Welsh Drama Dal y Mellt Gains International Attention
The Welsh series Dal y Mellt, featuring Star Wars actor Mark Lewis Jones, is making waves across the globe. This unique drama tells the story of a group of Welsh misfits diving into a world of crime. It became the first Welsh-language drama available on Netflix, gaining a wider audience.
Now, the second series has already been picked up by networks in places like Australia and Spain. Producers are optimistic about its future, saying, “We know there’s impressive international interest before it even airs on S4C,” shares co-producer Llŷr Morus.
The first series debuted in 2022 on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer. It was inspired by a novel from Iwan ‘Iwcs’ Roberts and later rebranded on Netflix as Rough Cut. Selling it to Netflix was a significant milestone for the team. Morus notes that while the stories are in Welsh, they explore themes relatable to people everywhere.
Morus believes that this success can help nurture future Welsh storytellers. “There are so many voices and stories to be told,” he emphasizes. Recent figures show that the Welsh TV and film industry generated £460 million in 2023, highlighting its booming presence in the creative sector, according to Welsh government data.
For actress Siwan Morris, who stars in both series, it’s thrilling to have her work accessible to friends overseas. “I had friends in Ireland reaching out to say, ‘I just saw you in Dal y Mellt,’ which was fantastic,” she shares.
Film critic Gary Slaymaker notes that the global television market presents a golden chance for Welsh-language shows. “This moment is great for normalizing the Welsh language on an international level,” he says. With streaming services, there’s now a fair shot if you have an engaging story.
Huw Chiswell, the director, hopes to build on this momentum. He believes there’s something special about this project and is eager to expand the visibility of the Welsh language. Surprisingly, many people worldwide still know little about Welsh.
Fans can look forward to more from Dal y Mellt. The new series will be available in Welsh with subtitles on S4C, S4C Clic, and BBC iPlayer starting January 4, 2026.
