Welsh TV and Film Industry Shines Bright at Bafta Cymru Awards
In a resounding testament to the flourishing state of television and film production in Wales, the annual Bafta Cymru awards are set to honor an unprecedented era of creative excellence. With nominations spanning from the globally acclaimed revival of Doctor Who to the groundbreaking Viagra origin story Men Up, the Welsh entertainment industry is basking in the glow of a veritable “golden age.”
Figures from Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy underscore the remarkable growth of the capital city’s audiovisual media sector. Between 2021 and 2023, business turnover surged by an astonishing 55% – the highest rate for any UK city outside the bustling metropolis of London. More than 15% of Cardiff’s enterprises now operate within the creative industries, cementing south Wales as a hub for television and film studios second only to the English capital.
It is definitely a golden age for Wales-based production in TV and film. If I was a young person now in school in Wales, with aspirations to work in television or film, I would be so enthused. I’d think, wow, I can be part of that without having to work out how to get away. That’s a massive change.
Angharad Mair, Chair of Bafta Cymru
Architect of the Golden Age: Julie Gardner
Among the luminaries being recognized for their pivotal role in this creative renaissance is Julie Gardner, co-founder of the trailblazing production company Bad Wolf. Gardner, who will receive the prestigious Siân Phillips Award for her outstanding contribution to television, has been a driving force behind such global hits as Doctor Who, A Discovery of Witches, and the forthcoming epic The Winter King.
Gardner reflects on the seismic shift in perceptions that has taken place over the past two decades. “There was suspicion and a lack of confidence that Wales could produce the sort of projects the country is creating now,” she recalls. “When I would be doing meetings with talent, I’d ask them how long they thought the journey from London to Cardiff was. Everyone thought Cardiff was five, six hours away. No one thought it was two hours. It felt like such a distant place. There were a lot of preconceptions.”
The turning point, Gardner asserts, came with the monumental decision to base the rebooted Doctor Who series in Wales in the early 2000s. “It was such a major moment in the evolution of the creative industries in Wales. In terms of network television, it was a lightning rod. And as Russell T Davies [the Doctor Who showrunner] always says, work begets work.”
Nurturing Homegrown Talent and the Welsh Language
The burgeoning success of the Welsh creative sector is not only attracting international attention but also nurturing homegrown talent. Actor Mark Lewis-Jones, known for his roles in global hits like The Crown and Baby Reindeer, will also be honored at the Bafta Cymru awards. Notably, Lewis-Jones has made significant contributions to Welsh-language productions such as Men Up (which boasts six Bafta Cymru nominations) and continues to work seamlessly across both English and Welsh-language projects.
The rise of Welsh-language content is a particularly exciting development, with shows like the dark comedy Pren ar y Bryn/Tree on a Hill (which has five nominations) being shot “back to back” in both Welsh and English. The thriller Dal y Mellt (Catch the Lightning) also made history as the first Welsh-language-only show to be acquired by streaming giant Netflix.
We are witnessing impressive growth in Wales, particularly within the Cardiff capital region’s media cluster. The potential for further growth is apparent. To build on existing successes and create new opportunities, it’s essential that innovation remains a top priority.
Sara Pepper, Deputy Director of Media Cymru
Looking to the Future: A Creative Supercluster
As the Welsh creative industries continue to thrive, ambitious plans are afoot to form a “supercluster” with neighboring Bristol, which boasts the second-highest growth rate in the sector at 41%. This collaborative approach aims to pool resources, talent, and infrastructure to create an unrivaled hub for television and film production.
The future looks undeniably bright for the Welsh creative economy, with a perfect storm of factors propelling it to new heights: the unwavering support of the Welsh government, the rise of prestigious production companies like Bad Wolf, the growing international recognition of Welsh talent both in front of and behind the camera, and the surge in Welsh-language content reaching global audiences.
As the Bafta Cymru awards prepare to celebrate this extraordinary moment in Welsh television and film history, one thing is certain: the world will be watching as Wales takes center stage, ready to captivate audiences with its unique blend of creativity, passion, and storytelling prowess. The golden age is just beginning, and the best is yet to come.
