18 February 2022

S4C has confirmed that one of their latest drama commissions, Dal y Mellt, will be an adaptation of a popular novel.

The author of the book of the same name, Iwan 'Iwcs' Roberts from Trawsfynydd, is also one of the producers responsible for bringing the adaptation to life.

Although Dal Y Mellt won't appear on S4C until the Autumn, production is in full swing with the crew filming in Cardiff before moving to north Wales, Dublin and then Soho in London.

"I published my first novel, Dal y Mellt, in 2019," said Iwcs. "I knew in my heart when I wrote it that it's a very visual novel. In my head, it was a drama before I even started. Like painting with words in a way.

"Of course, the writing process had begun many years before, whilst working on Pobol Y Cwm. In 2016, Llŷr Morus, who's a producer with Vox Pictures, asked to see the manuscript.

"I have great respect for Llŷr as he has a sharp eye and ear for these things. I was thrilled when he said it was a cracking novel and was interested in adapting it for the screen.

"So, I wrote the series on my own, going back and forth to Llŷr over the course of a year. The whole process is quite a learning curve.

Iwan 'Iwcs' Roberts

"Huw Chiswell came on board as director. Or Huw Chisell as I call him - because he cut entire scenes during the script editing process! At times, I found it difficult to make changes because it is 'my baby' after all, but Huw knows what works and it's a privilege to work with him. I am very fortunate to work with people who are much more experienced in the field.

"The technical crew are fantastic and have put their heart and soul into it. I'm extremely proud of the cast who have agreed to it, you've got; Gwion Morris Jones as Carbo, Mark Lewis Jones as Mici Ffin, Graham Land who plays Les and Siw Hughes playing his mother, Meri-Jên. Gronw is Dyfan Roberts, Lois Meleri-Jones plays Antonia, Owen Arwyn is Dafydd Aldo and Ali Yassine plays Cidw.

"I've never been on such a happy shoot. And as a producer, that's a great thing to see."

For those who haven't read the novel yet, what kind of series will Dal y Mellt be?

"People ask - what would you compare it to: Peaky Blinders, Guy Ritchie's stuff? No, I want people to say, it's like Dal y Mellt. I am firm in the belief that this is a Welsh language drama created for the people of Wales, because frankly, the Welsh deserve it.

"Rhys Ifans states in the foreword of the novel, 'A wild journey into the depths of a world that twists and turns beneath our noses'. I wanted to create a very real world, bubbly and lively. To create situations that people get into and have to try to find their way out of it, and no-one really knows what's going on.

"I think that's interesting for the reader, and that's what I'm trying to convey now for the viewers. So the TV adaptation, which is six hours of drama, will be very true to the novel."

Gwenllian Gravelle, S4C's Commissioner for Drama, said: "This is an exciting commission that will bring something fresh and energetic to S4C. There's an amazing cast that have the ability to create a drama the audience can really immerse themselves in. Through the clever use of lighting, costumes and props, Vox Pictures is producing a really special piece of work with an unique style and feel.

"I can't wait to present the drama to the viewers in the Autumn."