BBC Death Valley star on what's 'haunted her entire life' as health diagnosis help with new role
BBC Death Valley star on what's 'haunted her entire life' as health diagnosis help with new role
Gwyneth Keyworth stars opposite Timothy Spall in BBC One's new drama, Death Valley, but the actress has opened up about her struggles with ADHD.
Gwyneth Keyworth plays Janie, a Welsh detective with an obsession for old TV detective shows
(Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Jay Brooks )
Being neurodivergent can be challenging, as actress Gwyneth Keyworth recently confessed, her condition can sometimes be difficult to manage and even admitted "that has haunted me my entire life."
Whilst in a BAFTA Cymru Q&A session for her new BBC comedy crime drama Death Valley, the actress told the audience how there are some parallels between her and her character Janie when it comes to neurodiversity. Gwyneth, who has been diagnosed with ADHD said that she had struggled growing up with the condition.
Her new series, follows her character Janie Mallowan, a Welsh detective sergeant who teams up with her favourite actor John Chapel, played by Timothy Spall, to solve crimes around the Welsh Valleys. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter .
Gwyneth told the audience that she worked with the writer to reflect her own neurodiversity in her character after saying that her ADHD "has haunted me my entire life."
She said: "I'm diagnosed ADHD, and when I was in school in a certain system it was really hard, but in real life there's always some real pros to it.
"So, it was really about letting that be part of Janie, because she doesn't work the way everyone else works, but the way she does work - works for her."
Article continues below
She also added that despite struggling herself with the condition: "I think that's the lovely thing about how Janie's been written, is it is not a hindrance."
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Recently she also confessed that she wouldn't be able to take on a career as a detective. She admitted: "I'm definitely not built for detective work. I have , I can't keep track of anything!"
The actress added: "Janie and I are both scatty. I am always losing stuff, but Janie is more direct than I am and a lot more blunt. I like her commitment to being good at her job and how she won't let anyone get in the way of it."
Despite being her first leading role, Gwyneth has previously starred in numerous large scale projects. This includes another BBC series set in Wales, Lost Boys & Fairies, where she played the character Becky. She has also starred in Game of Thrones, Netflix's Black Mirror, The Crown and also Misfits.
She also spoke of working with Timothy Spall and said that her co-star looked out for her on set. Gwyneth said: "He is the best and not only is he an amazing actor, but he is also a really nice and kind person.
Article continues below
"I learnt so much from him especially on how to approach leading a series. We became really good friends, and I always knew he had my back, he would say: 'take a minute, we've got this.'"
Death Valley will air on Sunday, May 25 at 8.15pm on BBC One, however the whole boxset will be launching on BBC iPlayer at the same time.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
29 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Ncuti Gatwa breaks silence on Doctor Who exit after Billie Piper is confirmed as replacement
Scroll down to find out what Ncuti had to say about his Doctor Who departure moving on Ncuti Gatwa breaks silence on Doctor Who exit after Billie Piper is confirmed as replacement Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NCUTI Gatwa has broken his silence on exiting Doctor Who - after Billie Piper was confirmed as his replacement. Viewers watched the Fifteenth Doctor regenerate into a new character played by former Doctor Who star Billie. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Ncuti Gatwa bowed out as Doctor Who's Fifteenth Doctor Credit: PA 3 Viewers were stunned by Billie Piper's shock reappearance Credit: PA 3 Ncuti addressed leaving the BBC show after two series as the Doctor Credit: PA Speaking in a behind-the-scenes video, the 32-year-old explained his reasons for leaving the BBC show. Ncuti said: "It's a role that demands a lot of you physically and emotionally and mentally. "The actors playing the Doctor are only actors playing the Doctor. Unfortunately, we are mere mortals. "I would love to have the energy and the youth to be able to do this full time for the rest of my life, but my knees are telling me it's time." The star also shared a poignant message to Doctor Who's fans on Instagram. He penned: "Monsters, goblins, gods, human-eating Slugs, invisible brain altering creatures, evil barbers, conspiracy theorists… you've had quite a busy two years. "Well done and rest up son. Thank you endlessly XV." One fan commented: "I could have easily watched 20 seasons with you as the Doctor!" While another shared: "You were a phenomenal Doctor, who truly showed the emotional side that no one could ever portray. Thank you Ncuti." His replacement, Billie, previously played companion Rose Tyler on and off from 2005 to 2010. Billie Piper announced as new Doctor Who as she replaces Ncuti Gatwa in BBC series Fans were left stunned by her shock comeback in the BBC programme's latest episode - although it's unclear if it will be a permanent move. Upon the regeneration, Billie's character mumbled a quick "Oh Hello!" and smiled before the series ended. She said of her return: "It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse. "But who, how, why and when, you'll just have to wait and see." Last month, The Sun revealed Ncuti's departure from Doctor Who after just two series. He was first announced as the Doctor in 2022, taking over from Jodie Whittaker. Who has starred in Doctor Who? Which actors have portrayed the famous Time Lord over the years? First Doctor: William Hartnell (1963 - 1966) Second Doctor: Patrick Troughton (1966 - 1969) Third Doctor: Jon Pertwee (1970 - 1974) Fourth Doctor: Tom Baker (1974 - 1981) Fifth Doctor: Peter Davidson (1982 - 1984) Sixth Doctor: Colin Baker (1984 - 1986) Seventh Doctor: Sylvester McCoy (1987 - 1989) Eighth Doctor: Paul McGann (1996) Ninth Doctor: Christopher Eccleston (2005) Tenth Doctor: David Tennant (2005 - 2010) 11th Doctor: Matt Smith (2010 - 2013) 12th Doctor: Peter Capaldi (2014 - 2017) 13th Doctor: Jodie Whittaker (2018 - 2022) 14th Doctor: David Tennant (2023) 15th Doctor: Ncuti Gatwa (2023 - present)
