Netflix UK acquires ‘Dal y Mellt’ as first Welsh language drama

Dal y Mellt (Rough Cut)

Netflix has acquired its first Welsh-language only drama, picking up local pubcaster S4C’s crime series Dal y Mellt (aka Rough Cut) for UK subscribers, following a deal with distributor Abacus Media Rights.

Produced by Vox Pictures, the 6 x 60-minute series is an adaptation of Iwan ‘Iwcs’ Roberts’ first novel of the same name. Roberts also wrote the script and co-produced the drama, alongside Llŷr Morus, with Huw Chiswell directing. It will stream on Netflix UK from April 2023.

Dal y Mellt was released last October as a Box Set on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer and stars Gwïon Morris Jones as Carbo, who is drawn into a world of wrongdoing, lies, secrets and heartbreak. Mark Lewis Jones, Graham Land and Siw Hughes also star.

Speaking to TBI last year, S4C CEO Sian Doyle shared her aim to bring Welsh-language content to wider audiences.

“We want to grow the Welsh language. It’s about attracting new audiences in Wales with relevant, quality content, as well as taking Wales out into the rest of the world,” said Doyle at the time.

In a statement about the deal, the exec said: “To sell a Welsh-language only series to a major hlobal streamer like Netflix sets out our ambition to take Welsh talent and language to the world and creates further exciting opportunities for S4C.”