Keeping Faith (TV series)

Keeping Faith (Welsh: Un Bore Mercher, translates to, "One Wednesday Morning") is a thriller television series set in Wales created by Matthew Hall and produced by Vox Pictures. Un Bore Mercher was first broadcast on S4C on 5 November 2017.[1] Pip Broughton directed six of the eight episodes; Andy Newbery the other two. The series stars Eve Myles as Faith Howells, a solicitor at a family-run law firm whose husband, Evan, disappears whilst she is on maternity leave following the birth of their third child. The first series co-stars Hannah Daniel, Matthew Gravelle, Bradley Freegard, Mark Lewis Jones, Mali Harries and Aneirin Hughes.

Keeping Faith
Also known asUn Bore Mercher
(One Wednesday Morning)
GenreThriller
Created byMatthew Hall
Directed byPip Broughton
Andy Newbery
Starring
Composer(s)Laurence Love Greed
Amy Wadge
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original language(s)Filmed concurrently
in both Welsh
and in English
No. of series2
No. of episodes14 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)Adrian Bate
Maggie Russell
Shane Murphy
Producer(s)Pip Broughton
Nora Ostler
Production location(s)Carmarthen
Laugharne
Carmarthenshire
Swansea
Vale of Glamorgan
CinematographySteve Lawes
Rory Taylor
Bjorn Bratberg
Running time60 minutes
Production company(s)Vox Pictures, Nevision, Cinematic Productions, Soundworks, About Premium Content
Release
Original networkS4C (Welsh Version)
BBC One Wales (English Version)
Picture format16:9 1080i
Audio formatStereo
Original release5 November 2017 (2017-11-05) –
present
External links
Website

The series was filmed concurrently in Welsh and in English. This programme is the second in a season of bilingual dramas set to premiere back-to-back on S4C.[1] The initial Welsh language broadcasts on S4C carried entirely English subtitles, while repeat airings carried encoded English subtitles. The series has been available on the BBC iPlayer as part of the BBC's ongoing relationship with S4C.[2]

Renamed Keeping Faith, the English version premiered on BBC Wales on 13 February 2018.[3][1] The show was extremely popular in Wales, with an average of 300,000 viewers per episode, making it the most popular show on BBC Wales for over 25 years. It also became the most downloaded non-network show on BBC iPlayer, with over 8.5 million downloads as at May 2018.[4]

On 15 June 2018, the BBC announced that Keeping Faith would be shown across the UK on BBC One, beginning on 10 July 2018.[5] The Head of Commissioning for BBC Wales, Nick Andrews, said that the series had been "a real gem from start to finish", and testament to the strength of drama coming out of Wales.[6][7]

Production of Keeping Faith second series began in September 2018 and broadcasting as Un Bore Mercher in Wales began on S4C on 12 May 2019 and nationally on BBC One on 23 July 2019.[8]

Critical reception

The series has generally received favourable responses and was described in The Guardian[9] as, "a bit like Big Little Lies relocated to rural Wales". As Un Bore Mercher, the Welsh version of the series gained strong reviews.[10] 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].[11]

Lydia Morris at the UK Daily Post wrote that the programme "...has already proved a hit with TV audiences".[12] A review (under 'Show and Tell' by Paul Flynn) in Grazia magazine was headed "Like Broadchurch when it was good, Welsh production Keeping Faith is a TV trailblazer" and was generous with its praise.[13] Writing in The Times, Nicole Wynne described it as "...the dual-language drama that has got box-set Britain gripped".[3] On 2 May 2018, Stuart Heritage of the i warned, "Watch this game-changing thriller while you still can".[14] 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."[15] 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".[16] 'crimefictionlover' wrote: "The BBC has a secret... it's worth seeking out".[17]

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]

