Pobol y Cwm (People of the Valley) is a Welsh language television soap opera produced by the BBC since October 1974. It is the longest-running television soap opera produced by the BBC, transmitted on BBC Wales television between 1974 and 1982 and then transferred to the Welsh language television station S4C when it opened in that year. It was briefly shown in the rest of the UK in 1994 on BBC2, with English subtitles. Five episodes are produced every week, with an omnibus edition shown on Sundays. The show is set in the fictional village of Cwmderi, supposedly located somewhere in south west Wales roughly between Llanelli and Carmarthen, though little effort is made to ensure that all the cast speak with Carmarthenshire accents. Most of the village activity centres on the pub, the Deri Arms. Outdoor filming for the pub takes place at The Sportsman's Rest in Peterston-super-Ely. While most of the cast are unknown to the English-speaking world, Ioan Gruffudd – who later became an international film star – played the part of Gareth Wyn Harries between 1987 and 1994. Other well-known faces who have appeared include Rachel Thomas, Huw Garmon, Gillian Elisa, Aneirin Hughes, Gwenno Saunders (of The Pipettes) and Michael Aspel. In October 2006, Imogen Thomas made a cameo appearance.
Cast
- Dai 'Sgaffalde' Ashurst - Emyr Wyn
- Sabrina Ashurst - Gillian Elisa
- Diane Francis - Victoria Plucknett
- Jason Francis - Rhys Ap Hywel
- Sara Francis - Helen Rosser Davies
- Mark Jones - Arwyn Davies
- Debbie Jones - Maria Pride
- Kathleen Jones - Siw Hughes
- Stacey Jones - Shelley Rees
- Ricky Jones - Tomos West
- Johnny Mac - Brian Hibbert
- Sheryl Hughes - Lisa Victoria
- Julie Hughes - Grug Maria
- Brandon Monk - Nicholas McGaughey
- Garry Monk - Richard Lynch
- Britt Monk - Donna Edwards
- Ryon Gower - Sion Myer
- Rhiannedd Frost - Lisa Palfrey
- Sion White - Jeremi Cockram
- Huw White - Rhys Hartley
- Gwyneth Jones - Llinor ap Gwynedd
- Anita Pierce - Nia Caron
- Kelly - Lauren Phillips
- Jinx - Mark Flanagan
- Erin - Kate Jarman
- Kim - Rosalind Richards
- Rhodri Lewis - Marc Llewellyn
- DI Gwyn Lewis - Emyr Bell
- Lydia Lewis - Elen Morgan
- Ronnie Steadman - Wayne Cater
- Lucy Steadman - Heledd Baskerville
- Denzil Rees - Gwyn Elfyn
- Anti Marian Rees - Buddug Williams
- Johnny 'Mac' Torino - Brian Hibbard
- Liam Torino - Sion Ifan Williams
- Macs White - Rhys Bidder
- Jon Y Post - John Harries
Notable people
Many actors have contributed towards the series over the past thirty years, including :
- Geraint Benney entertainer from Aberdare
