Latest news with #BBCOneWales
Powys County Times
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Mid Wales railway to feature in BBC show with Ruth Jones
Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones visited a Mid Wales railway as part of an upcoming BBC documentary. Writer and actor Ruth Jones, best known for starring in and co-creating Gavin & Stacey, and comedian Steve Spiers took a trip on Brecon Mountain Railway, which will feature in a BBC One Wales documentary Ruth and Steve: From Merthyr with Love. The one-hour documentary will showcase the Welsh town's past and present, as well as a standout visit to the nearby railway through Mid Wales. As part of the documentary, Jones and Speirs spent a day immersed in the operations of the railway. They met volunteers and staff, examined restored steam locomotives, and gained an insight into the effort taken to run and operate the Brecon Mountain Railway. The segment underlines the line's role not just as a tourist attraction, but as a tribute and reminder of the region's industrial roots and community spirit. The programme forms part of a broader season on BBC Cymru Wales marking the bicentenary of Cyfarthfa Castle, exploring Merthyr's significance as the world's first industrial town and celebrating its ongoing cultural rejuvenation. Broadcast across four new shows on BBC One Wales, the series aims to challenge outdated perceptions and highlight the county borough's evolving identity. The railway was originally built in 1859 and constructed on part of the abandoned Brecon & Merthyr Railway, the 10-mile round journey takes travellers in all-weather observation coaches to let them admire the mountain views as the railway climbs to Torpantau before returning via Pontsticill Station. The Brecon Mountain Railway offers a stunning journey through the breath-taking Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park aboard meticulously restored steam locomotives.
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill return to Doctor Who
Former Doctor Who stars Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will return for a look behind the scenes of the BBC's long-running science fiction show as part of a docu-series. They will celebrate 20 years since Doctor Who's Cardiff-based revival by taking part in a special episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed, a series that delves into the BBC show. Scottish actress Gillan and English actor Darvill portrayed Amy Pond and Rory Williams, who were the companions when The Crown and House Of The Dragon star Matt Smith was the 11th Doctor in the 2010s. Since leaving the show, Darvill has won an Olivier Award for his turn as Curly McLain in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! and Gillan has been in the blockbuster franchises Guardians Of The Galaxy and Jumanji. She played Amy as a policewoman kissagram who met the Doctor when she was a small child, and remained on the show for two series alongside Birmingham-born Darvill as her panicky husband. The hour-long episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed will also see other iterations of the Doctor past and present - including Ncuti Gatwa, who currently plays the 15th Doctor, David Tennant, who has been the 10th and 14th Doctor, and Jodie Whittaker, who played the 13th Doctor - discuss the series. Also appearing will be people who are and have portrayed companions such as Varada Sethu, who is in the current series with Gatwa, Billie Piper and Mandip Gill, along with current and former showrunners Steven Moffat, Chris Chibnall and Russell T Davies. Presenter Steffan Powell promises "secrets" from the show by talking with former production designer Edward Thomas and costume designer Ray Holman, as well as unpacking what Wales has brought to the programme since it was revived in 2005. Since the time-travelling series was brought back two decades ago, after being on pause since the 1990s, Christopher Eccleston played the ninth Doctor for one season, before Tennant took on the role and continued for a spell with Piper playing his companion, Rose Tyler. Gatwa has played the Time Lord across two series since fellow Scottish actor Tennant bi-generated in 2023. His character is set to have a "high-stakes showdown" in his latest season's finale The Reality War on Saturday. The episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed will air on BBC One Wales and BBC Three on Tuesday.
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Two huge Doctor Who favourites return to BBC show amid Ncuti Gatwa 'axe' fears
Two Doctor Who favourites are returning to their roles on the hit BBC show amid fears the programme is in crisis following rumours Ncuti Gatwa was being 'axed' from the role Two Doctor Who stars are returning to the BBC show amid fears of a 'crisis'. There had been reports of Ncuti Gatwa being 'axed' from the BBC programme, something which was denied by the broadcaster. It has now been revealed that both Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill - who played Amy Pond and Rory Williams in the Matt Smith era of the show - will return for a special episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed. Steffan Powell will follow the journey of a string of previously announced Doctors, companions, and showrunners, including Ncuti Gatwa, David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, Varada Sethu, Billie Piper, Pearl Mackie, Mandip Gill, Steven Moffat, Chris Chibnall, and Russell T Davies as they discuss the secrets from behind the scenes. Former production designer Edward Thomas and costume designer Ray Holman are also on hand to discuss the exciting moments - both in front and behind the camera - that make the show what it is. A special hour-long episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed will air on Saturday June 7th at 6am on BBC iPlayer, and air on BBC One Wales and BBC Three later that day, a week after the season two finale of Doctor Who - The Reality War. There had been reports that Ncuti would be leaving the show after two series when he pulled out of announcing the UK's jury scores at the Eurovision Song Contest a few weeks back. A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror that Ncuti had not been 'axed' from the show. They said: "Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been 'axed' is pure fiction." As for whether the series will continue, the BBC explained: "As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs and any other claims are just pure speculation. The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and we still have an entire spin off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, to air. And as for the rest, we never comment on the Doctor and future storylines." Karen left the show in 2012, and at the time said of her departure: "I just can't believe it's real. I have just always thought in my head I am in the show until the final episode airs, so I thought I had loads of time. But now it is approaching. It is a really weird sensation because I can't wait to see the episode and can't wait for everyone else to see it – but I don't want it to air at the same time. "I was emotional for about two weeks filming the episode and I was crying at everything. Things that weren't even sad, anything would set me off. Everything was already bubbling under the surface. So in my final scene it is not even acting, it is real because I knew I had to leave in real life and I had to leave Matt and Arthur."
