson smashing a penalty past a visibly annoyed Jamie Theakston, so this year's match has plenty to live up to. On the team sheet are Tyson Fury, Vicky McClure, Mo Farah and Denise Lewis. PH 8.15pm, BBC OneDon't sleep on this detective comedy-drama: unlike most cosy crime shows it is properly funny, all the more so this week as retired actor John (Timothy Spall) helps heroically awkward cop Janie (Gwyneth Keyworth) investigate a low-quality local theatre company. The gags about thespian pretensions are delicious. Jack Seale 9pm, BBC One The second series of the enjoyable drama about the Brink's-Mat robbery continues. The clock is ticking as the gold is processed and starts to disappear around the world. But the police, led by Hugh Bonneville's dogged Brian Boyce, have some promising leads. PH 9pm, Sky CrimeIt's the mystery that gripped New Zealand: in 2021, Pauline Hanna was found dead at home in an affluent Auckland suburb. Was it suicide? Or had the scene been staged? This documentary features an exclusive interview with the only man who knows for sure – Hanna's husband Dr Philip 'Polk' Polkinghorne. Ellen E Jones 10.20pm, ITV1The so-called War on Terror feels as if it has receded into history. But for many of the combatants, it's still agonisingly real. Deeyah Khan's documentary travels through the US exploring the psychological aftermath and meeting veterans of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. 'I lost humanity, I lost empathy, I lost compassion,' says one. PH 28 Days Later (Danny Boyle, 2002), 10.30pm, BBC One Next week sees the cinema release of the third in the dystopian horror series, with the first film's director and writer, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, reuniting for a new trilogy. Before the franchise runs away with itself, here's the 2002 original to enjoy relatively unsullied. Cillian Murphy plays hospitalised bicycle courier Jim, who wakes up to find London deserted – apart from a host of rabid, rapid people infected by a virus. His flight through dystopian Britain, alongside Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson's survivors, is a masterclass in tension and a study of the worst in human nature. Simon Wardell Super League Rugby: Wakefield v Leigh, 2.15pm, BBC TwoAt the DIY Kitchens Stadium. Uefa European Under-21 Championship Football: Slovenia v England, 4.30pm, Channel 4From Nitra, Slovakia. England v Germany is on Wed at 7.30pm.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC Death Valley viewers 'switch off' in droves with one major complaint
BBC Death Valley was the BBC's most viewed launch show for a scripted comedy in five years. Death Valley viewers were not happy with the third episode of the BBC show as many took to social media to claim they were going to 'switch off'. The police drama, set in Wales, stars an unlikely duo - Timothy Spall as retired actor John Chapel and Gwyneth Keyworth as DS Janie Mallowan - as the force are tasked with looking into a series of deaths, including one of a best man at a wedding. The series explores the tension between John's past fame following his starring role as a fictional TV detective and Janie's ambition, as they navigate the challenges of their partnership while investigating the seemingly unrelated cases. Viewers found a lot of talking points about the latest instalment, but not all of them good as they took to X, formerly Twitter, in their droves to have their say. One fan, as writes the Express, had a simple statement to make, saying: 'What on earth is this s***? #DeathValley No wonder everyone is talking about it... It's utter drivel and woke toboot. Refund the BBC if this is the best they can s**t out."(sic) Another joined in, adding: "Heard it was bad, but jeezo it's horrendously bad. The lead lady is soooo irritating and the script is chronically unfunny. A new low for BBC Sunday night viewing, absolutely horrendous." One said: "Frustration peaked for some, prompting them to turn off their TVs, as one viewer confessed: "Caught up with #DeathValley on BBC1. I love stuff staring Timothy Spall but just had to turn off after a few minutes due to the awful co-star detective played by Gwyneth Keyworth shouting all the time. She must be one of the most annoying TV characters ever." As the pile on continued, one said: ""I'm on the third episode of "Death Valley" - I really gave it a try, but it really doesn't get on me. I can't stand the main characters, they are cringe... in general I really like those shows, but this I'll skip and that Ludwig will return soon." And one added: "#DeathValley on BBC1 is one of the worst programmes I've ever sat through!". However, not all viewers were so passionate with their criticism. One said: ""I know a lot of people seem to enjoy slagging off #DeathValley, and I admit that when I saw the initial trailer, I thought it looked poor. "However, having binged the series the other day, I can quash my original reticence & say that I loved it. Daft, funny, cosy & Welsh." While another backed the show, adding: "Enjoying #DeathValley too. It's Sunday night viewing and I remember 'By the Sword Divided' and 'The Pallisers' so this is quite fun." Despite some fans appearing disgruntled, the show has proved a hit for the BBC's Sunday night schedule and the first episode got 2.9million viewers on May 25, making it the most viewed launch for a new BBC scripted comedy in the past five years. You can catch up on Death Valley on BBC iPlayer Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Edinburgh Live
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC Death Valley viewers 'switch off' over 'one of most annoying TV characters'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Death Valley has been hit with a wave of criticism, with viewers reportedly "switching off" just minutes into the third episode. The six-part drama, which aired its third instalment on Sunday, 8 June, stars Timothy Spall as John Chapel and Gwyneth Keyworth as DS Janie Mallowan, investigating the mysterious death of a best man. However, despite drawing in viewers, it was for all the wrong reasons. Disgruntled fans didn't hold back in criticising the show on social media, with one irate viewer exclaiming: "What on earth is this rubbish?". "#DeathValley No wonder everyone is talking about it... It's utter nonsense and woke to boot. Refund the BBC if this is the best they can churn out." Another unhappy fan voiced their disappointment: "Heard it was bad, but blimey it's horrendously bad. The lead lady is so irritating and the script is painfully unfunny. A new low for BBC Sunday night viewing, absolutely horrendous," reports the Mirror. For some, frustration reached its peak, leading them to switch off their televisions, as one viewer admitted: "Caught up with #DeathValley on BBC1. I love stuff starring Timothy Spall but just had to turn off after a few minutes due to the awful co-star detective played by Gwyneth Keyworth shouting all the time. She must be one of the most annoying TV characters ever." Another viewer was left thoroughly unimpressed, taking to social media to express their disdain: "#DeathValley on BBC1 is one of the worst programmes I've ever sat through!". Despite some harsh critiques, there are viewers who have found joy in the series, with one fan posting: "I know a lot of people seem to enjoy slagging off #DeathValley, and I admit that when I saw the initial trailer, I thought it looked poor. "However, having binged the series the other day, I can quash my original reticence and say that I loved it. Daft, funny, cosy and Welsh." Adding to the positive feedback, another viewer shared their enjoyment: "Enjoying #DeathValley too. It's Sunday night viewing and I remember 'By the Sword Divided' and 'The Pallisers' so this is quite fun." Despite a mix of reviews, Death Valley has managed to pull in impressive viewing figures, as reported by the BBC. The show's first episode, which aired on 25 May, drew in a significant 2.9 million viewers on BBC One. This strong debut marks the most successful launch for a new BBC Scripted Comedy in the last five years, surpassing Ludwig's premiere last September, which had an audience of 2.8 million.
