A new TV drama has been hailed as a Welsh cross between Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and the Italian Job – with a horsebox in tow.
The HBX model provided by Ifor Williams Trailers – based in Corwen - plays a key role in the S4C series because the plot of Dal y Mellt (Catching the Lightning) revolves largely around a magnificent, jet black stallion called Chief.
The show is based on the contemporary thriller novel of the same name, written by Iwan ‘Iwcs’ Roberts, from Trawsfynydd, and set in rural Meirionethshire, Cardiff and Soho in London.
The six part series made by Cardiff-based Vox Pictures will be shown on S4C this autumn.
Among the stars is Mark Lewis Jones, originally from Rhos, near Wrexham, whose long list of screen credits includes blockbuster films like Master and Commander and Robin Hood alongside Russell Crowe, Game of Thrones and more recently, Keeping Faith.
In the series, Mark plays a shady character called Mici Ffin, who runs a garage and suffers from PTSD.
He said: “Superficially, he’s as cool as a cucumber but underneath, there are many problems. He’s a complicated man. That’s always good to play and he’s a lovable rogue which is always fun.
“The horse called Chief is like another character in the series. He’s pretty spectacular and that’s important because the character’s important and a big part of the story.”
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Chief is actually a nine-year-old Friesian horse called Odysseus, named after the hero of Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey.
The spectacular stallion will be familiar to millions of viewers from other TV shows and films like The Crown and Mary Queen of Scots.
Veteran actor Dyfan Roberts, originally from Rhydymain but now living in Llanrug, plays an embittered widower called Gronw, the father of Antonia who owns Chief.
He said: "To a large extent, Gronw drives the plot. Something quite tragic has happened in his family and he wants revenge. He wants payback.
“Although it’s a crime thriller, there’s also a lot of humour. The characters are warm and very Welsh.
“It’s like a cross between the Guy Ritchie film, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and the Michael Caine classic, The Italian Job, with a Welsh twist.
“It’s very interesting and I hope that the characters appeal to the Welsh audience. I’m sure they will.”
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