North Wales Live
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
BBC One's new comedy Death Valley gets a hammering on X
It was widely anticipated and looked forward to but the new BBC One Wales Sunday night drama Death Valley has had an absolute pummelling on social media platform X. Viewers berated it as "amateur" and "badly scripted" and "terminally dreadful". Some people wondered how "absolute tosh" like this got a primetime slot. Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth star in the brand new comedy crime drama about a retired actor and a "disarming young detective" fighting crime in the Welsh valleys. In its blurb the BBC said they'd make the perfect crime-fighting duo - if only they could get along. Viewers were left unimpressed and didn't seem to think the pair were perfect for anything. After tonight's first episode some branded the drama "rubbish" and "dreadful" and "absolute tripe" - and those were the kinder people. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter. Tom Watson writing as @Watson950 said:"If you think #MidsomerMurders is awful, the @BBC 's new #DeathValley is terminally dreadful. Ham acting, implausible script and a waste of Timothy Spall's talent." @JoyClifty1 had this to say about the acting: "Oh dear this was horrendous- the woman playing a policewoman is dreadful!!". Some others were more complimentary. Sharon Pritchard posted on X "We were chuckling away. On to the next episode on BBC IPlayer. Cracking Sunday night viewing! @gordonbennet230 wrote: "Really enjoying Death Valley on BBC 1 #DeathValley". The six parter series also features Welsh actors Steffan Rhodri as wholesome DCI Barry Clarke and Melanie Walters who plays Janie's mum Yvonne. Sian Gibson from Peter Kay's Car Share, Alexandria Riley of Silo and The Pembrokeshire Murders also appear as does English actress Patricia Hodge who appears as Helena. The whole series was shot in Wales with Spall portraying John Chapel, the favourite TV character of Det Sgt Janie Mallowen who idolises him since his TV show Caesar helped her through dark times. Writer, Paul Doolan was reported as saying he liked the idea of a TV actor who played a detective, and a fan of them, and the awkward relationship between them. One of the tensions is he's English, she's Welsh too. The series was shot in locations including Insole Court in Cardiff, Penarth and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. lovely, funny and Welsh. What's not to love?" You can read her review here. Death Valley airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sundays at 20:15 and the entire boxset is on iplayer.
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC One's new comedy Death Valley gets a hammering on X
BBC One's new comedy Death Valley gets a hammering on X Harsh viewers described the new comedy drama set in Wales as amateur, terminally dreadful and a "waste of Timothy Spall's talent" Timothy Spall as John Chapel and Gwyneth Keyworth as Janie Mallowan (Image: BBC ) It was widely anticipated and looked forward to but the new BBC One Wales Sunday night drama Death Valley has had an absolute pummelling on social media platform X. Viewers berated it as "amateur" and "badly scripted" and "terminally dreadful". Some people wondered how "absolute tosh" like this got a primetime slot. Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth star in the brand new comedy crime drama about a retired actor and a "disarming young detective" fighting crime in the Welsh valleys. In its blurb the BBC said they'd make the perfect crime-fighting duo - if only they could get along. Viewers were left unimpressed and didn't seem to think the pair were perfect for anything. After tonight's first episode some branded the drama "rubbish" and "dreadful" and "absolute tripe" - and those were the kinder people. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Content cannot be displayed without consent Tom Watson writing as @Watson950 said:"If you think #MidsomerMurders is awful, the @BBC 's new #DeathValley is terminally dreadful. Ham acting, implausible script and a waste of Timothy Spall's talent." @JoyClifty1 had this to say about the acting: "Oh dear this was horrendous- the woman playing a policewoman is dreadful!!". Article continues below Content cannot be displayed without consent Some others were more complimentary. Sharon Pritchard posted on X "We were chuckling away. On to the next episode on BBC IPlayer. Cracking Sunday night viewing! @gordonbennet230 wrote: "Really enjoying Death Valley on BBC 1 #DeathValley". The six parter series also features Welsh actors Steffan Rhodri as wholesome DCI Barry Clarke and Melanie Walters who plays Janie's mum Yvonne. Sian Gibson from Peter Kay's Car Share, Alexandria Riley of Silo and The Pembrokeshire Murders also appear as does English actress Patricia Hodge who appears as Helena. The whole series was shot in Wales with Spall portraying John Chapel, the favourite TV character of Det Sgt Janie Mallowen who idolises him since his TV show Caesar helped her through dark times. Content cannot be displayed without consent Writer, Paul Doolan was reported as saying he liked the idea of a TV actor who played a detective, and a fan of them, and the awkward relationship between them. One of the tensions is he's English, she's Welsh too. The series was shot in locations including Insole Court in Cardiff, Penarth and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Article continues below Content cannot be displayed without consent But not all viewers were so critical. It was also described . Our review Inigo Jones had this to say about it - "it's lovely, funny and Welsh. What's not to love?" You can read her review here. Death Valley airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sundays at 20:15 and the entire boxset is on iplayer.
