Caerdydd (TV series)
Caerdydd is a Welsh language television programme set in Cardiff made by Fiction Factory[1] for Welsh public service television station S4C. The series is "a stylish, new drama about modern, urban Welsh-speakers living in a bilingual city"[2] following "a group of modern urban twenty- and thirtysomethings"[2] with "their complex friendships and relationships [set] against a backdrop of relentless socialising".[2] First commissioned by S4C's drama editor Angharad Jones in 2005,[3] as part of a drive by S4C to reach a younger audience,[4][5] the third series of Caerdydd started its run on S4C on 30 March 2008. A fourth series was commissioned[6] and went into production in Spring 2008.[7] It started broadcasting on 14 June 2009.[8]
Caerdydd | |
---|---|
Created by | Fiction Factory |
Country of origin | Wales |
Original language | Welsh |
No. of seasons | 5 |
Production | |
Producers | Fizzy Oppè, Catrin Rees, Ed Thomas |
Running time | 47 minutes (III) |
Release | |
Original network | S4C |
Original release | 2006 – 2010 |
Awards and nominations
Caerdydd (2nd series) has received three nominations for the 2008 Bafta Cymru awards: Best Screenwriter for Ed Talfan, Best Design for Hayden Pearce and Best Director of Photography (Drama) for Richard Wyn.[9][10] The second series was also nominated at the Celtic Media Festival 2008 for best drama series.[11]
The third series has been nominated for Best Drama Series at the 2009 Bafta Cymru awards; Roger Wiliams as Best Screenwriter, and Ryland Teifi as Best Actor.[12]
Criticism
Criticism of the series focuses mainly on three topics:
"Sex In The Assembly" controversy
A row started after the broadcast of episode three in series III as it emerged that a sex scene was actually filmed on location in a toilet room of the Senedd, the Welsh National Assembly building, and not in a television studio.[13][14][15] Officials of the National Assembly for Wales Commission who approved the filming for the Neuadd area, the corridors of the building and for one scene in the baby-changing room, were not made aware of the nature of the scene.[13][16] The scene itself, filmed on 14 March 2008,[13] involves Lea Kennedy (played by Alys Thomas) who is working for an unnamed party group and her much older boyfriend Stephen James (Dewi Rhys Williams) having sexual intercourse.[17] As a result, S4C announced that it was investigating the matter and had contacted producers.[13][18] One AM, William Graham (Conservative) called for scripts to be vetted more closely in the future.[13][19]
S4C's investigation came to this conclusion: S4C has looked into the circumstances surrounding the filming of drama series Caerdydd at the Senedd and is satisfied that the production company followed the correct procedures. We are confident that Senedd personnel who dealt with this issue were not misled.[19]
The National Assembly's investigation came to this conclusion: The National Assembly has carried out a full internal review of the circumstances of the filming of Caerdydd. We can confirm that at no stage of the negotiations about the use of the building for filming, or during the filming itself, was the content of the scene disclosed by the programme makers. Despite this setback, the Assembly is committed to being open and accessible to all, including programme makers, and we sincerely hope that this does not prevent us from working with responsible companies in future.[19]
Characters and cast
- Peter Marshall (Ryland Teifi)
- Emyr Tomos (Lee Haven-Jones)
- Osian James (Gareth Pierce)
- Lea Kennedy (Alys Thomas)
- Stephen James (Dewi Rhys Williams)
- Elen Aaron (Rhian Green)
- Mike Powell (Julian Lewis Jones)
- Kate Marshall Ford (Mali Harries)
- Robert Lewis (Bradley Freegard)
- Non Ellis Jones (Sue Roderick)[20] III/2-8,10
