The Rapture, starring Ruth Madeley and India Amarteifio, launched on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, July 26. The five-part series, set and filmed in Wales, is an adaptation of Liz Jensen's bestselling eco-thriller about a teenager accused of murdering her mother who also claims to be able to foresee catastrophes.
A heatwave that no longer feels far-fetched
The drama is set during an extreme heatwave, with temperatures reaching around 40C in south Wales - a scenario that no longer seems so implausible. Over the last couple of months, Wales has seen unprecedented temperatures, including a high of 35.9C in Cardiff at the end of June.
Author Liz Jensen said: "The story feels far more timely now than when I wrote the book. The series foregrounds contemporary issues like climate anxiety, corruption, spiritual yearning, and the deep bonds we form in times of crisis – to thrilling effect."
'Life imitating art, art imitating life'
Lead actress India Amarteifio told Radio Times she hoped the show "will entice audiences who maybe would have been turned off by a series about the subject", and praised the script for not being "super preachy".
She said: "There are moments where we very outrightly talk about it [climate change], but also, you see us sweating, it's hot, everyone's in summer clothes. There's just this constant stickiness, the sepia tones. It makes you feel quite hot when you're watching it."
Referring to real-life weather, she added: "And from my understanding, looking online and doing my own research, and also what's happening here, we're sat doing an interview right now and it's 34 degrees outside, it's really unprecedented and uncomfortable. So the fact that it's like life imitating art, art imitating life, is probably a really good time for something like this to come out and to start these conversations and to get people rethinking and remembering the climate and its importance in our lives and how much we have to look after it."
Filming in real Welsh heat
Ruth Madeley described the challenges of filming in Wales last year, telling the BBC: "I want it on record that we were in Port Talbot in 33-degree heat. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't been there myself."
Welsh actor Iwan Rheon, who also stars, said: "It's always nice to come back and film in Wales. There have been quite a variety of locations. Margam Park, which is really nice. We filmed a lot in Port Talbot and it was like 35 degrees, which is bizarre, because I don't think it's ever been that hot there."
The Rapture is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
