FILMING IN WALES HAD AN IM-PACT ON CAST
THE Pact is a brand new BBC thriller created and filmed in Wales with a star-studded lineup. Written by Pete McTighe, the femaleled crime thriller tells the story of five friends, a sudden death and a web of lies. The cast list includes Breaking Bad’s Laura Fraser and former Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh.
A strong line-up of Welsh actors have also joined the cast, inducing Eiry Thomas (Keeping Faith), Heledd Gwynn (Ordinary Lies), Abbie Hern (The Twilight Zone) and Aneurin Barnard (Dunkirk).
Pete, who lives in Wales, said he wanted to write a “world-class drama” that takes advantage of the country’s “epic locations and incredible talent both on-screen and behind the camera”.
And now, ahead of the show airing on Monday, May 17, the actors have spoken about what it was like to film in Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff where the show’s production company Little Door is based.
Scottish star Laura, who plays lead character Anna in the series, said the locations were “beautiful” and she “absolutely loved” Wales.
“We got to see some of the Welsh scenery in places around Merthyr Tydfil,” she explained. Adding: “We filmed in two different woods, which were stunning and then most of the other locations were in the studio.
“We did get to see the countryside but unfortunately not as much as I wanted to. It’s absolutely beautiful and to me, parts of it look very much like Scotland.”
Julie, who plays Nancy in The Pact, also spoke about filming in Wales and discussed how the dramatic Welsh landscape played an important role in the story.
The Coronation Street star, who has also had roles in The Trouble With Maggie Cole and Broadchurch, said filming took place in Pontsticill, Rhymney Brewery and the “beautiful little town” of Usk.
“Our first location was Rhymney Brewery in the Valleys, right next to Big Pit and surrounded by mountains. It was the end of the summer then and absolutely boiling.
“It was a gorgeous drive to location every day from Cardiff. We also filmed around Usk which was a beautiful little town and at St Mary’s Church in Marshfield, which I loved.”
Julie also said she took full advantage of filming in Cardiff, using Sofia Gardens and Bute Park for her daily walks and runs when they were working there.
She added: “My favourite thing to do has been hiring a bike and cycling down to the Bay or up to Castell Coch along the Taff Trail through Llandaff Fields. It’s such a cycle-friendly city with unbelievable amounts of green space, that I could enjoy even in lockdown. I also managed to have a bit of an explore when we were filming around Merthyr Tydfil.”
The Pact is a six-part series that starts on Monday, May 17, 9pm, BBC One.