With an impressive film, television and theatre career spanning more than four decades, Timothy Spall is an instantly recognisable name and face on our screens.
And now, the actor, perhaps best known for his role in titles such as Secrets and Lies and Harry Potter, is back on our screens once more in season two of the BBC's Welsh-set cosy crime drama, Death Valley.
© BBC/BBC Studios/Simon RidgwayIn the show, Timothy plays retired actor John Chapel, who forms an unexpected crime-solving alliance with Gwyneth Keyworth's Detective Janie Mallowan.
Timothy, 69, has many other notable credits to his name, so it's perhaps unsurprising that one of his children has gone on to follow in the thespian's footsteps and become an actor himself. Read on to find out more about Timothy's family, including his wife of 45 years and his three children.
Who is Timothy Spall?
Timothy Spall is an English actor who has enjoyed success on stage, film and television. He is the recipient of some prestigious awards including a BAFTA for his role in Secrets and Lies and a Cannes Film Festival award for Best Actor thanks to his role in Mr. Turner.
© BBC/BBC Studios/Simon RidgwayBorn in London, Timothy began acting when he enrolled at the prestigious National Youth Theatre before going on to study at RADA. After graduating, he went on to land numerous credits in film and television productions including Quadrophenia, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Vanilla Sky, Shooting the Past, and, in later years, The Last Samurai, Harry Potter, Wicked Little Letters, Wolf Hall and Goodbye June.
He's also an esteemed stage actor, having worked with the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company for a number of years in productions such as Hamlet, The Merry Wives of Windsor and more. In 1996, Timothy was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia but has since been in remission.
Meet Timothy Spall's wife
In 1981, Timothy married his wife, Shane Spall. 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.
© Dave Benett/Getty Images for NewMeet Timothy Spall's three children
Timothy and Shane are parents to three children: Pascale, a primary school teacher, Mercedes, a textile designer, and Rafe, who has followed his dad's footsteps and become an actor.
© David M. BenettYou may recognise Rafe for his roles in TV shows such as Under Salt Marsh, Trying and Secret Service, but he's perhaps best known and adored for his frequent collaborations with the filmmaker Edgar Wright, appearing in his films including Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End.
© WireImageRafe's other film credits include The Big Short, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, One Day and Men in Black: International, and he's set to take on the role of PM in Channel 4's upcoming political comedy-drama, Number 10.
What is Timothy Spall's role in Death Valley season 2?
Season two of the BBC's beloved crime drama 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.
Speaking about returning for a second season, Timothy told the BBC: "I've been a little more involved with the development for series two, so it's been excellent working with creator/writer Paul Doolan, making suggestions for John's character and the relationship development between Janie and John."
© BBC/BBC Studios/Simon RidgwayRegarding John's romantic storyline in the new instalment, Timothy added: "It opens up an emotional story for John; there's a journey there – he thinks the relationship he's in with Yvonne is heading towards a long-term one, but it abruptly takes a very different course.
"This also affects John and Janie's relationship as they pair up for a new case, it affords a lot of comedy but also highlights John' habit of self-dramatisation. I love that side of John, his indulgences, which are a mixture of his sophistication, conceits and vulnerability."
Death Valley returns on Sunday 17 May at 8pm on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BritBox.
