08 September 2015

 From current affairs to drama, the Rugby World Cup to entertainment, S4C's autumn schedule is full of unmissable, unique programmes that are sure to become talking points.

Launching the channel’s autumn programmes on Tuesday 8 September, S4C’s Director of Content and Transmission, Dafydd Rhys said;

"There are many reasons to be proud and confident of our content on S4C and this autumn will be particularly strong on the channel. The strength of our schedule and quality of our programmes reflect the importance of S4C’s role as a public service broadcaster providing a wide variety of content through the medium of Welsh.

"S4C's content includes a number of big sporting events which are especially important to us as a nation including Rugby World Cup 2015 and Wales' Euro 2016 football qualifying group matches. Drama is also a priority for us and one of our aims this year was to increase the number of hours of original drama being broadcast on the channel. We will have the opportunity to enjoy these drama series on our screens in the coming months. These include a second series of Lan a Lawr, Y Gwyll/Hinterland and 35 Diwrnod as well as two other brand new drama series over the next few months.

"In addition to these, we will also be celebrating the work of the late, great author T. Llew Jones with a thematic evening and the birthday of world-famous opera singer Bryn Terfel as he turns 50. It will be a season full of exciting programmes, thanks to the creative talents of those working in the independent production sector, the BBC and ITV as well as S4C’s hard-working staff."

Here are some of the highlights of the autumn season;

•The autumn will be full of drama on S4C, starting with the second series of Lan a Lawr returning to S4C on 9 September with more dramatic and heart-warming storylines. Viewers will be excited to hear that a second series of Y Gwyll/Hinterland will be on our screens from Sunday 13 September. The detective series, shot on location in Ceredigion, features Richard Harrington, Mali Harries, Aneirin Hughes, Hannah Daniel and Alex Harries in the main roles. It’s been nominated for five BAFTA Cymru 2015 awards and has been sold to broadcasters in 26 countries. In November, there will be a new series set in a fictional crown court in north Wales. In Dim ond y Gwir, we will follow those working in the court and learn more about their complicated personal lives. Following the success of drama series 35 Diwrnod, there will be another series in the same format from 8 November, and this time the suspense drama series is located in the heart of Cardiff city centre. Currently in production, and to be broadcast next year, is the political drama Byw Celwydd, with fictional politicians, their political aides and journalists as the main characters.

•The Rugby World Cup 2015 is about to kick off, and S4C’s Cwpan Rygbi’r Byd 2015 service will include nine live games, covering all of Wales’ matches in the tournament. And whatever happens to Wales in the competition, S4C will broadcast one quarter final match live, one semi-final, the bronze final and the World Cup Final itself. S4C has a strong team of pundits taking us through the tournament including Dwayne Peel, Stephen Jones, Shane Williams, Deiniol Jones and Dafydd Jones. S4C’s Cwpan Rygbi’r Byd 2015 coverage will begin on Friday 18 September with the opening ceremony and the opening match between England and Fiji in Twickenham. As well as the TV broadcasts, the nine live matches can be viewed on S4C’s on-line on-demand service, s4c.cymru. Highlights will also be available on the s4c.cymru rugby website, on iPlayer and on other platforms.

•As well as live matches, S4C will be travelling across the country throughout the competition with the mid-week programme Cwpan Rygbi'r Byd a Mwy. Broadcasting from different clubs each week, it will include highlights, analysis and we will hear from supporters and experts about the tournament. The series Jonathan also returns for the competition.

•Codi Canu will be back on our screens for the Rugby World Cup 2015 as supporters get the opportunity to join five choirs – the Blues, the Dragons, the Scarlets and the Ospreys as well as a choir representing north Wales' rugby clubs. Only Men Aloud's Tim Rhys-Evans will be the competition’s music director.

•The Welsh landscape attracts thousands of people each year to take part in a huge range of outdoor pursuits. Wales is known as one of the best places in the world for outdoor activities, and the demand for adventure leaders is greater than ever. Filmed in the glorious Snowdonia National Park and north west Wales, Ar y Dibyn follows six people who hope to realise their dream and win a job as an adventure leader. Setting the challenges are two people who know all about adventure challenges, presenter, adventurer and ultra marathon runner Lowri Morgan, and adventure leader Dilwyn Sanderson-Jones.

•As part of the Wales Millennium Centre’s 10th anniversary, S4C will broadcast live from Cardiff Bay in an anniversary live event that includes over 600 contributors. Nia Roberts will guide us through all the events and celebrations; which includes a wide range of exciting performers.

•There will be a new series with author and presenter Bethan Gwanas, and producer and singer Meinir Gwilym, discussing every aspect of the menopause – from the tongue-in- cheek to the serious. Bethan Gwanas: Y Menopôs a Fi looks at how society has dealt with menopause, and the many treatments that's been offered to women over the years.

•During October we'll feature programmes celebrating the life and work of author T. Llew Jones, on the centenary of his birth. Among the featured programmes will be a special portrayal of the writer presented by Beti George, looking at the man behind the public persona. There will also be a chance to enjoy the film adaptation of his novel Tân ar y Comin.

•Rhestr is a new quiz presented by DJ Huw Stephens, who has a passion for quizzes. There will also be a chance for contestants in the studio, and at home to win cash prizes.

•Bryn Terfel yn 50 will be an evening of celebration to mark the singer's 50th birthday, featuring interviews and musical performances in the company of the singer from Pantglas, Gwynedd.

•There are hundreds of gardens open to the public in Wales and in the new series Gerddi Cymru, Aled Samuel visits some of them. These include Aberglasney Gardens in Carmarthenshire, Bodnant Garden in the Conwy Valley, Powis Castle and Garden, Penllergaer and Erddig.

•Viewers can also look forward to the second series of Becws when Beca Lyne-Pirkis inspires us with more delicious recipes. Welsh farmers will be fighting for the title of 'The country’s best farmers’' in Fferm Ffactor 2015, and this time different teams, rather than individuals, will compete.

Keep an eye on the S4C website s4c.cymru or the social network sites, facebook.com/s4c.co.uk and @s4c for all the latest information about the season's programmes and series.

Ends