From the stooped walk of strangers on the street to his iconic roles in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Death Valley, Timothy Spall’s unique brand of wit and charm has captivated audiences for decades. In a candid conversation, the actor opens up about his journey with cancer, crime, and the red carpet ruckus.
A Career of Characters: Timothy Spall’s Wild Ride to Cosy Crime
Playing dead is not an option for actor Timothy Spall. At 68, the Battersea-born thespian has played a staggering array of roles, from sad-sack taxi drivers to world-class painters, and even Death Eaters in the Harry Potter films.
Timothy Spall is a renowned British actor, born on February 27, 1957.
He is known for his versatility in playing various roles in film and television.
Spall's breakthrough role came with the 1994 film 'Four Weddings and a Funeral.' He has also appeared in notable films like 'Secrets & Lies' and 'Shallow Grave.' In addition to acting, Spall is an accomplished voice actor, providing voices for animated characters in several projects.
Spall recalls his early days as a curious teenager, fascinated by the stooped walk of strangers on the street. He would secretly imitate their gait to understand where they came from. This innate curiosity has driven his career, which has seen him navigate the highs and lows of Hollywood and British television.
Spall’s own rise to fame began in 1983 with the hit ITV series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. The show followed a group of British lads building homes in Germany, and Spall played the lovable but awkward electrician Barry. The role made him an overnight sensation, but it was his collaborations with director Mike Leigh that truly showcased his talent.
Working with Leigh on TV plays like Home Sweet Home and films like Mr Turner earned Spall critical acclaim. His visceral performance as JMW Turner, painting and grunting away, won him the best actor prize at Cannes. The film also marked a turning point in his life, as he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
During his hospital stay, Spall’s career seemed to stall. However, when he finally returned home, he found that Secrets & Lies had become a showcase for him, allowing him to continue working while he recovered. The film’s Palme d’Or win at Cannes in 1996 was a highlight of his recovery.
Spall has since enjoyed a Hollywood spell, working alongside big-name stars like Amy Adams and Johnny Depp. His most recent experience was playing the Queen’s equerry opposite Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana in Spencer.
Now, Spall is bringing his unique brand of wit and charm to the BBC’s new cosy crime series Death Valley. As John Chapel, an actor with a passion for solving crimes, he has found a new role that allows him to use his skills in a different way. His rapport with co-star Gwyneth Keyworth, who plays DS Janie Mallowan, is at the heart of the show’s success.
Death Valley is a desert valley located in Eastern California, USA.
It holds the record for the highest recorded temperature on Earth, reaching a scorching 134°F (56.7°C) in July 1913.
This extreme heat is due to its unique geography, with the surrounding mountains blocking moisture from the Pacific Ocean.
Death Valley is also one of the driest places on the planet, receiving an average of just 2 inches (50 mm) of rainfall per year.
The area has been home to various cultures for thousands of years, including the Timbisha Native American tribe.
Death Valley is not just a crime drama; it’s also a comedy, with Spall bringing his trademark wit and self-deprecation to the role. The show’s success has been attributed to its wryly parochial strain of humour and the generation-gap dynamic between Chapel and Mallowan.
When asked about his approach to acting, ‘I lampooned some aspects of acting and brought in some of the pretensions… We all just want to be brilliant, we’re all shitting ourselves and none of us want to look like twats.’ This humility and willingness to poke fun at himself has endeared him to audiences.
For Spall, Death Valley is a chance to create something special. ‘It’s lovely, isn’t it?’ he says. ‘Me, I always want the darkness… It’s not that, is it?’
As our conversation comes to a close, Spall reflects on his career and the characters he has played over the years. From Auf Wiedersehen, Pet to Death Valley, he has consistently demonstrated his range and versatility as an actor.
Death Valley begins Sunday, 8.15pm, BBC One.