- Natasha Jenkins (Ffion Williams) III/2-10, IV, V
- Jamie Roberts (Gareth Milton) IV-V (Dyfan Dwyfor) III/4-10
- Danny Ford (Huw Rhys) I, II
- Gareth Pritchard (Matthew Gravelle)
- Ceri Price (Siwan Morris) I, II, III/5-7,9,10
- Paul (Richard Shackley)
- Siân Edwards (Iola Hughes)
- Lleucu (Tara Bethan) II, III/1-3
- Damian Charles (Daniel Hope) I, II, III/1-3
- Mike Thomas (Jâms Thomas) III/2,3,6-9
- Yr Arglwydd (Lord) Delme Richards (Ian Saynor) III/2-4,7,9,10
- Ben (Jonathan Floyd) III/2-5
- Mared (Rhian Jones) III/3,4,6,7,9
- Rhys Johnstone (Rhodri Meilir) I, II
- Philip (Glyn Morgan) III/4,8,9
- Jane (Sharon Roberts) III/8,9
- Kylie Byrne (Jennie Lucey) III/6,10
- Rhodri (Cellan Wyn Evans) III/9,10
- Sara Harris [Lauren Phillips] IV-V
Further cast: Catherine Ayers (Nia, I), Nathan Sussex, Sousila Pilay (II), Lillie Downie (Baby Ela Ford, III/4,6-10), Amelia Wyatt (Baby Ela Ford, III/3,4), Nick Ross (Gwilym, III/3), Lisa Zamira (III/3), Lee Bane (III/3), John Schumacher (III/3), Tomos James (III/3), Tyron Lopez (III/4), Gemma Prosser (III/4), Hazel Condon (III/4), Bethan Cecil (III/7), Charlote Grey (III/8), Poonah Najimohammadi (III/9), Rob Kendrick (actor) (III/9), Martin Glyn Murray (III/9), Elen Florence (I), Charmaine Hibberd (III/10), Kathryn Dimery (III/10), Megan Browne (Ela Ford), Ross O'Hennessy John Davies The Immigration Officer
Production
- The series is produced for S4C by Fiction Factory, a division of Tinopolis.[1]
- Directors: Ed Thomas (I, II, III/1-5), Dave "D.J." Evans (II, III/6-10), Ed Talfan (I, II)[1]
- Writers: Tim Price,[21][22] Ian Staples (var. II, III/2,9), Anwen Huws (III/3,7), Roger Williams (III/4,6,8,10), Catrin Clarke (III/5,6)
- Producers: Fizzy Oppè, Catrin Rees, Ed Thomas (III)
- Line producer: Maurice Hunter (III)
- Series 1 was filmed in the main from January to April 2005. Directors: Ed Thomas, Ed Talfan
- Series 2 was filmed in the main from February to July 2006. Directors: Ed Thomas, Ed Talfan, Dave Evans.
- Series 3 was filmed in the main from January to June 2007. Directors: Ed Thomas, Dave Evans
- Series 2 and 3 were produced in HD format.[23]
- Series 4 has been commissioned[6] and is currently in production.[7]
- Episodes are available (with on-screen English subtitles) on S4C's website for streaming for 35 days after initial broadcast. The first series went online each Saturday following the initial TV broadcast, without any restrictions to availability.[24]
- All episodes are fully subtitled, in Welsh and English. The Welsh subtitles are available for download.[25]
- All episodes in series 3 feature audio description.[26][27]
Broadcasts
Series 1
Episode | First | Repeated | Viewers[29] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 11 January 2006 | 13 January 2006 | |
2 | 18 January 2006 | 20 January 2006 | |
3 | 25 January 2006 | 27 January 2006 | |
4 | 3 February 2006 | 5 February 2006 | |
5 | 10 February 2006 | 12 February 2006 | |
6 | 17 February 2006 | 19 February 2006 | |
7 | 24 February 2006 | 26 February 2006 |
Series 2
Episode | First | Repeated | Viewers[29] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 January 2007 | 12 January 2007 | 70,000[30] |
2 | 17 January 2007 | 19 January 2007 | 45,000[31] |
3 | 24 January 2007 | 26 January 2007 | 40,000[32] |
4 | 31 January 2007 | 2 February 2007 | <30,000[33] |
5 | 7 February 2007 | 9 February 2007 | <33,000[34] |
6 | 14 February 2007 | 16 February 2007, 18 February 2007 | 43,000[35] |
7 | 21 February 2007 | 23 February 2007, 25 February 2007 | <35,000[36] |
8 | 28 February 2007 | 2 March 2007, 4 March 2007 | 43,000[37] |
9 | 7 March 2007 | 9 March 2007, 11 March 2007 | <40,000[38] |
10 | 14 March 2007 | 16 March 2007 | <36,000[39] |
The second series was repeated in February and March 2008.