Cast
  • Eve Myles as Faith Howells; solicitor, mother of three and Evan Howells' wife
  • Bradley Freegard as Evan Howells; Faith's husband and solicitor
  • Demi Letherby as Alys Howells; elder daughter of Faith and Evan
  • Lacey Jones as Megan Howells; younger daughter of Faith and Evan
  • Oscar & Harry Unsworth as Rhodri Howells; son of Faith and Evan
  • Aneirin Hughes as Tom Howells; Evan's father and solicitor
  • Hannah Daniel as Cerys Jones; solicitor at Howells
  • Betsan Llwyd (Un Bore Mercher) / Suzanne Packer (Keeping Faith) as Delyth Lloyd; Howells office administrator
  • Eiry Thomas as DI (Series 1) PC (Series 2) Susan Williams; local police
  • Steffan Rhodri as Judge Gwyn Daniels
  • Matthew Gravelle as Constable Terry Price; local policeman (Series 1)
  • Mali Harries as Bethan Price; Terry's wife and Evan's sister (Series 1)
  • Rhian Morgan as Marion Howells; Evan's mother
  • Mark Lewis Jones as Steve Baldini; client
  • Martha Bright as Angie Baldini; Steve's daughter
  • Alex Harries as Arthur Davies; client
  • Catherine Ayers as Lisa Connors; Faith's best friend
  • Angeline Ball (Series 1) / Anastasia Hille (Series 2) as Gael Reardon; widow of Paddy Reardon
  • Richard Elfyn as DCI Huw Parry; Swansea police (Series 1)
  • Lowri Palfrey as Erin Glynn; client (Series 1)
  • Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Madlen Vaughan; client (Series 2)
  • Brochan Evans as Dyfan Vaughan; Madlen's son (Series 2)
  • Rhashan Stone as DI Laurence Breeze; CID detective (Series 2)
  • Rhian Blythe as Anya Flye; Howells' bank manager (Series 2)
  • Richard Lynch as Hayden Swancott QC (Series 2)
  • Francesca Dimech as Mrs. Kriprinski (Series 2)

Episodes
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
185 November 2017 (2017-11-05)24 December 2017 (2017-12-24)S4C
2612 May 2019 (2019-05-12)16 June 2019 (2019-06-16)S4C

Series 1 (2017)
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateBBC One English airdateWales (S4C) viewers
(millions) [18]		BBC One viewers
11"Episode 1"Pip BroughtonMatthew Hall5 November 2017 (2017-11-05)10 July 20180.464.78
22"Episode 2"Pip BroughtonMatthew Hall & Sian Naiomi12 November 2017 (2017-11-12)17 July 20180.374.08
33"Episode 3"Pip BroughtonMatthew Hall19 November 2017 (2017-11-19)24 July 2018<0.204.24
44"Episode 4"Pip BroughtonMatthew Hall & Anwen Huws26 November 2017 (2017-11-26)31 July 20180.364.38
55"Episode 5"Andy NewberyMatthew Hall3 December 2017 (2017-12-03)7 August 20180.323.99
66"Episode 6"Andy NewberyMatthew Hall10 December 2017 (2017-12-10)14 August 2018<0.244.01
77"Episode 7"Pip BroughtonMatthew Hall17 December 2017 (2017-12-17)21 August 20180.224.13
88"Episode 8"Pip BroughtonMatthew Hall24 December 2017 (2017-12-24)28 August 20180.234.33

Series 2 (2019)
No.
overall		No. in
series		Title [19]Directed byWritten byOriginal air dateBBC One English airdateWales viewers
(millions)		BBC One viewers
91"Episode 1"Pip BroughtonMatthew Hall12 May 2019 (2019-05-12)23 July 20190.645.38
102"Episode 2"Judith DineMatthew Hall19 May 2019 (2019-05-19)30 July 20190.503.92
113"Episode 3"Judith DinePip Broughton26 May 2019 (2019-05-26)6 August 20190.38N/A (<3.84)[lower-alpha 1]
124"Episode 4"Pip BroughtonPip Broughton2 June 2019 (2019-06-02)13 August 20190.35N/A (<3.71)[lower-alpha 1]
135"Episode 5"Pip BroughtonMatthew Hall9 June 2019 (2019-06-09)20 August 20190.40N/A (<3.50)[lower-alpha 1]
146"Episode 6"Pip BroughtonMatthew Hall16 June 2019 (2019-06-16)27 August 20190.45N/A (<3.74)[lower-alpha 1]

Production

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 Guildhall was used as a courtroom. 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.[20][21]

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.[22]

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."[23]

Second series

With the final episode of Series 1 ending with a cliff-hanger, Huw Thomas, the BBC Wales arts and media correspondent, wrote on 6 May 2018, "A second series is in development."[24] The second series was commissioned later that year and first aired in Welsh (with English sub-titles) on S4C on 12 May 2019[8] and in English on BBC One in July–August.[25]

Music

Six original songs were composed for the series by 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[26] and the Welsh versions by Ela Hughes.[27] The score music was written by Laurence Love Greed.[28][29]

Notes
  1. Not reported in the weekly top 15 programmes for four-screen viewer ratings.
gollark: So just anti-new-things indoctrination, how wonderful.
gollark: The closest thing to ethics we did was philosophy for something like six hours a year due to weird timetabling, which actually was pretty good.
gollark: Oh dear.
gollark: Well, that sounds... worryingly authoritarian, especially for a literature book.
gollark: Very possible. I guess they might not actually be considering the cost to students.

