Wales plays politics with new drama Byw Celwydd
A new political drama dares to go where James Bond couldn’t – the corridors of power at the Welsh Assembly. Michael Pickard reports. When film fans flock to cinemas to see the latest James Bond release later this year, one prominent location will be missing from the action. Spectre’s producers had hoped to stage some scenes inside the Welsh Assembly Government’s main debating chamber, known as the Siambr, but their initial enquiries were knocked back. Since then, however, the producers of a new political drama have taken advantage of an offer to film in public areas of the assembly, the Senedd, which will be the setting for a series that imagines what life would be like in Wales under a ruling rainbow coalition of parties. Byw Celwydd (cast members pictured above), which translates as Living a Lie, sees the country run by parties called The Democrats, The Nationalists and New Conservatives, with the Socialists in opposition, creating a bitter rivalry where tensions are never far from boiling point. In particular, it follows journalist Angharad Wynne, played by Cath Ayers, as she tries to uncover political scandals and secrets within the Welsh Senedd. The cast also includes Richard Elfyn (Stella) as the prime minister, Broadchurch alumnus Matthew Gravell, Sara Lloyd Gregory and Mark Lewis Jones. Producer Branwen Cennard, who collaborated with writer Meic Povey on the series, says: “S4C were incredibly keen to do a political drama. The assembly is very well established so there was a feeling we should do … Continue reading Wales plays politics with new drama Byw Celwydd
