Region’s stunning scenery stars in new crime drama
A forest, a body, a scar... and that’s just the beginning of the story in Craith (Scar), a brand new crime drama series starting on S4C in early January.
It will lead viewers on a tantalisingly chilling journey to the root of the mystery.
From the makers of hit series Y Gwyll (Hinterland), Craith tells the story of detective sergeant Cadi John, played by Siân Reese-Williams, who returns to North Wales to care for her ailing father.
However, when the body of a young woman is found in a local river, it becomes obvious that sinister secrets lie within the stunning North Wales scenery.
Cadi’s world – and the world around her – is changed forever.
The eight-part series was filmed in North Wales, and viewers will recognise locations in Bangor, Menai Bridge, Llanberis and Tremadog other places.
Location manager Paul Davies is an expert at finding and securing the perfect locations for a film or a TV series – he has worked as a freelance location manager for more than 20 years.
Finding a secret nook or that beautiful sweeping vista can be crucial to a film or TV programme’s success.
Paul, born in Aberarth near Aberaeron, said: “The brief I got from Craith’s producers was to look for locations in the Snowdonia, Anglesey and surrounding area that would fit the story.
“So I got out and about immediately to get a taste of the area and scout for locations.
“Part of creating a series is that I get a script, but it’s a bit of a two-way thing, as the script can alter or develop as a result of discovering a superb location.
“Sometimes you might come across a really special location which can mean that the script is slightly altered in order to include that location.
“That happened in Craith when I discovered a location in Caernarfon – I knew they would want to write something into the script in order to include that location. It’s an organic process.
“Even though many films have been shot in North Wales, the way that Gareth Bryn has directed Craith brings out the best the area has to offer I think.
“Lots of wide angles were shot, giving it the wow factor – similar to the kind of shots you see in car adverts.”
Paul said he was looking for somewhere coastal for Cadi John’s home.
“I was flicking through the Menai Holiday Cottages brochures when I came across Ynys Castell, a small island which is just off Menai Bridge, and we decided to go for that location as it was so special.
“You feel like Robinson Crusoe when you’re on the island – the tide comes in so you’re cut off for four hours a day. Everything had to be scheduled with absolute precision, otherwise you could find yourself stuck for up to four hours.
“We had the number of a local boat pilots on call in case anything happened. But the challenges are so worth it, because it’s such a stunning location.”