04 October 2012

  Today S4C has announced an agreement to produce a new detective series that will be shown in both Welsh and English.

Mathias, a brand new series from Cardiff based company Fiction Factory, will start shooting this autumn. Starring Richard Harrington in the lead role of DCI Tom Mathias it will be directed by Marc Evans and produced by Gethin Scourfield and Ed Talfan.

The project is a co-production between S4C, Tinopolis, the S4C Co-Production Fund and ALL3MEDIA International, and will be shown on S4C in 2013. It is the first back-to-back drama series to be made in both languages for S4C and BBC Cymru Wales. The English language version, Hinterland, will be screened on BBC Cymru Wales in 2014 and distributed internationally by ALL3MEDIA International.

Central to the story is the hero, DCI Tom Mathias, is an intuitive and passionate detective, compelled to find justice and succeeds despite his unorthodox methods.

Gwawr Lloyd, S4C Programme Commissioner, says, "Mathias is a thrilling, inventive and chilling series which will provide viewers with a 'must watch' experience.

"There is a huge following for contemporary detective dramas and I'm confident that Mathias will appeal to S4C viewers and to new audiences.

"This is a substantial project for S4C and we will work closely with a number of partners in producing Mathias."

Executive producer and co-creator, Ed Thomas, says, "As a company we are committed to making drama that reflects a modern and dynamic Wales. With Mathias – and the proven popularity of the genre – we have the opportunity to showcase Welsh talent on both the local and international stage."

The filming takes place in Ceredigion, with the town of Aberystwyth and other local landmarks playing a key role in the drama.

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