11 September 2020

The S4C Clic drama, Merched Parchus (Respectable Girls), has been nominated for Best Drama in the Broadcast Digital Awards 2020.

The awards celebrate the very best digital content, creators and channels and recognise the most innovative, interactive and creative work of the year. The awards span programmes, websites, apps, games and are presented by Broadcast – the leading title for the broadcast industry in the UK.

Merched Parchus is a dark, witty and honest drama series which was produced by some of Wales's most exciting new talent – Hanna Jarman and Mari Beard who wrote the series and acted the roles of the two main characters Carys (Hanna) and Lowri (Mari).

The series, which was filmed in Cardiff by production company ieie productions, tells the story of Carys, who is doing her best to get over her broken heart and is determined to re-invent herself as a fully functioning adult.

But with Carys's inner voice revealing her true feelings, her dark obsession with American podcasts about graphic murders create bloody fantasies as she fights her fears, #lifegoals and her inability to take responsibility for her own happiness.

This innovative series was the first drama to appear on-line first in the form of a box set on S4C Clic – S4C's digital platform. The series was broadcast a week later on traditional television.

Amanda Rees, S4C's director of Content said: "We are so pleased that Merched Parchus has been nominated for Best Drama. Merched Parchus is a brave and compelling drama aimed at reaching an alternative and younger audience than regular viewers of the main channel.

"Releasing it as a box set first was an important test for us too – one that has shown how important it is to experiment with releasing and evaluating content on digital platforms, especially when trying to attract a younger audience. Hanna, Mari and production company ieie productions certainly deserve to be recognised for their innovative work."

Hanna and Mari have also reached the shortlist for Bafta Cymru's Breakthrough Award and Author Award for Merched Parchus.

Mari Beard said of the Broadcast nomination: "We are incredibly happy that we have been nominated. There is a bit of a feeling of imposter syndrome because we are on the same list as people we admire very much. I am so proud of what Hanna and I have achieved with Merched Parchus and it's a great feeling to know that other people like our work. It's a shame we won't get to go to the ceremony – I have always wanted to go to an awards ceremony!"

Hanna said: "It is so exciting that Merched Parchus has been nominated alongside some other really brilliant dramas in the category. It's lovely that creative people who work in the industry think that our work deserves to be recognised. It's nice to feel that - 'Oh! We did something really cool that people enjoyed!'"

The winners of the Digital Broadcast Awards will be announced in a virtual ceremony on October 14, 2020.

ENDS