Series 3
Episode | First | Repeated | Viewers[29] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 30 March 2008 | 3 April 2008 | 44,000[40] |
2 | 6 April 2008 | 10 April 2008 | 61,000[41] |
3 | 13 April 2008 | 17 April 2008 | 45,000[42] |
4 | 20 April 2008 | 24 April 2008 | 46,000[43] |
5 | 27 April 2008 | 1 May 2008 | 46,000[44] |
6 | 4 May 2008 | 8 May 2008 | 40,000[45] |
7 | 11 May 2008 | 15 May 2008 | 43,000[46] |
8 | 18 May 2008 | 22 May 2008 | 49,000[47] |
9 | 25 May 2008 | 29 May 2008 | 59,000[48] |
10 | 1 June 2008 | 5 June 2008 | 49,000[49] |
Series 4
Episode | First | Repeated | Viewers[29] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 14 June 2009 | <32,000[50] | |
2 | 21 June 2009 | 32,000[51] | |
3 | 28 June 2009 | 38,000[52] | |
4 | 5 July 2009 | <30,000[53] | |
5 | 12 July 2009 | <35,000[54] | |
6 | 19 July 2009 | <38,000[55] | |
7 | 26 July 2009 | <38,000[56] | |
8 | 2 August 2009 | 38,000[57] | |
9 | 9 August 2009 | 36,000[58] | |
10 | 16 August 2009 | <36,000[59] |
See also
References
- "Tinopolis Archive". Archived from the original on 18 April 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
- David Williamson (22 April 2008). "Row over love scene filmed at Senedd". Western Mail. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
- Nathan Bevan (22 April 2008). "Glossy drama follows hectic social lives of young professionals". Western Mail. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
- Anwen Mair Roberts (16 April 2008). "S4C Review of Statement of Programme Policy 2007" (PDF). S4C. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
- Paul Rowland (4 January 2006). "Storm over S4C's controversial new show". Western Mail. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
- Anwen Meir Roberts (17 March 2008). "S4C Statement of Programme Policy 2008" (PDF). S4C. p. 4. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
- "Tinopolis Annual Report and Accounts 2007" (PDF). Tinopolis. 20 February 2008. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
- "Caerdyyd Homepage". S4C. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- "S4C press release on Bafta Cymru 2008". Retrieved 9 April 2008.
- "Bafta Cymru 2008 Nominees". Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
- "Celtic Media Festival 2008". Archived from the original on 23 May 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
- "Bafta Cymru 2009 Nominations" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
- "Row over TV sex scene at assembly". BBC News. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
- Simon Reynolds (23 April 2008). "Welsh drama blasted for toilet sex scene". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
- Polly Corrigan (22 April 2008). "Welsh outrage over Assembly sex scene". Telegraph. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
- Philippe Naughton (22 April 2008). "Welsh fury at 'Sex and the Senedd' shoot". London: Times Online. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
- Tom Bodden (22 April 2008). "Sex in the Senedd". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
- Steven Morris (23 April 2008). "Assembly bitter at TV toilet romp". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
- David Williamson (24 April 2008). "S4C hits back over Senedd sex scene production". Western Mail. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
- Jill Tunstall (19 April 2008). "Friends lend Sue a hand". Liverpoll Daily Post. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
- "Tim Price at David Higham". Archived from the original on 28 April 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
- Claire Hill (13 July 2007). "Mr. Writer". Western Mail. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
- "Tinopolis Archive". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
- "S4C: Worldwide audience for Caerdydd". 6 February 2006. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
- "Download Welsh Subtitles". S4C. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
- Eryl Crump (12 February 2008). "Campaign to push audio description on TV". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
- "S4C launches Audio Description awareness campaign". S4C. 12 February 2008. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
- "Ist series website". Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
- Consolidated BARB audience figures
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 14/01/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 21/01/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 28/01/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 4/02/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 11/02/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 18/02/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 25/02/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 4/03/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 11/03/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 18/03/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 30/03/2008". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 6/04/2008". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 13/04/2008". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 20/04/2008". Retrieved 19 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 27/04/2008". Retrieved 23 May 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 4/05/2008". Retrieved 2 June 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 11/05/2008". Retrieved 13 June 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 18/05/2008". Retrieved 13 June 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 25/05/2008". Retrieved 21 June 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 1/06/2008". Retrieved 28 June 2008.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 21/06/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 28/06/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 5/07/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 12/07/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 19/07/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 26/07/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 2/08/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 9/08/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 16/08/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 23/08/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
External links
- [ Official Website (English)]
- Official Website (1st series)
- Caerdydd on IMDB
- Ruth McElroy: The Local, the Global and the Bi-Cultural: Welsh-Language Television Drama In: Critical Studies in Television, Vol. 2, ed. 2, pp. 77–95 (Autumn 2007). ISSN 1749-6020.