ADHD Helped This Star Shine Bright in Death Valley Detective Drama

Welsh actress Gwyneth Keyworth, who stars in the BBC detective series Death Valley, has spoken about how being diagnosed with ADHD changed her life. ADHD, which stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a condition that makes it hard for people to focus, sit still, or finish tasks. Gwyneth said she was only diagnosed with ADHD about two years ago, even though she struggled with school for many years. She remembers teachers telling her she was not trying hard enough, but she was actually doing her best. Gwyneth said she would often daydream, talk a lot, and have many ideas, but she found it difficult to finish reading or writing assignments.

Gwyneth feels very lucky that she found acting as her career. She said that acting allows her to use her quick thinking, energy, and creativity in a positive way. In Death Valley, Gwyneth plays detective Janie Mallowan, a character who is also neurodiverse. Janie is talkative, full of ideas, and sometimes has trouble with paperwork or switching between topics. Gwyneth said she wanted to show that having a different way of thinking can be a strength, not a weakness. She did not want Janie’s story to be sad or negative, but just a real part of who she is. Gwyneth has also acted in other popular shows like Game of Thrones, Black Mirror, and The Crown.

Growing up in Aberystwyth, Wales, Gwyneth said people did not talk much about ADHD, especially for girls. She explained that ADHD can look different in girls, so it is often missed. Gwyneth is grateful that some teachers helped her by giving her extra time to finish her work. Looking back, she now sees that her ADHD was always there, but she did not know what it was. Gwyneth returned to Death Valley for its second season, working alongside famous actor Timothy Spall. She said working with Spall was amazing because he is very talented and brings a lot of energy to the show. Gwyneth is proud to be part of a series filmed in beautiful places in Wales, and she hopes her story helps others see that being different can be a good thing.