05 September 2008
Con Passionate, the award-winning drama about the turbulent love lives of a Welsh male voice choir, and Yr Afon, a landmark documentary series on the great rivers of the world, head a powerful line-up of top entertainment on S4C this autumn.
Opera singer Shân Cothi and Gavin and Stacey actor Steffan Rhodri are among the stars of the Rose d'Or-winning Con Passionate, written by Siwan Jones, which returns for its much anticipated third and final series on 26 October.
Singer Cerys Matthews visits the Mississippi in the first of the six-part series, Yr Afon. In later programmes the presenter Aled Samuel follows the Nile, poet Mererid Hopwood trails the Rhine and the well-travelled author and presenter Bethan Gwanas discovers the wonders of the Yangtze. Naturalist Iolo Williams visits the Amazon and presenter Ifor ap Glyn samples daily life on the Ganges.
Other highlights include brand new Valleys drama 2 Dŷ a Ni, a 13-part series about the ever-expanding Puw family, who count several foster children among their brood. The series stars Shelley Rees, who played Stacey Jones in Pobol y Cwm, and Dyfrig Morris.
Two new tv films, Omlet, a romantic comedy adapted from the novel by the same name by Nia Medi, and thriller, Y Rhwyd, by Caryl Lewis, complement S4C’s diverse drama output. Popular teen drama Rownd a Rownd also returns for a new series, while ista'n bwl, a brand new light drama set in a village pub, stars Llion Williams (C’mon Midffîld) Sue Roderick (Pobol y Cwm) and singer Bryn Fôn.
S4C’s year of themed ‘green’ programming continues with new series Cwm Glo Cwm Gwyrdd, which sees how four youngsters and their families from the Rhondda and Cynon Valleys attempt to change their ways and lead a greener life.
Dudley Newbery travels to Ronda, Spain to host Casa Dudley, the cookery school where amateur chefs from across Wales battle against each other to produce the perfect dish with the very best Spanish ingredients.
In children’s programming, brand new series include adventure game show Herio’r Ddraig. Each week, two teams of youngsters undertake a series of mental and physical challenges based on Arthurian myths and filmed at ancient monuments around Wales.
S4C’s extended service for nursery children, Cyw, continues during the autumn with a variety of brand new series, including ABC, Sam Tân, Bob y Bildar, Y Dywysoges Fach, Y Teulu Mawr and Oli Dan y Don.
There’s also a full line-up of rugby, football, golf and extreme sports, with plenty of coverage in Sgorio, Sgorio Cymru, Y Clwb Rygbi, Cwpan Heineken, Y Clwb Rygbi Rhyngwladol, Golffio and Chwa!
English commentary will be available during live rugby and football matches and on football highlights shows via the red button service on S4C digidol on Sky.
Rhian Gibson, S4C’s Director of Commissioning, said: “This rich and varied autumn package reflects S4C’s commitment to providing audiences with top quality programming – from compelling drama and entertainment to the best in sport, factual and children’s output.”
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