Television enthusiasts are being captivated by a dark detective drama that has been described as "not to be missed." The series, which originally aired in Welsh on S4C in 2013, has found a new wave of popularity among audiences seeking gripping crime thrillers.
A Welsh Noir Masterpiece
Set in the "beautiful" yet "bleak" coastal town of Aberystwyth, Hinterland (titled Y Gwyll in its original Welsh-language format) is a Welsh noir police procedural created by Ed Talfan and Ed Thomas. It became the first BBC television drama to feature dialogue in both English and Welsh, with the English-language edition debuting on the BBC in 2014. The show centres on the brilliant but deeply troubled DCI Tom Mathias, who investigates sinister murder cases while attempting to escape the haunting demons of his past.
The official synopsis reads: "On the run from his London past, brilliant but troubled DCI Tom Mathias isolates himself on the outskirts of a town filled with secrets as dark and destructive as his own. Partnered with the intelligent and complex DI Mared Rhys, they form an engaging relationship as they embark on solving cases that involve the ultimate anti-social crime: murder."
Cast and Production
Richard Harrington leads the cast as DCI Tom Mathias, with Mali Harries portraying DI Mared Rhys. The ensemble also features Alex Harries as DC Lloyd Elis, Hannah Daniel as DS Siân Owens, and Aneirin Hughes as Chief Superintendent Brian Prosser. Additional cast members include Anamaria Marinca, Geraint Morgan, Sian Reese-Williams, and Siôn Alun Davies.
The debut series was predominantly shot in Aberystwyth and the surrounding Ceredigion county on Wales's west coast, across a 124-day filming schedule in 2013. Each scene was captured twice — once in Welsh and once in English — allowing for both language versions to be produced simultaneously.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Praise
The programme currently enjoys an impressive 83% score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The Guardian described the premise as "spectacular," while The Arts Desk remarked: "This isn't West Wales as seen in the brochure. The place is drenched not only in rain but also blood, while the landscapes are grimly wintry, as are the faces of everyone involved in this deliciously dark show."
Viewers have likewise heaped praise upon the series. One IMDb user commented: "Spellbinding. More please BBC, this is what I buy my license for." Another enthused: "The best Welsh series ever. My brother and I watched Broadchurch and we were so sad when it was over. This is the perfect replacement. Riveting and a total masterpiece." A third remarked: "The dark jewel in the BBC's crown. Excellent. Intriguing. Haunting. Beautiful and bleak. Strong characters and performances."
A fourth viewer shared similar praise: "I love those British crime/mystery series such as Lewis, Wallander, Vera, DCI Banks, George Gently and Shetland. To them you can add Hinterland," while another declared: "Hinterland is not to be missed."
Streaming Information
All three series of Hinterland, comprising 26 episodes in total, are currently available to stream free of charge on BBC iPlayer. Fans can fully immerse themselves in the action and discover why this Welsh noir has become a beloved favourite among crime drama enthusiasts.
