Caerdydd
Created byFiction Factory
Country of originUnited Kingdom
(Wales)
Original languageWelsh
No. of seasons5
Production
ProducersFizzy Oppè, Catrin Rees, Ed Thomas
Running time47 minutes (III)
Original release
NetworkS4C
Release2006 (2006) –
2010 (2010)

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]

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

See also: Senedd on television

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

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

Broadcasts

Series 1

Broadcasts of Series 1 on S4C[28]
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

Broadcasts of Series 2 on S4C
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

Broadcasts of Series 3 on S4C
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

Broadcasts of Series 4 on S4C
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

  1. ^ a b c "Tinopolis Archive". Archived from the original on 18 April 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
  2. ^ a b c David Williamson (22 April 2008). "Row over love scene filmed at Senedd". Western Mail. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  3. ^ Nathan Bevan (22 April 2008). "Glossy drama follows hectic social lives of young professionals". Western Mail. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  4. ^ Anwen Mair Roberts (16 April 2008). "S4C Review of Statement of Programme Policy 2007" (PDF). S4C. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
  5. ^ a b c Paul Rowland (4 January 2006). "Storm over S4C's controversial new show". Western Mail. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  6. ^ a b Anwen Meir Roberts (17 March 2008). "S4C Statement of Programme Policy 2008" (PDF). S4C. p. 4. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
  7. ^ a b "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.
  8. ^ "Caerdyyd Homepage". S4C. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  9. ^ "S4C press release on Bafta Cymru 2008". Retrieved 9 April 2008.
  10. ^ "Bafta Cymru 2008 Nominees". Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  11. ^ "Celtic Media Festival 2008". Archived from the original on 23 May 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
  12. ^ "Bafta Cymru 2009 Nominations" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Row over TV sex scene at assembly". BBC News. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  14. ^ Simon Reynolds (23 April 2008). "Welsh drama blasted for toilet sex scene". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  15. ^ Polly Corrigan (22 April 2008). "Welsh outrage over Assembly sex scene". Telegraph. Retrieved 10 May 2008.[dead link]
  16. ^ Philippe Naughton (22 April 2008). "Welsh fury at 'Sex and the Senedd' shoot". London: Times Online. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  17. ^ Tom Bodden (22 April 2008). "Sex in the Senedd". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  18. ^ Steven Morris (23 April 2008). "Assembly bitter at TV toilet romp". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  19. ^ a b c David Williamson (24 April 2008). "S4C hits back over Senedd sex scene production". Western Mail. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  20. ^ Jill Tunstall (19 April 2008). "Friends lend Sue a hand". Liverpoll Daily Post. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
  21. ^ "Tim Price at David Higham". Archived from the original on 28 April 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
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  29. ^ a b c d Consolidated BARB audience figures
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  37. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 4/03/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  38. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 11/03/2007". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
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  40. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 30/03/2008". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  41. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 6/04/2008". Retrieved 9 May 2008.
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  43. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 20/04/2008". Retrieved 19 May 2008.
  44. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 27/04/2008". Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  45. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 4/05/2008". Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  46. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 11/05/2008". Retrieved 13 June 2008.
  47. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 18/05/2008". Retrieved 13 June 2008.
  48. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 25/05/2008". Retrieved 21 June 2008.
  49. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 1/06/2008". Retrieved 28 June 2008.
  50. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 21/06/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  51. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 28/06/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  52. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 5/07/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  53. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 12/07/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  54. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 19/07/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  55. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 26/07/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  56. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 2/08/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  57. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 9/08/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  58. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 16/08/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  59. ^ "S4C Viewing Figures: Top 20 Welsh Programmes: w/e 23/08/2009". s4c.co.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2012.

External links

List of S4C television series
Television in Wales
Media in Cardiff
Categories