County used as backdrop for new television drama
A NEW television drama is using Carmarthenshire as its backdrop.
Carmarthenshire Council has been working with location scouts and a production team to support the filming.
Y Golau/the Light In The Hall, produced by Triongl Cyf and Duchess Street Productions, is being filmed in Welsh and English and is set to air on S4C and Channel 4 in the UK, and Sundance Now in the US.
Cast and crew have been working in and around Llandovery, Carmarthen, Llangadog and Llandeilo over the past few weeks.
Actors including Joanna Scanlan, currently starring as Ma Larkin in the hit ITV family drama The Larkins, and Iwan Rheon of Game of Thrones, are among those featuring in the thriller.
The council has been working to ensure the local area benefits financially from the production with location fees, accommodation and associated spending on food and retail in the Llandovery, Carmarthen, and surrounding areas set to bring a substantial boost to the local economy.
Council officers have also ensured minimal disruption to communities for the duration of the filming, with traffic management and access to local businesses unaffected.
This is the latest major production to be located in Carmarthenshire, on the back of the hugely successful Keeping Faith drama based in Laugharne, and Save The Cinema, a Sky Original film telling the tale of the day Jurassic Park premiered in Carmarthen in 1993 - due to be released next month in cinemas and on Sky Cinema.
Although Llandovery and Carmarthen will see the most activity, other locations across the county are also hosting film crews for a range of other productions at the moment.
Cllr Emlyn Dole, Carmarthenshire Council leader and cabinet member for Regeneration, said: “Yet again Carmarthenshire has been chosen as the location for a major production, which proves that what we have got to offer is enough to attract the best companies in the world.
“Our officers have been supporting the crew to scout locations, contact local landowners and liaise with partners - all part of our efforts to support the growth of the local economy.
“When we are able to attract productions of this scale, we are able to bring new money into the area. A cast and crew of around 60 people are staying and spending locally, and that means money in the tills of local businesses and in the pockets of local people.”
Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, cabinet member for culture, sport and tourism, added: “We are very fortunate to have such a range of locations suitable for filming in Carmarthenshire, from large beaches that stretch for miles, to rural and urban landscapes, rolling countryside and historic buildings.
“We have worked hard to grow our reputation as a location for filming and that is paying off with more enquiries being made to us all the time.
“It will be fantastic see Carmarthenshire featured the screen once again.”
Carmarthenshire Council supports film and drama productions of all scales and sizes, with the emphasis always on the benefit to the local community and local economy.