DEATH VALLEY (SERIES 2)

BBC STUDIOS · Costume Designer

DIRECTORS — Simon Hynd, Claire Winyard

PRODUCER — Nikki Wilson

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS — Madeline Addy, Josh Cole, Paul Doolan, Timothy Spall

THE DESIGN

Returning to Death Valley for Series 2, I sought to evolve the distinctive visual world established in Series 1, preserving its warmth, eccentricity and character-led identity. At its heart is the unlikely partnership between John Chapel and Janie Mallowan, whose costumes have a carefully balanced, yin-and-yang relationship. John’s layered, timeworn wardrobe carries the history of a life already lived, while Janie’s playful combinations of colour, pattern and silhouette reflect her energy and individuality. Her promotion to Detective Inspector brought greater polish and authority without sacrificing her distinctive character.

Each episode explores a different pocket of Welsh society, creating opportunities for contrasting visual worlds within the series’ established aesthetic. The most ambitious was Episode 3, featuring a fictional television adaptation of The Mabinogion. Drawing on Welsh mythology, I created a heightened fantasy aesthetic through original silhouettes, antique textiles, bespoke prints and hand-crafted details. Custom-made principal costumes and approximately 25 individually conceived supporting looks brought an entire imagined production to life within exceptionally limited resources.

Sustainability remained central to the design process, with over 90% of the costumes sourced second-hand, including vintage clothing and pieces reworked from existing stock. Working with a small team and often extremely short preparation periods, the aim was to preserve the individuality, visual richness and character-specific detail that give Death Valley its distinctive identity.

EXPLORE THE WORK

EPISODE 3 – THE MABINOGINON