S4CThe producers behind a Welsh language drama starring Star Wars actor Mark Lewis Jones have said they’re hoping to replicate their global success.
The first series of Dal y Mellt, which tells the story of a group of Welsh misfits as they enter into a world of criminality, was the first Welsh-language drama to be snapped up by Netflix.
The latest instalment has already been bought by television networks in Australia and Spain, with other nations in discussion with the producers.
“We know that there is an international success for the second series before it goes out on S4C,” said Llŷr Morus.
The first series, released on S4C Clic and iPlayer in 2022, was based on a novel by Iwan ‘Iwcs’ Roberts and was subsequently bought and released on Netflix as Rough Cut.
“Selling to Netflix was great,” said Mr Morus, who returns as co-producer of the second series.
“We have so much to offer and what is nice is the feeling that our stories can be original in Welsh but that they deal with themes that travel internationally and are relevant to every country.”
The producer said he hoped the financial impact of global success would help nurture future writers with Welsh stories to tell.
“There are so many voices and so many stories to be told,” he said.
The Welsh TV and film industry delivered a turnover of £460m in 2023, according to Welsh government data.
For Siwan Morris, who stars in both series of Dal y Mellt, it was “lovely” for her Welsh-language work to be available to friends and colleagues abroad.
“I had friends in Ireland contacting me to say: ‘Hey, I’ve just seen you in Dal y Mellt,’ which was brilliant,” she said.
An international television market with a global audience is a golden opportunity for Welsh-language programmes, according to film and television critic Gary Slaymaker.
“To normalize the idea that the Welsh language is part of that is great,” he said.
“With the advent of streaming channels, suddenly it’s become very democratic, there’s a real opportunity if you have the right story.”
“I hope we can build on the success of the first series,” added Huw Chiswell, the director of Dal y Mellt.
“You feel that there is something special there – that the Welsh language is getting a lot of attention – it’s surprising how few people are aware of the language.”
- The new series will be broadcast in Welsh, with subtitles, on S4C, S4C Clic, and iPlayer on January 4 2026