The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
EastEnders fans predict recast after huge character is rumoured to return – and it's a familiar face
EASTENDERS fans reckon a recast is on the cards with a very familiar face taking over. BBC viewers are convinced a legendary Walford resident is making a comeback. 4 4 EastEnders favourite Max Bowden is set for a dramatic return as Ben Mitchell - months after his shock exit from the soap. The actor, who played the troubled Mitchell for five years, left Albert Square last year after Ben was extradited to the US for credit card fraud. The Sun has revealed Max could be back on screen sooner than fans think, with bosses lining him up for a guest stint - and a possible full-time comeback on the cards. A source said that the soap's new producer Ben Wadey had a "list of characters he wanted to bring back" after taking over from Chris Clenshaw, with Ben Mitchell being one of them. But fans think the next actor to play Ben should be Daniel Delaney, the actor who portrayed a younger version of Phil in two spin off episodes. Taking to Reddit, one fan wrote: "Not only is he the spitting image of Steve McFadden but he's also a fantastic young actor too. "It wouldn't be the first time someone has played two characters in the same show either." Daniel Delaney played a younger Phil Mitchell in the flashback episodes during Phil's psychosis storyline. The actor was praised for both his resemblance to Steve McFadden and his powerful performance. The episode even won the award for Best Single Episode at this year's British Soap Awards. Coronation Street and Emmerdale humiliated at British Soap Awards as rival soap wins EIGHT gongs EastEnders managed to secure a total of eight wins in its 40th anniversary year. Meanwhile, addressing his EastEnders exit last year, Max Bowden admitted he was suffering from burnout and knew it was time to step away. 'The important thing was my time was ready. I was very tired, and like I said, I wasn't me, I wasn't,' he said candidly. 'The Max sat in front of you today was kind of a ghost - and they recognised that. I recognised that.' He continued: "I did nearly six hundred episodes in five years, which is a hell of a lot, and it was time for a rest. "The character was tired, I was tired, they [the producers] were probably tired of me being tired. "From an honest perspective, I think yeah, a lot of it was that I needed to go for a bit. "I needed to go work on me, get myself back to a place of really good mental health, focus on healing and also be a dad." 4
The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
Ncuti Gatwa breaks silence on Doctor Who exit after Billie Piper is confirmed as replacement
NCUTI Gatwa has broken his silence on exiting Doctor Who - after Billie Piper was confirmed as his replacement. Viewers watched the Fifteenth Doctor regenerate into a new character played by former Doctor Who star Billie. 3 3 Speaking in a behind-the-scenes video, the 32-year-old explained his reasons for leaving the BBC show. Ncuti said: "It's a role that demands a lot of you physically and emotionally and mentally. "The actors playing the Doctor are only actors playing the Doctor. Unfortunately, we are mere mortals. "I would love to have the energy and the youth to be able to do this full time for the rest of my life, but my knees are telling me it's time." The star also shared a poignant message to Doctor Who's fans on Instagram. He penned: "Monsters, goblins, gods, human-eating Slugs, invisible brain altering creatures, evil barbers, conspiracy theorists… you've had quite a busy two years. "Well done and rest up son. Thank you endlessly XV." While another shared: "You were a phenomenal Doctor, who truly showed the emotional side that no one could ever portray. Thank you Ncuti." His replacement, Billie, previously played companion Rose Tyler on and off from 2005 to 2010. Billie Piper announced as new Doctor Who as she replaces Ncuti Gatwa in BBC series Fans were left stunned by her shock comeback in the BBC programme's latest episode - although it's unclear if it will be a permanent move. Upon the regeneration, Billie's character mumbled a quick "Oh Hello!" and smiled before the series ended. She said of her return: "It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse. "But who, how, why and when, you'll just have to wait and see." Last month, The Sun revealed Ncuti's departure from Doctor Who after just two series. He was first announced as the Doctor in 2022, taking over from Jodie Whittaker. Who has starred in Doctor Who? Which actors have portrayed the famous Time Lord over the years? First Doctor: William Hartnell (1963 - 1966) Second Doctor: Patrick Troughton (1966 - 1969) Third Doctor: Jon Pertwee (1970 - 1974) Fourth Doctor: Tom Baker (1974 - 1981) Fifth Doctor: Peter Davidson (1982 - 1984) Sixth Doctor: Colin Baker (1984 - 1986) Seventh Doctor: Sylvester McCoy (1987 - 1989) Eighth Doctor: Paul McGann (1996) Ninth Doctor: Christopher Eccleston (2005) Tenth Doctor: David Tennant (2005 - 2010) 11th Doctor: Matt Smith (2010 - 2013) 12th Doctor: Peter Capaldi (2014 - 2017) 13th Doctor: Jodie Whittaker (2018 - 2022) 14th Doctor: David Tennant (2023) 15th Doctor: Ncuti Gatwa (2023 - present)
