Filming has started on S4C drama Cleddau/The One That Got Away; a new, six-part, drama series that combines a gripping murder mystery with an electrifying love story.
The series from BlackLight Television (a Banijay UK company) in collaboration with Banijay Rights, is being filmed in Welsh for S4C for broadcast in late 2024, while an English language version will also be produced for international audiences. Both will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights, the distribution arm of media and content powerhouse Banijay.
Set in the west Wales coastal town of Pembroke Dock, Cleddau/The One That Got Away brings together a top-class team of Welsh crime drama talent.
The series is written by Catherine Tregenna (The Bench, Law & Order UK, Lewis and DCI Banks) and stars Elen Rhys (The Mallorca Files, Craith/Hidden), Richard Harrington (Y Gwyll/Hinterland) and Rhian Blythe (Y Golau/The Light in the Hall, Craith/Hidden).
All six episodes are directed by Carmarthenshire-born Sion Ifan (Y Gyfrinach/The Secret).
The shocking murder of a nurse opens old wounds in a small-town community, throwing a historic conviction into doubt, raising the horrifying prospect of a copycat killer and reuniting two former lovers tasked with finding the killer.
With twists and turns leading to a heart-stopping finale, Cleddau/The One That Got Away is a forensic examination of a town, a killer and a relationship, past and present.
Catherine Treganna said: “I’m so excited to create and write my own series and share it with S4C audiences as that’s where my television career began. It’s a privilege to write in the voice and accents that are part of my childhood and bring to bear what I’ve learnt in over 25 years of writing crime thrillers.”
S4C Drama Commissioner Gwenllian Gravelle said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Banijay and Blacklight TV on such a suspenseful series. We can’t wait for our viewers to watch this tense, gripping crime thriller which never once loses momentum. With a stellar Welsh cast and a fabulous location, it’s going to be a real treat.”
Phil Trethowan and Ben Bickerton, Executive Producers at BlackLight Television, said: “We are thrilled to be making The One That Got Away/Cleddau with S4C, Banijay Rights and Creative Wales. It is a gripping thriller that will keep the audience guessing until the end, delivered by the very best Welsh writing, directing and acting talent.”
Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, said: “Set against the backdrop of the beautiful West Wales coast, Catherine Tregenna’s superbly crafted crime story is a fantastic addition to the Banijay Rights catalogue – marking our foray into the burgeoning Welsh noir genre. We are excited to partner with BlackLight and S4C on the dual language versions of Cleddau and take this gripping drama to audiences worldwide.”
Catherine Tregenna is a Welsh playwright and screenwriter who created the critically acclaimed courtroom drama The Bench for BBC Wales and wrote several episodes of their flagship series Belonging. As well as contributing to long-running drama series such as Eastenders and Casualty, she was one of the original writers on Law & Order UK and has written for primetime detective dramas, Lewis and DCI Banks. She has also written episodes of Stan Lee’s Lucky Man and Rivierafor Sky Atlantic and has penned four episodes of the highly popular sci-fi drama Torchwood, one of which, Captain Jack Harkness, was nominated for a Hugo award. She went on to write an episode of Doctor Who, The Woman Who Lived. Catherine has written an episode for the new highly anticipated Terry Pratchett drama, The Watch for BBC America. More recently, she has written two episodes of Three Pines, a murder mystery series starring Alfred Molina with Left Bank for Amazon Prime and will be contributing a further two this year.
BlackLight was formed in 2017 by Ben Bickerton and Phil Trethowan. Ben and Phil met when making the critically acclaimed film Ellen together and are backed by the Banijay Media Group, the world’s largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Ben and Phil both have over 20 years of experience making award-winning popular television drama and film such as Being Human and The Curse of Steptoe. More recently BlackLight have made four series of the award-winning anthology, On The Edge for Channel 4, which has been nominated for 11 BAFTA’s, winning one BAFTA Cymru as well as a host of other awards.
Leading global distributor, Banijay Rights, represents a world-class, multi-genre portfolio of 180,000 hours of standout programming. Handling the distribution for media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, the division specialises in the exploitation of premium scripted and non-scripted brands to broadcasters worldwide.
Representing quality, excellence and experience in the business of linear and non-linear television and ancillary activity across all platforms, Banijay Rights’ catalogue encompasses a host of top titles from Banijay’s 130+ in-house labels, and a number of third-party producers, spanning drama, comedy, entertainment, factual, reality, family, formats and theatrical.
Delivering high-quality IP, which was born locally and travels globally, the distributor offers the best stories told the best way. Its landmark brands include Survivor, Big Brother, MasterChef, Peaky Blinders, Rogue Heroes, Marie Antoinette, Temptation Island, Grantchester, Deal or No Deal, Biggest Loser, Home and Away, Love Triangle, Mr Bean and Black Mirror.
Pippa Considine
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