27 April 2022
A gripping six-part psychological thriller Y Golau will begin on S4C on Sunday, 15 May at 9.00pm and will also be available on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer.
Starring Alexandra Roach (Killing Eve, Sanditon, No Offence) other big names in this brand new drama include Bafta Leading Actress 2022 winner Joanna Scanlan (After Love, No Offence) and Iwan Rheon (Misfits, Game of Thrones).
They are supported by a strong Welsh cast including Hannah Daniel (Un Bore Mercher/Keeping Faith/Holby City), Siân Reese-Williams (Craith/Hidden, Line of Duty) and Annes Elwy (Craith/Hidden, Electric Dreams).
Sharon Roberts (Scanlan) has never stopped grieving the loss of her daughter, Ela. Joe Pritchard (Rheon), a quiet, unassuming gardener, was arrested for Ela's murder after her DNA was found at his caravan.
Joe confessed to killing Ela but wouldn't, or couldn't, say why or what he did with her body.
Journalist Cat Donato (Roach), originally from the same town as Ela, has always been obsessed by her murder. Ela had been part of her circle of friends but prior to her murder Ela had been ostracised over a silly teenage squabble, a fact that Cat has tried her best to forget.
The news of Joe's parole hearing and the prospect of his release causes both women to confront the past and the part they played in Ela's final days.
With so many questions unanswered, Joe's return to the community could be a way to get to the bottom of the mystery once and for all. If Joe Pritchard did kill Ela, why did he do it, and where is the body?
Alexandra Roach said: "I was drawn to Y Golau as it's a story of a woman coming home. I've felt the pull back to Wales ever since I left for college. It feels really special to be acting in Welsh again on Y Golau especially as it's set in the area that I grew up. I'm so excited to bring this story and Cat Donato to your screen - and to showcase Sir Gaerfyrddin (Carmarthenshire) to the world.
Joanna Scanlan was brought up in Wales and has been learning to speak Welsh. Y Golau, which was filmed at locations in West Wales including Llandeilo, Llandovery and Carmarthen is the Bafta Leading Actress winner's first role in the Welsh language.
Joanna said: "I can't believe firstly, that they thought of me and secondly, that they thought I could do it! The only way I can rationalise it is - well, if they're crazy enough to think I could do a Welsh language drama, then I've got to be crazy enough to try!
"And I have loved every second of it even though it is massively challenging. And it is hard, there is no doubt, but you get so much reward for that work that it is quite compelling. You just want to go back and do it again. It's been absolutely wonderful and I can't thank them enough (Triongl, S4C, Duchess Street Productions and Channel 4) for taking a punt on me."
Y Golau was created by Regina Moriarty (Murdered By My Boyfriend) and written by Regina along with Anwen Huws and Siân Naomi. It was directed by Andy Newbery (Keeping Faith) and Chris Forster (Hidden).
Filmed in both Welsh and English Y Golau was co-produced by S4C, Channel 4, independent producers Duchess Street Productions and Triongl in association with APC Studios, and with the support of Welsh Government through Creative Wales.
In deals brokered by APC Studios, which is also handling worldwide sales, the series was produced in association with Channel 4 and Sundance Now for the English-language version The Light in the Hall for broadcast in the UK and North America, Australia and New Zealand respectively.
Donna Wiffen and Jo Roderick from Duchess Street Productions, Gethin Scourfield, Nora Ostler and Alec Spiteri from Triongl and Laurent Boissel from APC Studios are executive producers, along with Gwenllian Gravelle from S4C.
In the UK, the series has been acquired by Nick Lee, Head of Acquisitions at Channel 4, Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama at Channel 4, and overseen by Commissioning Editor, Gwawr Lloyd.
The English version will air on Channel 4 and All4
Y Golau transmission on S4C is sponsored by Bangor University.
Y Golau Sunday 15 May 9.00, S4C English subtitles available On demand: S4C Clic, iPlayer and other platforms A Triongl/Duchess Street Production in association with Channel 4 for S4C
IMAGES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kpae399gq1w3yit/AAAQAQ7TjGf_oydnbIh55UyBa?dl=0
VIEW TRAILER: https://we.tl/t-h1doangizl
For media requests outside of Wales please contact Faber & Bishopp PR steph@faberbishopp.co.uk and tamara@faberbishopp.co.uk
CASTLIST:
Cat Donato – Alexandra Roach
Sharon Roberts – Joanna Scanlan
Joe Pritchard – Iwan Rheon
Greta Roberts – Annes Elwy
Wyn Pritchard – Ifan Huw Dafydd
Gafyn Roberts – Aneirin Hughes
Sali Roberts – Catherine Ayres
Izzy Vaughan – Hannah Daniel
Ela Roberts – Ella Peel
Caryl – Siân Reese-Williams
