Keeping Faith (TV series)

Set in the fictional town of Abercorran, filming started in the summer of 2017 in Carmarthenshire, with exterior views of Faith's home situated high up overlooking the estuary and the castle of Laugharne. Many scenes were shot in Laugharne, also in Carmarthen; the main square and the historic courtroom in Carmarthen Guildhall was used for scenes. Other courtroom scenes feature the former courthouse at Swansea. Studio scenes were filmed at Sony UK Technology Centre's Ffilm Factory 35 in Pencoed. The Vale of Glamorgan, Pontardawe and Swansea were other filming locations.[15][16]

Vox pictures produced the drama with the aid of Nevision, Cinematic Productions, Soundworks and About Premium Content. The production of the programme was funded through the Welsh Government's Media Investment Budget, which is advised by Pinewood Pictures, S4C and BBC Wales. Location assistance was provided by Wales Screen, part of the Welsh Government's creative industries team, helping to maximise the economic benefits for Wales.[17]

Gwawr Martha Lloyd, S4C Drama Content Commissioner, said of the series; "We're very excited about this new and original series that will be premiering on S4C this autumn. With a stellar cast and a completely compelling story, plot and setting, we're hoping the audience will grow to love the world and the characters of Un Bore Mercher as much as we in S4C have as we worked to develop the series. The series intends to take the viewer on a thrilling, emotional and warm journey, which will pull at their heart-strings but will also make them smile along the way."[18]

The series has generally received favourable responses and was described in The Guardian[19] as, "a bit like Big Little Lies relocated to rural Wales". As Un Bore Mercher, the Welsh version of the series gained strong reviews.[20] Gary Raymond, in Wales Arts Review, wrote: "...particularly interesting to see a genuine diamond emerge from the coalface in the form of Keeping Faith" and "Social media opinion has been a little more approving" [than the limited publicity surrounding the series].[21]

Lydia Morris at the UK Daily Post wrote that the programme "...has already proved a hit with TV audiences".[22] A review (under 'Show and Tell' by Paul Flynn) in Grazia magazine was titled "Like Broadchurch when it was good, Welsh production Keeping Faith is a TV trailblazer" and was generous with its praise.[23] Writing in The Times, Nicole Wynne described it as "...the dual-language drama that has got box-set Britain gripped".[2] On 2 May 2018, Stuart Heritage of the i warned, "Watch this game-changing thriller while you still can".[24] Jon Coates in the Daily Express wrote, "Keeping Faith's unprecedented success ... has led to a primetime run on BBC One starting on Thursday ... with a second series due to begin filming this autumn."[25] The Guardian review in July 2018, "... already a huge iPlayer hit, this Carmarthen-set drama about a vanished husband is realistic and beautifully shot ... it looks real and brilliant and Welsh".[26] 'crimefictionlover' wrote: "The BBC has a secret... it's worth seeking out".[27]

The first series won three Welsh BAFTAs in 2018: Best Actress (Eve Myles), Best Writer (Matthew Hall) and Original Music (Amy Wadge and Laurence Love Greed).[7]

Six original songs were composed by the singer-songwriter Amy Wadge. The English and Welsh soundtracks were released as EPs on iTunes on Friday 9 March 2018. The English versions are sung by Amy Wadge[28] and the Welsh versions by Ela Hughes.[29] The score music was written by Laurence Love Greed.[30][31]

A French remake of the series starring Cécile Bois, called Gloria, was released in February 2022.[32]

• List of Welsh television series

• Keeping Faith at IMDb