26 November 2021

Welsh public broadcaster S4C has commissioned a brand new 6 x 60' minute psychological thriller The Light In The Hall / Y Golau co-produced by independent producers Duchess Street Productions and Triongl in association with APC Studios, and with the support of Welsh Government through Creative Wales.

In deals brokered by APC Studios, which is also handling worldwide sales, the series is produced in association with Channel 4 and Sundance Now for the English-language version for broadcast in the UK and North America, Australia and New Zealand respectively.

Written and created by Regina Moriarty (Murdered By My Boyfriend) and directed by Andy Newbery (Keeping Faith) and Chris Forster (Hidden), The Light In The Hall / Y Golau will be filmed in both English and Welsh.

Starring Alexandra Roach (Killing Eve, Sanditon, No Offence), Iwan Rheon (Misfits, Game of Thrones) and Joanna Scanlan (After Love, No Offence), filming starts this autumn with broadcast planned for 2022.

Journalist Cat Donato (Roach), originally from the same town as Ela Roberts, has always been obsessed by her murder. For Cat, it was personal.

Ela had been part of her circle of friends but prior to her murder Ela had been ostracised over a silly teenage squabble, a fact that Cat has tried her best to forget.

Ela's mother, Sharon Roberts (Scanlan) has never stopped grieving the loss of her daughter.

Still disturbed by her memories of that last day, Sharon needs resolution. Joe Pritchard (Rheon), a quiet, unassuming gardener, was arrested for Ela's murder after her DNA was found at his caravan.

Joe confessed to killing Ela but wouldn't, or couldn't, say why or what he did with her body.

The news of Joe's parole hearing and the prospect of his release causes both women to confront the past and the part they played in Ela's final days.

For Cat it's a chance to write the true events surrounding the murder and for Sharon a chance to confront the man who killed her child.

With so many questions unanswered, Joe's return to the community could be a way to get to the bottom of the mystery once and for all. If Joe Pritchard did kill Ela, why did he do it, and where is the body?

Donna Wiffen and Jo Roderick from Duchess Street Productions, Gethin Scourfield, Nora Ostler and Alec Spiteri from Triongl and Laurent Boissel from APC Studios will executive produce, along with Gwenllian Gravelle from S4C.

In the UK, the series has been acquired by Nick Lee, Head of Acquisitions at Channel 4, Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama at Channel 4, and will be overseen by Commissioning Editor, Gwawr Lloyd.

S4C Drama Commissioner, Gwenllian Gravelle said: "This gripping drama certainly promises to be one to remember. With a stellar cast and a talented production team, we can't wait to introduce Y Golau to S4C viewers.

"This is our first ever co-production with Channel 4 and we look forward to working together along with Triongl Production Company and Duchess Street Productions on this sensational series."

Donna Wiffen, Managing Director at Duchess Street Productions says: "We are excited to be bringing Regina's exceptional writing talent to the screen in this, her first original TV series.

"Working with our fantastic Welsh partners at Triongl and with the unerring support of Gwenllian at S4C, we know The Light In The Hall / Y Golau will exceed our expectations in creating a complex and compelling thriller."

Nora Ostler, Executive Producer at Triongl adds: "We are delighted to be working with Regina, the exceptional cast and our talented partners at Duchess Street on this compelling thriller.

"Many thanks to Gwenllian, S4C and APC for their support during the development of the series and to C4, Sundance Now and Creative Wales for making it possible. We look forward to taking this powerful story from Wales to the world."

Laurent Boissel, Joint-CEOs and Co-Founder at APC, says: "We are incredibly excited to be working with the talented teams at Duchess Street and Triongl on this ambitious dual-language series. S4C's commitment to the show, coupled with the co-production support of C4 and Sundance Now, creates an impressive broadcast platform for the series.

"As a producer we are thrilled to be on board and as a distributor, we are looking forward to taking the show to further territories around the world."

Nick Lee, Head of Acquisitions, Channel 4, commented; "The Light is on! Regina's story of injustice and retribution is truly absorbing.

"It's a unique take on a murder-thriller where the clues, characters and story come thick and fast; by adding in such a talented cast it's a show we are proud to be a partner on."

Shannon Cooper, Vice President, Programming, Sundance Now, adds: "The sophistication, compelling twists and constant intrigue built into every moment of this story speaks to the brilliance of Regina's writing, and we are delighted to work alongside this sharp creative team and impressive cast as this moves from page to screen.

"We're thankful to our partners at DSP, Triongl, APC, S4C and Channel 4 for bringing us along this sure-to-be exciting journey."

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, said: "I'm delighted that we've been able to offer support through Creative Wales funding to this exciting production and partnership between Triongl, Duchess St, S4C and Channel 4 and APC.

"This production is providing invaluable paid trainee opportunities to future-proof our industry, stimulate investment into the local economy, and will showcase Welsh talent, language and culture across the UK and internationally."