The Welsh-language soap opera Pobol y Cwm, which has launched the careers of several Hollywood stars, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Set in the fictional village of Cwmderi in south-west Wales, the show first aired on the BBC in 1974 and has since become a beloved institution in Welsh television.
Over the years, Pobol y Cwm has featured several notable actors, including Ioan Gruffudd (Titanic, Fantastic Four), Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones), Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon), and Alexandra Roach (Utopia).
Series producer Dafydd Llewelyn praised the soap’s impact, stating, “Pobol y Cwm has been instrumental in the careers of several notable individuals, and more importantly, it has been pivotal in the lives of individuals and families for decades.”
First broadcast on BBC Wales on 16 October 1974, the debut episode opened with a lighthearted discussion at the village post office about late mail delivery.
In 1982, the soap moved to the Welsh-language channel S4C, where it continues to air three episodes weekly.
Veteran cast members include Rachel Thomas, who had starred alongside Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in Under Milk Wood (1971), and Lisabeth Miles, who plays Megan Harries and has remained with the show for its entire 50-year run.
Reflecting on her long-term role, Miles said, “What makes Pobol y Cwm special are the stories, the characters, and the collaborations. It’s an essential part of broadcasting in Welsh and for Wales.”
Many actors got their start on Pobol y Cwm, including Iwan Rheon, who made his screen debut at 17, and Ioan Gruffudd, who was still in school when he joined the show in 1989.
Alexandra Roach also appeared as a teenager, while stars like Michael Sheen, Ruth Jones, and Russell Grant have made cameo appearances in recent years.
The show has brought Welsh culture and language into the spotlight, offering generations of viewers engaging storylines, including memorable moments like a wrestling match between 1980s star Giant Haystacks and Welsh competitor El Bandito in 1990.
As it reaches its half-century milestone, Pobol y Cwm remains a cherished staple of Welsh television.
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