Filming has begun on the second series of successful Welsh-language drama Yr Amgueddfa – and this time the excitement takes place away from the capital city in some of West Wales's most iconic locations.

Nia Roberts returns as Dela – she has had a secondment from her role as director of the National Museum Cardiff after the events of the first series. She now runs a museum in a rural town and is living with her partner Caleb (Steffan Cennydd) in a rambling old house which is totally different from her luxurious house in Cardiff.

Art crime was at the heart of the first series of Yr Amgueddfa (The Museum) – and that element of art crime is still there under the surface according to script writer Fflur Dafydd.

Fflur said: "We're focussing on the treasures of Wales and in particular Welsh gold – some artefacts made from gold from the Dolau Cothi Roman gold mines and one historic and priceless object which is in the British Museum. I don't want to say too much at the moment, but this treasure will be a part of the story and the mystery."

This series will be filmed in several well-known locations in Carmarthenshire including Carmarthenshire Museum in Abergwili, National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne and Llyn y Fan Fach near Llandovery.

Several familiar characters from the first series will be returning including Elinor (Sharon Morgan) Nia's mother and Nia's daughter Mags (who will be played by Bethan McLean in this series). There will be some new characters too including artist Mick (Jâms Thomas) and his daughter Greta (Saran Morgan).

"Mick was an interesting character to write," said Fflur. "He carves marionettes out of wood and there is something quite scary about them.

"There is an element of contemporary art as well as historic art. There are a lot of layers – we look at herbalism, art, gold – and there is a spiritual, supernatural aspect at times. There are just a lot of interesting elements – things you don't normally see in an S4C drama.

"It's current yet almost otherworldly - it deals with these very ancient things and has a very Welsh feel."

The first series of Yr Amgueddfa has been a major success for production company Boom who has sold the series to Brit Box US and Canada and AXN in Japan. The series has also been nominated in the Drama category in the RTS Cymru 2022 awards and the Celtic Media Festival 2022.

Producer Paul Jones said: "There will be a completely different feel to this series as Dela turns her back on the city and makes her home in Carmarthenshire along with its people, history and legends."

S4C's drama commissioner Gwenllian Gravelle, said: "Congratulations to Paul, Fflur and the team who created the amazing drama Yr Amgueddfa. I am thrilled that there is to be a second series of this ambitious and unique drama and I'm sure the new series will be just as successful."

Yr Amgueddfa will be aired on S4C during winter 2022/23.

ENDS