References
  1. "S4C Press release: Three drama series to fire the imagination... Bang; Un Bore Mercher; Craith". s4c.wales. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  2. "Un Bore Mercher – BBC – S4C '...Mystery drama about a woman whose husband disappears.'". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  3. Welsh TV noir Keeping Faith leaves Scandis for dead Nicole Wynne, The Times, 29 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  4. Work begins on second series of record-breaking BBC Wales drama ...The eight-part series, starring Eve Myles (Broadchurch/Victoria), has broken a string of records over recent weeks... at bbc.co.uk/mediacentre. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  5. Record-breaking BBC Wales/S4C drama Keeping Faith to be broadcast across the UK on BBC One www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre, 15 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  6. Keeping Faith series 1 episode 1 at iPlayer after BBC1 broadcast bbc.co.uk/iplayer. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  7. "Keeping Faith wins big at Bafta Cymru awards in Cardiff". BBC News. 14 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  8. "Keeping Faith: BBC Wales drama back for second series". BBC News. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  9. Virtue, Graeme (27 February 2018). "Dimension overload: why TV can't get enough of parallel universes". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  10. Morgan Jeffery, 13 February 2018: "Eve Myles almost quit acting before she was offered new BBC series Keeping Faith" 'The Welsh-language version of Keeping Faith has already aired on S4C, under the title of Un Bore Mercher, with the series – and in particular Myles's performance – earning strong reviews.' Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  11. Gary Raymond, 2 March 2018– Reviews, Film & TV, Keeping Faith walesartsreview.org. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  12. Lydia Morris 14 February 2018: The actress who learned Welsh to land Keeping Faith lead role dailypost.co.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  13. Paul Flynn 'Show and Tell' (review) in Grazia magazine (ISSN 1120-5113), p.110, headed 'Like Broadchurch when it was good, Welsh production Keeping Faith is a TV trailblazer' ... "It's what happens to the gloriously little folk when big events calamitously fall onto the doorstep. The characters' reactions to Evan's disappearance are entirely human, local and believable. Catch up, please." Viewed 16 March 2018
  14. Keeping Faith is about to vanish from iPlayer. Watch this game-changing thriller while you still can. Accessed 3 May 2018
  15. Why a TV writer put his faith in Wales Daily Express, 9 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  16. Keeping Faith review – a brilliant Welsh answer to Broadchurch at theguardian.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  17. Keeping Faith: The BBC's hidden Welsh gem 5 July 2018 at crimefictionlover.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  18. "Weekly top 30 programmes – BARB". barb.co.uk.
  19. "Keeping Faith – Listings". Next Episode. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  20. Robert Harries, 19 April 2017, 'Filming for new TV drama gets under way in historic Carmarthen building' walesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  21. Footage gives public a rare glimpse inside a former Swansea courthouse used as a set for new BBC drama walesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  22. Jones, Rachel (6 November 2017). "Bilingual Television Thriller Keeping Faith Films in South Wales". BusinessNewsWales. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  23. Filming starts on new joint BBC Wales and S4C drama series 13 April 2017, BBC. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  24. Keeping Faith: BBC Wales drama success 'wonderful' www.bbc.co.uk/news. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  25. "Radio Times: When is Keeping Faith series 2 on TV?". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  26. Keeping Faith – EP Amy Wadge iTunes Store. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  27. Un Bore Mercher – EP Ela Hughes iTunes Store. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  28. Laurence Love Greed (Laurence's recent composer credits include the score for BBC thriller Keeping Faith), at fabermusic.com. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  29. Keeping Faith Soundtrack Tracklist (Un Bore Mercher) Music from TV Series (Type: Original Television Soundtrack/ Music by Laurence Love Greed/ Label: Laurence Love Greed/ Format: Digital Date: 4 April 2018) YouTube. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
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