Alys (TV series)

Lore & Background

The series follows Alys, portrayed by Sara Lloyd-Gregory, as she moves to a small town in West Wales with her 10-year-old son Daniel after fleeing Cardiff. To support her son's dream of becoming an astronaut, she turns to stealing and prostitution. The story explores the clash between working-class and middle-class locals, with Alys facing hostility but also forming friendships. Her dark secrets gradually surface over the course of the series.

The idea for Alys came to Siwan Jones while shopping in a small West Wales town, where she observed people carrying furniture and children following, triggering the concept of two contrasting worlds. The role of Alys was written specifically for Sara Lloyd-Gregory, who had previously collaborated with Jones on Con Passionate. Supporting cast includes William Thomas, Aneirin Hughes, Gillian Elisa, Shelley Rees, and Kate Jarman.

Filming took place primarily in Carmarthenshire and West Wales. The first series began production in summer 2010, and the second series in March 2012. The series was nominated for Best Drama Series at the Celtic Media Festival in 2012 and 2014, and received eight BAFTA Cymru nominations in 2013, winning three, though Best Actress was not among the wins; Sara Lloyd-Gregory was nominated but did not win.

Reader's Guide

Alys stands as a notable entry in Welsh-language television, achieving both critical recognition and strong audience engagement for S4C. Its creator, Siwan Jones, brought her BAFTA-winning pedigree to the series, which tackled themes of poverty, motherhood, and social judgment through a gritty, character-driven narrative. The show's success in attracting high viewing figures and multiple award nominations—including three BAFTA Cymru wins—underscores its impact within the Welsh broadcasting landscape. The series also provided a breakthrough leading role for Sara Lloyd-Gregory, whose performance earned her the BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Actress. By depicting a protagonist engaged in criminal activity to survive, Alys offered a nuanced portrayal of class and desperation, distinguishing it from more conventional drama series. Its legacy includes demonstrating the viability of Welsh-language drama to address complex social issues while maintaining broad appeal.

Did You Know?

• The role of Alys was written specifically for actress Sara Lloyd-Gregory, though she did not initially know this and still had to audition.
• The idea for the series came to Siwan Jones while she was shopping in a small West Wales town, watching people carry furniture with children following.

Note

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